Is it just me?
I have recently found it easy to get several tradespeople around to measure up for a quote on work I need doing, then hearing nothing from them.
Even when I call them, no reply comes.
It is not minor, silly jobs I am talking about. These are lucrative jobs for someone.
As the owner of a trade business this is something of a regular occurrence for most. You will find that most trades are between 6-18 months booked ahead of time, they can charge what they like and most don’t do their best work possible because they are in a rush to the next.
I don’t like that style of business but it’s the norm. What is it your are trying to do renovation wise?
Funnily I think this is a common thing as my dad has had numerous dealings with different trades people who all have done this or done a job and something is needed sorting after and their communication skills vanish!
With so many men all getting into trade as a secure job for income it makes it harder to know who is the best to trust
Ha - so I actually run a trade on the side here in the states. I hear that all the time I get back to people even if it is “thank you but no - I don’t think this is a job I am suitable for” so many people just fail to follow up.
I dread it when I require a tradesperson. Such a minefield out there! Usually go by word of mouth recommendations to hopefully reduce chances of being ripped off too much.
Yes, I contact ones friends and neighbours have used too, but they are so busy and taking no extra work.
I’m a chippy in Brum if that helps anyone 
So I know most are in the UK and how we do things in the US are a bit different. However I always suggest that people pay no more than they have to up front and pay upon approved completion and hold off money until you have had an opportunity to fully review everything and sign off.
I’ve never had a client pay up front or a retainer for services. I must be going wrong somewhere 
In the US, at least in my region, you typically pay something (but not full price) up front, even if it is just paying for the materials. Another good rule of thumb in my region is the labor will cost approximately as much as the materials, although with the covid-reaction driven price increases over the last several years, this is not as accurate as it used to be
I do not know about the other side of the ocean, but there is a huge shortage of labor in the trades. This is mostly due to an entire generation (or two) of children in the public school system constantly being told by advisors that it is embarassing to work with one’s hands, and the only honoable path in life is to attend college and somehow become a manager of some sort. Many kida graduate college having learned absolutely nothing useful or marketable. They find themselves unemployed, watch some social media about home improvement, think it looks easy and enjoyable, and decide to call themselves contractors. Therefore, when you call a tradesman, you either get someone who is very experienced, expensive, and covered up with work so they can pick and choose the jobs they take on, or you get no experience, low quality, low price, but quick availability