For homeowners across the UK, finding a trustworthy tradesperson can be a stressful and costly gamble. A recent incident in Manchester serves as a stark warning against prioritising the lowest price over proven quality and experience.
The Bargain That Went Badly Wrong
A Manchester resident needed laminate flooring fitted in a small box room and sought quotes from local handymen. He contacted Jordan, a multi-skilled and qualified handyman with 15 years of experience, who provided a fixed quote of £180 for the job, including a reminder to purchase underlay.
Seeking a better deal, the homeowner attempted to negotiate, revealing he had received another offer for just £75 and asking if Jordan could match it. Jordan politely declined, stating he couldn't make it work for that price but wished him well in getting the job done by his Friday deadline.
A Shocking Outcome and a Viral Warning
The story didn't end there. Shortly after, Jordan received a panicked follow-up message from the same man, asking him to inspect the completed work as he believed it had been done incorrectly. The accompanying photo revealed a flooring disaster.
The laminate had been laid in a haphazard and unprofessional manner. Pieces were not aligned or cut to consistent sizes, with some planks mistakenly placed in identical positions across the floor. Jordan described the work as "shocking" and shared the image on social media with the apt caption: "Cheapest quote is usually a cowboy."
Public Reaction and Expert Advice
The post on TikTok sparked hundreds of responses from people sharing their own experiences with tradespeople. A common theme emerged, reinforcing the age-old adage that a good job isn’t cheap and a cheap job isn’t good.
One commenter noted they happily pay a premium for a reliable handyman who never misses deadlines or requires re-dos. Another added, "when will people learn that cheaper isn't better and can actually cost you more then just going with the professional first."
Perhaps most telling was the input from a professional in the industry. "I own a flooring company," one person wrote, "and I would say at least half of my work over the last few months has been correcting or re-doing other people’s work."
This cautionary tale from Manchester highlights the hidden costs of choosing a cut-price service. While the initial quote of £75 seemed like a saving, the botched job will likely require a complete re-fit, doubling the original cost and causing significant hassle—a clear case of false economy for any homeowner.
