"SCAMPED WORK."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19179, 9 December 1927, Page 8

"SCAMPED WORK."

THE BUILDING TRADE.

FAILURES DUE TO PRICECUTTING.

The question of price-cutting amongst building contractors and sub-contractors in undertaking work called for by tender, and consequent failure and "scamping" of work, was referred to by tho members of the Allied Building Trades Association at a meeting last evening. The matter aroso from a suggestion mentioned in tho minutes that the Association should take action.

The secretary (Mr J. Greig) said that in some cases builders, sub-contractors, and the public were treated shamefully by those out after work at any price. Work was "scamped" disgracefully on occasion, and price-cutting resulted in frequent failures.

Mr W. H. Winsor said that such a statement would be very dangerous to let out to the public before it had been carefully investigated. Mr Greig: I know of work being "scamped" at the present time, though not, by members of the Association. Mr Winsor said that this was practically an attack on the builders, but in every part of tho world cut prices prevailed in times of depression. It would need somebody more than human to devise a scheme that would prevent such cutting in times of depression. The chairman (Mr A. Soy) said that the complaints referred particularly to young men. starting in the building line, and without capital. Mr Greig said it was suggestod that builders and sub-contractors should put up a bond before any tender was accepted, showing they wero financial. Mr Winsor said that would be very difficult for some young men starting in business. Those.who failed were usually the men who had no money, combined with unwillingness to work hard. Those whose capital was labour, succeeded. Mr Greig said that all concerned in the building trade suffered as a result of men without sufficient capital undertaking work. Mr Winsor: And who won't work. Mr Greig: No, those who want too much work. Mr Winsor said that very often the best of builders would cut a price on a tender to keep his staff going. He also was doing harm to others in tho trade aud preventing their taking on the work at a fair profit.

Mr J. W. Francis blamed the merchants for giving too much credit to those starting out as contractors or sub-contractors.

The chairman attributed the downfall of many young men to getting "swelled head" and thinking they knew all there was to know about contracting and tendering. Mr Winsor said that many of them did not have "swelled heads," but were diffident about approaching older builders and asking advice.

Mr Greig suggested that tho Association might organise classes to teach young men pricing and kindred tendering procedure. The Association decided that, although such complaint as had been received did not refer to the Allied Building Trades Association, the Association would be prepared to appoint an inspector in any case where "scamped" work was alleged.