BUILDING TRADE.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 11, 19 October 1871, Page 3

BUILDING TRADE.

To tbe Editor of the Thames guardian. Sir, —Some days ago a letter appeared in your paper on the subject of the building trade. As no one else has seen lit to say anything further on the matter, perhaps you will permit me to give the builders and contractors an idea. It is an old saying that “ There is roguery in all trades,” and I am sorry to have to say that there is an amount of sharp practice in this line of business, which very nearly approaches to roguery, and in order, ns much as possible to avoid the possibility of such a sysiem of over-reaching as is engendered by the present excessive competition, I would suggest that the builders hold a meeting, and form themselves into an association, consisting of members, committee, chairman and secretary. Let the committee meet once a month to draw up and alter, from time to time, a regular tariff or list of prices to be charged, by the yard, foot, or square. The members of the association to pledge themselves to adhere strictly to those prices when making their estimates. By this means much of the cutting and underhand work now going on would be done away with, it would become out of the question, and there would be nothing like the ridiculous discrepancies in tenders which are now seen every day. This is merely an idea, I leave it for the builders to follow up or reject it, as they please.—l am, &c., Carpenter.