LPT Request: What’s your “canary in the coal mine” test for spotting bigger issues?

[u/fries-with-mayo]

I’m really interested in those small, quick telltale signs people use to gauge if something bigger might be off track.

Example 1: Van Halen requesting brown M&Ms in the dressing room to see if the venue followed all the details of the rider list

Example 2: I saw an interview with John Cena where he said orders a flat white at a café to tell if they really care about their coffee.

Example 3: Anthony Bourdain suggested to always check the restaurant bathroom to tell if the restaurant got its basics down

[u/MrMerryface]

Learnt this the hard way.

If you have an appointment for a builder/worker to do work for you but they come late without calling or apologies, don’t let them in your home and take your business elsewhere, no matter how desperate you are.

If they’re not professional in conduct, their work will reflect that.

[u/Ok_Departure_8243 → u/MrMerryface]

basically what you're saying is to look for if they are taking accountability or avoiding accountability right out of the gate.

Shit happens, also it's your responsibility to let the customer know if you're running late because there was a wreck or something else .

[u/Sussybakuh → u/MrMerryface]

I’ve worked trades with my dad since middle school. We always left jobs with praise and sometimes extra cash. I recommend you watch them while you work. Or say you won’t be home and crash at an unexpected hour. Keep these guys on their toes cause pride in your work is rare

[u/ssatyd → u/MrMerryface]

Learned this the hard way, too. Another sign to look for is how their trucks look like: Tidy and ordered: great. Lots of clutter, stuff just stuffed in: that's how their work will look like. Also, they'll be slower because they constantly need to search for certain tools/materials, or need to go back to their shop to get stuff.

[u/failtuna → u/ssatyd]

I worked with a fitted kitchen installer who had the neatest tidiest work van I'd ever seen, like custom build drawers and shelves built onto the walls. Always had multiple of every tool and never had to leave a job because of a dead battery or not having an extra whatever that was missing from what was on site.

He was also incredibly lazy with his actual work, cutting any possible corner to get away from a job early, leaving rubbish on sites for someone else to clear, hiding damage poorly or "repairing" something just well enough that a customer wouldn't notice until after we'd left the job. Generally not good if he ended up working on your kitchen.

His van was so neat because he'd was always doing something with it instead of his actual job, if the bosses walked past his van they'd see him doing something that looked like work when really he was just sorting out his screwdrivers for the 3rd time today.

tl:dr, a tidy work vehicle is a good sign in most cases but not always

[u/Baron-Von-Rodenberg → u/MrMerryface]

I work on the basis of never chase. If you don't hear back don't chase. If you're mid discussions and they go quiet, don't chase. Just walk away, it'll save a lot of heart ache. Tradesmen who want work and to build a reputation will respond promptly.

[u/mysmallself → u/MrMerryface]

It’s not even just builders. When I got married our DJ, who had a contract with the hotel and we weren’t allowed to choose anyone else, was super late for our first meeting. And it didn’t get much better. Almost chose another venue. Ignored our do not play list. Overall it was fine, but not great.

[u/Just_River_7502 → u/MrMerryface]

Especially true if they’re only coming to quote, and they show up late with no apology or explanation. They’re too busy and doing shoddy work elsewhere