When we bought our home in Craigellachie in 2014, whilst it was already a beautiful house, it needed some work doing to make it our home.
We always said it would be a 5 year project and here we are some 4 years in and pretty much on schedule.
We have been really fortunate in finding some excellent local tradesmen who have probably spent more time in the house than we have, carrying out the transformation. These guys are not just really good at what they do, they are also really nice guys and after 4 years, we are proud and very pleased to call them friends.
So, without further ado, here’s the shameless plug for the local tradesmen of Craigellachie and Aberlour.
The Painter Decorator.
George Mackenzie is a superb painter decorator and all round nice guy. A bit of a perfectionist, his work has been flawless and we trust him implicitly. Not only has he undertaken all of the decorating for us, he has also become something of a site manager, organizing and facilitating other works. Most importantly of all, George is a fanatical angler and responsible for getting me onto the Spey at Kinermony. His single Spey cast is phenomenal and will feature in future posts.
Probably the most difficult job undertaken to date was the restoration of some mahogany wood paneling that lines the entrance hallway, stairways and landing. The wood had been painted grey by a previous owner, but George managed to return it to its original state, showing the glorious patina in the wood. I can’t recommend George enough.
George Mackenzie 01340 871014; gmackenzie-decorators@live.co.uk
The Plumber
Neil ‘Geordie’ Wilcox is a reliable, no nonsense plumber who gets the job done with the minimum of fuss. I still have no idea why he is called Geordie, but frankly, I don’t care. What I do care about is that Geordie always responds to my frantic phone calls when something has gone wrong and will always provide a thorough and professional job.
As well as changing taps, replacing old lead pipe and fixing leaks, Geordie has solved some bigger and far less pleasant problems for us, including replacing the old Victorian drainage system that had become choked with tree roots. Geordie is another nice guy whom I can’t recommend highly enough.
Neil Wilcox, Craigellachie Plumbing and Heating 01340 871023; geordie.wilcox@btinternet.com
The Electrician
Derek Thomson of Aberlour Electrics has spent an awful lot of time under the floors and in the roof crawlspaces of our house. I dread to think about the spiders he must have encountered along the way as we have some whoppers. An excellent electrician, Derek has changed out old cabling, installed new power points and consumer units, added LAN cabling and outlets as well as installing power to the garage, cellar and attic. Another really nice guy, Derek is also a volunteer fireman , for which he has my respect although I hope we never need that particular service.
Derek Thomson Aberlour Electrics 01340 881687; aberlourelectric@btconnect.com
The Carpenter
Jim Morrison has been our joiner in the house, helped on occasion by his equally talented son. Jim has changed doors, encouraged long painted-over sash windows to open, changed out rotted window frames, built new guard rails, renewed stair case bannisters and boxed-in pipes. Probably the biggest job taken on by Jim was resolving some dry rot issues we discovered in the house. As well as taking care of all the affected woodwork, Jim coordinated the specialist treatment, building and plastering and organized our old friend Geordie the plumber to reroute pipes and George to complete the redecoration.
As well as being an excellent carpenter, cabinet maker and joiner, Jim is a music fan. We have often compared our broadly similar musical tastes and listened to the odd LP. For the uninitiated that’s the 12” piece of black plastic that spins around. We like them; Jim and I, because we are old school.
James Morrison and Son Joiners. 01340 871016; jamesmorrisonjoiners@btinternet.com
These are some of the key guys who are transforming our house into a home. There are a lot more and I shall share them with you in the coming weeks.
We are very grateful to them all for their sterling work.
Awww, I wish they get to read and see how appreciative of their work you are. This is why a worker should do his job to the best of his or her ability. This post is more honorable than even the pay you paid them.
The guys always do a great job and are nice people to know. That’s why we count them as friends now, as well as awesome tradesmen 👍
This is so amazing. You are very apreciative encouraging them to work harder. I wish all employers are like you.
The guys are awesome and are now friends. Very glad we met them
For you to still remember them and write for them to be known and contacted then they were really awesome trademen. kudos to them for a job well done.
They still appear now and again as I think up a new job, but better yet, they are now friends And come around socially. Really pleased we met these guys.
You are an awesome hirer too,I’m sure its one reason why you met all these awesome trademen too.Thanks for putting up this for them.
All thanks to you Graham, you also have chosen the best out of the best. Seriously you are an humble person. Thanks for sharing
This is nice of you..hope those people are paying you for advertisement
😁 ha! You think I should get some discount?. The guys do a great job, and George in particular goes above and beyond. No they do a great job for a Fair price and I am happy to recommend them
Its great that your great team helped you renovate your house in much less time than yo had planned. They seem experienced and experts in what they do.
It’s not finished yet. Close, but still things to do. Watch this space 😁
What I do care about is that Geordie always responds to my frantic phone calls when something has gone wrong and will always provide a thorough and professional job. I will describe what Geordie exhibits as a nice character and a lover of his clients. Nice of him
They are all good guys 👍
Wow…you’re the only one who sees them and know how they do their sterling work. Nice one, Graham!
Thanks
Sounds like a good group of fellas. Is it just a coincidence that the guy helping you with DOORS was named Jim Morrison? I hope you know the band reference. Thanks for listing these services. Very vouch worthy.
Ha! Nice one, I had missed the connection 😁
Good luck on the house fixing. This is gonna be quiet a project and I know they can pull it off. Maybe on your next blogs you can show the finished product once its over. Congratulations.
That’s not a bad idea. I will look into that. Thanks.
Trade is the best business you can do to earn money for your living. The writer of this article tried for help people in advertising their business.
I think we should all promote those that do a good job.
Appreciation is more of encouragement to me. You have done well to show an appreciative gesture for encouraging them to improved work next time. Sooner or later, am pretty sure we gonna congratulate you on the completion.
I hope so 🤞🏻🤞🏻
Graham I don’t like this response of yours. You should be positive. Say so shall it be rather than say you hope so. You deserve it.
thank you, I shall bear this in mind.
Yeah man Tom. It shall be well boss.
Great professional you’ve got here. Hope you loved all their outputs? Enjoy your home pal
I certainly did and still do.
Yea, you are right. Always go for the best
Lesson learnt “when you are good at what you do,people will recommend you”…
well I will 👌
I can see why these guys come very highly recommended. Anyone who would want to get things the right way will definitely have no hesitation seeking them out for any type of home decoration need or renovation. They will really appreciate this little advertisement you put up for them for their stellar work.
I hope so, That would be nice.
These guys sound like pros. This is a must list for home renovation. Thanks for the recommendations!
Thanks for reading.
What a captivating words! Arrgghh! Shameless plug for the local tradesmen – I believe the tradesmen are actually seeing this!
I made sure they all read the article. Always pays to stay in with your tradesmen. Plus, it’s genuine, they are all great at what they do and nice people as well.
Wow 😘. That’s really great. I guess they’ll be so proud of you with your coined words. Hmmm
That is a good team you got there… I do not know how big the property is but it seems like an extensive project. No wonder you must have the best. Good luck to you…
It’s not huge but needed a lot doing. We are still not quite there, but almost. 2020 will see the interior pretty much-done so we can begin to concentrate on the exterior and grounds.
Bern fortunate in finding some excellent local tradesmen to me is an understatement. You are also a lucky man that knows what you need and how to go get it.
They are all good guys as well as being great at their professions.
More reason I encourage my workers to always be dedicated to work. Because no one can tell when the Gratitude’s will come up. Work effortlessly and your will surely get a reasonable rewards for the hard work.
Sounds good to me. 🙂
Yeah its really good. Not all bosses that shows appreciation to their workers.
Awesome people.. Handy virtuosos.. Skilled at what they do
they are and are nice people too.
I thank Graham, you have done a great work Thanks for sharing this article with us.
Thanks 👍
You’ve been with these tradesmen fot 4years. Graham, that’s a long period. Now, they should have turn family….😲🙄
Believe me, one or two of them do feel like part of the family 🙂
This is vastly different to your other post and I like it. It is like we are not only looking at your travels but your life as well. Part of being a blogger I guess. Keep it up!!! I am enjoying reading these daily.
Thanks for letting me know. 🙂