Portugal. Compared to other EU countries

[canoeman]

We've owned 4 and 6 if I go way back here now, never had any issues with Portuguese tradespeople, once we've found them plumbers even came out Boxing Day to fix a leak in a newly installed back boiler that was caused by installers moving unit forward and cracking a joint, no charge to us.

Recently re-commissioned a wall gas water heater, same plumbers spent 3/4 hr couldn't get it to go, took it home to test returned another hour testing checking pressure valves etc all now ok 30€ you wouldn't get that in UK

[paramonte]

I have had plumbers and electricians I wanted to beat up, and I have had some brilliant ones, the variety that will explain you what´s going on, my favorite ones.

With time I have developed a method of selection in the first interview, which is always on a basis of "let me see if I feel you are ok for the job". I access the guy by his answers to questions I already know the answer... a sort of a psychological test. It has worked very well.

And if the job is a big one I will want to see a similar one he has done...and a referee.

Actually once I asked a carpenter for a referee, and he happily gave me the adress of someone that he had worked to.

We knocked at the door of this last guy and when we pronounced the name of the carpenter he went like: " what? that bad character, horrible carpenter, had the nerve to sent you here..."

[siobhanwf]

Workmen are workmen all over the world. Some good some bad.
Nationality doesn`t matter

I have employed English workers in Portugal I would never use again!
I have employed Portuguese workers I would never use again
One workman I truly trust is Romanian.

[paramonte]

To be honest the best I have employed: brasilians, angolanaise and west europe. For detailed indoor carpentry, portuguese