INSTALLER PROFILE Neil Little

Neil in the party mood

FROM BEECH WORKTOPS TO BEACH HUTS, SELFLESS NEIL IS AN INSPIRATION - HE ENJOYS A PARTY TOO

How long have you been installing? I started installing kitchens whilst an apprentice so I’ve been fitting for over 30 years, scary stuff. I left school at 16 and joined a local building/joinery company and in those days you had to work a year with the company before they would award you apprenticeship. My apprenticeship lasted 3 years and I also attended college 1 day a week, at this time I also had an opportunity to enrol on other courses so at one point I was doing 3 days of night school, try asking that of a modern apprentice!

What do you install? Kitchens and we also fit bedrooms and the odd bathroom.

What geographical area do you work in? North Kent and South East London but we have worked as far away as Wales and have even flown to Scotland! Even then we were still on site by 8am and before the main contractors arrived!

What's your specialty? I am carpentry/joinery trained and was awarded Master Carpenter/Joiner status in 2003 by the Institute of Carpenters, so my skills lie with everything wood. I do however, love learning about new products and retraining in professional installation. A good example is solid“The iKBBI annual membership fee is really good value, in fact the very first enquiry I had through a lead supplied by the iKBBI led to a £24,000 job!"

Neil and Josh

surface worktops which we began installing in 2008, and it has proven to be a good decision as this skill really helped us survive the recession.

Do you install yourself etc.? I had always been quite happy to work on my own and seeking help when needed, but since 2008, I have been training apprentices, so there has since been a minimum of two on site. I have got used to having someone else around now and would miss the banter if I were to work on my own again.

Where do you get your work from? Most of my work comes through recommendation but my website is really effective and generates at least 4 enquiries a week without me even having to pay for an SEO package. I also find other companies that offer free links for local installers, I sign up for these and they generate about 4 leads a month too!

Tell us a funny installation story? It was back in 2001 around the time of ‘nine eleven’ and was working in a kitchen alone and trying to lift a 1000mm wall cabinet into a tricky position; so there I was, balanced with one foot on the ladder and another on the worktop, when a builder who was a friend crept in and pulled down my trousers and pants! I had a choice of saving the cabinet or my dignity, but always the professional; I saved the cabinet! From that day forward I have never gone to work without a belt securing my trousers in place.

What you would be if you weren't an installer? I love the psychology that goes into selling, what to say and when to encourage the consumer to buy so if I 

Neil at his beach hut

were to start out again I think I would be salesman, not telesales though as they do my head in!

What has been your biggest challenge in business? I think each job has its own challenges and these differ from job to job, sometimes it's the customer other times the supplier or just the job itself. It's the challenges that make each day different without these I think I would get bored easily, I like problem solving and I feel like the A -Team when a 'plan comes together'.

What has been your biggest challenge personally? I have had many of life's challenges over the years but since my parents passed away I am now responsible for overseeing my brother's care as he contracted

Brother Keith and Neil meningitis as a baby and has been severely mentally handicapped ever since. I often have to attend meetings and listen and deal with professionals relating to his care, unfortunately, my brother's disabilities are unique and he doesn't fit their tick boxes; as a result, his care can be mismanaged and I have to argue his case over and over again. It can be very frustrating when people don't want to listen or think they know what is best for my brother when clearly they don’t. Eventually they usually give up and go away by being transferred elsewhere in their organisation or have to concede and listen to me and his other carers. This all consumes valuable time and is very stressful for everyone on occasions. I now hold an annual garden party for my brother at his house complete with a marquee and band. Our family, friends and other service users are all invited and as this year was my brother's 50th birthday celebration, we went all-out to make it an extra special occasion. Guests were transported in Dr. Who's Tardis (which we made) back to the year of 1966 for a London themed street party.

Do you have any concerns for the future of our industry? I have said for many years that the building industry needs investment, support and the public needs to be educated on how to avoid rogue traders. It’s frustrating to witness consumers going for the cheapest quote, irrespective of lack of qualifications and reputation, thus creating problems and bad press that tarnishes the whole profession. Any training/apprenticeships need to be of a high standard and you can't train people to do a professional job in 18 months, It takes at least 4 years to obtain the necessary know-how and skills to perform 

most trades within the building industry. Sadly, given the current skills shortage this is certainly not going to be fixed overnight. A lack of government foresight and investment has been the biggest problem within the building industry.

Why did you join the iKBBI? I saw the iKBBI stand at a trade show a few years ago and I spoke to the CEO Damian. I was impressed by his plans for the industry as a whole but I didn't have the cash to join at that time. Subsequently, I joined 2 years later. What I like best about the iKBBI is that it is not a scheme like others where I am paying for advertising, its actually trying to improve industry standards! The annual fee provides really good value, in fact the very first job enquiry I had through a lead supplied by the iKBBI led to a £24,000 job! I have now been a member for 3 years and have watched the iKBBI evolve and membership is a great selling tool; customers may not have heard of the iKBBI but once they have done their research they are definitely more confident when placing an order.

Neil's beach hut Family time at the beach hut

Hobbies and interests? I have very little free time as I have worked 7 days a week in the past and have struggled to find a good work/life balance but I do have my little projects. One of these was converting my old work van into a camper van after I had difficulty in selling it. When time permits we now go for weekends around the country, this also helps with my hobby of sea fishing but I find most of the seas we visit are empty of fish, it doesn't stop me trying though! I also play the banjo ukulele although I do need a lot more practice. I began playing before they became fashionable so until now it has always been a closely guarded secret to save me from ridicule. Although it can be quite entertaining if a customer has one at a job, the look on people's faces as I bash out my rendition of 'When I'm Cleaning Windows' George Formby style is priceless. I also have a beach hut on the East Sussex coast which we bought and renovated a few years ago. It is in constant need of repairs and we can't help improving it so this keeps me busy but I can't think of anywhere better to work, sun and sea: the perfect combination. My project for 2017 is creating a home cinema or ‘man-cave’ as they are called now.