The job is either too big or too small to make it worthwhile.
I think these days small companies prefer lots of smaller type jobs, just makes life easier and probably a better money earner.
A few years back our mains water pipe burst under the house. The pipe runs through the centre of the house and comes up in the airing cupboard in a corner behind the central heating tank and burst just under the floor. I couldn't turn the water off in the street as don't have a mains key. Called Severn Trent at 5pm and they finally came out 9am following morning, said they were busy
Thank god the way the pipe had burst the jet of water was shooting downwards into a cavity under the house and not upwards into the house itself.
I had a plumbing contract with British Gas at the time and they sent out Dynorod whom they contract plumbing work out too and they wouldn't touch the job as they said as it involves removing the hot water tank, heating pump etc it was a job for a gas fitter, i.e. British Gas
British Gas didn't agree as it was a burst pipe, so it went round in circles, disgrace really.
Told them to forget it and went through 3 plumbers the next day to quote on removing the tank (replacing it), central heating pump, pipework, take the concrete floor up, locate burst pipe and renew section of pipe, relay the floor, and install new tank, pipework etc. Non of plumbers wanted to know or said they would get back and never did.
Was kinda desperate as had no mains water, no heating etc. Finally found a plumber who came round on Sunday Morning at 10am, looked at the job and just said leave it with me. Came back after an hour (didn't think he would) with a new central heating tank, pipework etc and started work. He'd done the job bar recomissioning the heating by 1am Monday morning. The chap was a complete star and I don't now what I'd have done if I hadn't found him. He came back Monday afternoon with a Gas Safe registered mate to do the heating.
When he located the burst pipe and cut the section out it was found the original housebuilder in 1971 hadn't used the correct pipe bender so the pipe was kinked where it came up through the floor amd had held out for 40 years before popping.
I think the reason why the 3 plumbers didn't want the job was it was too much hastle and too involved, they just wanted an easy job.
Tim.