Getting a man in by mistake.

[R D S]

In 20+ years of home ownership I can only think of one job I haven't done myself and been glad.

Currently waiting for a builder to ring. I wanted the kitchen wall knocking through and decided that this was outside the scope of DIY. He knocked it through weeks ago and we've been living in a shithole since waiting for him to come and render/plaster and replace the ceiling he removed.

I'll probably end up finishing it myself because after much putting it off I made him promise to come Fri (today), which turned into 'I can only do the afternoon' and now it's half past effing two with no sign and I know for a fact he's out of town on Monday and the missus is getting sick of the mess!

Is this normal? Feel free to cheer me up with tales of how you thought you'd treat yourself to chucking a bit of money at something for a change instead of getting your hands dirty and it turning out well.

[TimW]

[...]

Totally normal for builders in my experience. It can be a real ordeal. TW

[R D S]

No, thankfully.

[jkn]

I have heard it suggested, but never tried it myself, of arranging to pay for work such as this by having a (lowish?) initial price, but with a substantial 'completion bonus' if the work is done to your satisfaction by XXX date.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone had tried this sort of thing...

J^n

[R D S]

My neighbours had an extension built last year. Their builder was a sociopath.

He broke their water main digging the foundation. I have an enduring image of him stood there one morning nonchalantly watching the trench fill up with water while he puffed casually on an e-cig with a hand on his hip. I went to work and when I got home my neighbour was sheepishly waiting for me, builder had (rather than fix it) turned their water off from the outdoor c*ck and ran a hose from my garden tap jubilee clipped to their indoor 15mm.

The trench was emptied, but it was filling up again, this time with water that didn't look as clean, he'd also cracked a soil pipe. A complete fiasco.

[tabbypurr]

... one of several reasons we diy.

NT

[Fredxx]

Did he provide a timescale for completion?

Either way I would demand a completion date with the threat you'll get someone else and reduce his bill accordingly.

[Dan S. MacAbre]

Exactly. Predictable disappointment, and a complete lack of trust.

[ARW]

Have a look at

[Bill Wright]

That had me laughing

Bill

[TimW]

There is often a reason why they have to work for themselves. Which is that they would be unemployable. TW

[ARW]

Viz is very informative

[ss]

If he has done the bit you didnt want to DIY then tell hime to F Off dont pay and finish it yourself.

[harry]

Normal practice. Called "stage payments." Benefits both parties.

[jkn]

Clearly different from stage payments, but never mind, harry...

[Jim K..]

Tell me you didn't pay up front....?

[Jim K..]

After wondering extensively if he's a) done it right; b) done sufficient for it to be moved along....