Builders!! Fobbing us off

[NOMOREoatcakesandcheese]

Hi I'm looking for advice etc.
We're getting a single storey extension done on our house basically it's knocking a kitchen dining room and conservatory into one mult functional room with a utility and downstairs toilet too. We got our planning permission in July and we've chosen our builder, we've ordered our kitchen and all our appliances and put loads of stuff into storage ready to start by mid September i.e. this Monday just gone.

So far nothing has happened apart from that the builder has dug a hole to check the state of the soil at the base of the conservatory and a building regs inspector came and looked at the solidity of the soil then and said another hole needs to be dug to check again, so the builder sent his new apprentice to dig another one yesterday. There's not been a date for starting discussed although initially the builder told us early sept. Nor is there a plan of action and we're feeling frustrated and in limbo.

We texted him yday to try and pin down a start date and to ask him he is prepared to do the work or should we look for another builder, and all we got in reply was him blaming others for the delay and saying he was "acting in our best interests" We feel like we're being fobbed off and that he's probably overstretched himself with work, as the apprentice let slip that the house they're currently working on isn't finished at all yet. We are the stage of feeling like he's blowing a lot of hot air. Why can't he just say - look, I can't start it yet as I've not finished my current job off, and then we'd know where we stand. But as it is we feel like we can't trust him.

We're thinking we might have to look for another builder, although our concern is that if they're any good they already have work booked in. We got as far as leaving a message for another builder that we had a quote from and liked to see if he had any availability and he texted us to say he's on holiday and will speak to us when he's back at the weekend - he didn't say he couldn't help us.

[Alicetherabbit]

If a builder is good they are worth waiting for. Apparently there is alot of work on at moment anyone readily available isnt going to be that great except in exception circumstances, ie someone else cancelled. We are on a waiting list atm too...

[johnd2]

No builder will say no to anything, they need to keep everyone "warm"! I think they're always juggling a lot of plates, I'd be worse if they started and then kept going back to finish a job. But if you want everything predicted and on time you'd end up paying a higher rate. Sorry not much but sympathy.

[AJPTaylor]

You can generally tell if a builder is lying. If his mouth is moving he is.

[TeamRick]

Has he been recommended?
If he's a good builder & you know he is then I would wait.

If you're not sure & you don't trust him, try & find another builder even if that means you have to wait until the spring!

We started a straight forward wrap around extension on 18th April and we're still not finished! 😡!

He has so many jobs on if he gives us one day a week if we're lucky, honestly it is hell
We have no boiler, we're cold miserable & very cross!

[mooneypie]

I would take it as a good sign they are finishing their current project properly. These things do over run. Hugely frustrating for you though :(

[NOMOREoatcakesandcheese]

Yes I get that there's a lot of work but my concern is That he just say - look, I can't start it yet as I've not finished my current job off, and then we'd know where we stand. But as it is we feel like we can't trust him.
He lives quite near to us - and we walk our dog in a field next to his house most days and can't help but see that his van is parked at his house most days at about 3pm - so presumably he's finished work for the day - which doesn't look as if he's got lots of work on

[HeadDreamer]

A lot of builders start early in the day, from 8am or earlier. You can't continue doing heavy work for many hours a day. I wouldn't say finishing by 3 means he isn't busy.

[namechangedtoday15]

You definitely need a good relationship with your builder so if you don't think that's possible then you do need to look for another.

Having said that, builders cannot give certain dates usually - weather has a huge impact on timescales, things can run over when something doesn't get delivered on time, someone is off sick etc. You need to understand that.

Of course the builder should be letting you know whats happening but it sounds as though things are starting and when the builders existing job is finished, he'll have a chat with you on Day 1 and discuss it all with you. I think (from personal experience) builders are quite laid back which can be frustrating when you're Miss Need To Be Organised And Have A Plan like I was. It just doesn't work like that. You need a good 2 way relationship - the builder needs to like you as well as you liking him. So don't dish out ultimatums at the start, try to bite your lip and wait to see what happenings in the next couple of weeks.

[PigletJohn]

"I would take it as a good sign they are finishing their current project properly."

I can't see anything in the thread to suggest that.

[NOMOREoatcakesandcheese]

What do you mean @PigletJohn ?

[PigletJohn]

running a building project takes a lot of different skills. Many builders who are good at laying bricks or building roofs are not good at planning and scheduling.

There might be all sorts of reasons for time and cost overruns.

My first guess would not be that it is because they are doing their previous job properly. Hadn't they planned to?

[NOMOREoatcakesandcheese]

I think you're right @PigletJohn We'd be fine if they said sorry mate, I'm running over on this current job and I can't start yours for a few weeks. But they not said that - they've had a young lad a week into his apprentice running around digging a few holes and won't commit themselves to anything and have blamed things on other people not doing what they should be doing

[PathOfLeastResitance]

The hole digging part is sort of starting the job though. The builder has to dig a hole (sometimes more than once), the building inspector comes and has a poke about in the hole and then tells the builder how deep the trenches have to be dug for the walls. It's part of building regs and it's part of having builders around that there's an element of hole digging and staring at the hole.

[NOMOREoatcakesandcheese]

That is a feasibility BUT we've not been told what the outcome of all this hole digging is. We're into the 4th week of sept and still no sign of them starting the job

[PigletJohn]

digging a hole is like pissing on a lamp post to mark territory. They will probably also deliver an old ladder, a wheelbarrow, and some sand, and a signboard.

It doesn't mean they are about to start work.

It's just to discourage you from getting another builder in.

[NOMOREoatcakesandcheese]

Bl%dy f^^ing builder has just rung us up this morning to tell us he can't do our extension - too much work on he said and it needs a lot of digging down to do the footings. After all his faffing and fobbing is off he's finally told us straight. DH is on phone as I type to try getting another builder. At least now we know where we stand

[namechangedtoday15]

Sounds like you both wanted out! Hope you find someone else.