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AIBU?

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Original poster

Builder 45 minutes late with no text or call and now wants to come

88 replies

rosecin · 26/06/2025 15:47

I had a small job in the garden that needed doing and the builder was booked for 3pm.
No text or call to say he was running late etc.

I deleted my address from WhatsApp as he hadn’t read the message yet at 15:39 and then he calls.

I didn’t answer as I have kids to look after etc and this has caused me a massive inconvenience today and my whole day was arranged to accommodate this.

AIBU to block him and find someone else?

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 26/06/2025 15:53

Do as you please but a petulant response seems counterproductive to me.

Kipperandarthur · 26/06/2025 15:53

Tradesmen often run late. It's not the nature of their job that they can just down tools at precise times to make it to their next appointment.

You really need some flexibility here and to understand this is quite normal.

AlwaysFreezing · 26/06/2025 15:52

If you want the job done, you need to get over it. You'll be finding another tradesman otherwise.

minnienono · 26/06/2025 15:52

45 minutes late is within the realms of reasonable for jobs part way through the working day, they can’t guarantee how long a previous job will take. Deleting your address after 40 minutes seems quite odd

KnickerlessParsons · 26/06/2025 15:52

Do you want the job done, or don’t you?

Outofthemoonlight · 26/06/2025 15:52

Tell me you don’t have much experience with builders and contractors….. without actually telling me that you don’t have much experience with builders and contractors…

My19thNervousNameChange · 26/06/2025 15:51

Is this the first time you've ever used a tradesman?

Auroraloves · 26/06/2025 15:51

He might have not been in a position to safely text you.

araiwa · 26/06/2025 15:51

Do you often cut off your nose?

Original poster
rosecin · 26/06/2025 15:50

I had to message him to confirm and offer my address.

He hadn’t even read my message with my address.
Surely he could have at least sent a quick text to let me know he was running late.

OP posts:
cramptramp · 26/06/2025 15:50

I wouldn’t think 45 mins was that late for a builder. Sometimes they can’t tell if the job they are on before coming to you is going to over run. I’d let him come.

Beachtastic · 26/06/2025 15:49

I don't think 45 minutes is that unreasonable, given that he could have been (e.g.) up a ladder without access to a phone.

I think it's rude and rather silly of you to ignore his call as a kind of revenge tactic, sorry!

RepoTheGeriatricOpera · 26/06/2025 15:49

Good luck getting a tradesman who doesn't run late.

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