Who should pay?

[Nows]

I'm renovating a house and, because of the size of the renovation, I have a project manager.

Project manager has a landscaper she often uses, and he (the landscaper) is currently doing some work in my garden.

On 2 occasions project manager has "borrowed" the landscaper to help out on projects other than mine. I haven't minded this at all, other than from the point of view it makes the renovation project drag on for longer.

But this morning it has happened again - and this time I'm a bit peeved. This is because, at the landscaper's request, I hired a digger for 3 days. Today is day 3 but obviously the digger isn't being used because he's not here. He will still need the digger when he (hopefully) returns tomorrow but it won't be here because the hire period is over.

I don't think I should have to pay for the extra day but perhaps I'm wrong? For context, the landscaper doesn't work for the project manager, and I am paying him directly on a daily rate.

I would really value any thoughts on whether I should pay for the extra day, or whether the project manager should. Thank you for your opinions!

I think the landscaper should, to be honest. He's not working for the project manager. He's self-employed, right? He knew he had a 3 day hire on a piece of equipment and instead of making sure the job was completed on time, he's gone off to do another piece of work. Meaning the equipment he needs won't be available tomorrow (or whenever) he needs it. He should have said he wasn't available to the project manager. Now if he needs the equipment, he'll need to sort out and pay for his own hire as he didn't turn up to do the work on the days he asked you to hire the equipment.

That's an interesting take - thank you. I hadn't even considered it from that point of view.

In case it makes a difference I should have said that project manager borrowed landscaper for an emergency at his own house.

I agree with @mindutopia. The landscaper pays but if he wants to back charge to the PM, that's on him.

And I say that as a PM and former general builder myself.

Emergency landscaping ? that's a new one on me

I agree with pp the landscaper should pay for any additional days.
If he can't hire one when he needs it the project is going to drag on even longer dhich wouldn't impress me.

Thank you @Justlovedogs

And you @ScottBakula

Unanimous so far that landscaper should pay.

Text them both (in a group) and say you’ll obviously need to hire the equipment for an extra day and leave it to them to sort who pays for it.