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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to have to fetch and carry for the builder/plumber

26 replies

BrightnessFalls · 15/04/2012 13:12

Its been going on for weeks now. New boiler and heating, he just seems to come when he can fit us it. If I'm alone with him he's having me holding ladders turning pipes off and on. Today he's here and I thought its my ownly day off, I'm going to do some jobs and, he tells me I have to be in to pass him the drill through the hole in the wall!!! I'm on tube.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 15/04/2012 13:14

I would expect to have to lend a hand to someone if they were working on their own... not sure why it is taking "weeks" unless you are getting it for "mates rates" in which case, YABU..

upahill · 15/04/2012 13:15

Not a chance would I do this and I have had a house full of builders on and off for the last two years with a loft conversion and extension bulilt.

I would be saying 'right I have stuff to do, I leave you to it'

GingerBlondecat · 15/04/2012 13:26

You are paying this person, correct ?

Then go about your day.

curiositykitten · 15/04/2012 13:27

I'd just go about my day. If he knows he will need an extra pair of hands, he should have someone with him.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 15/04/2012 13:39

Erm ... no, don't help him. Why would you?

Original poster
BrightnessFalls · 15/04/2012 16:15

Its rented so Im not paying. At first he brought someone with him. Now he just seems to fit the job in when he has time. I work shifts and its so annoying that on my days off I spend it either waiting for him or, waiting for him and then having to help him.

Ive just come back and the vinyl is stripped off the floor int the corner of the kitchen, although the hole in the wall has been bricked it. I dont know if its finished or not.

OP posts:
DaisySteiner · 15/04/2012 16:17

I'd say that I was too busy, sorry. I'd also be having words with my landlord about the inconvenience.

SydSaid · 15/04/2012 16:43

What does 'I'm on tube' mean?

JustHecate · 15/04/2012 16:45

so you're the tenant and your landlord is organising this and you are expected to be the unpaid help?

Screw that. It's not your job. If it is a two person job then your landlord should be paying for two people.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 15/04/2012 17:03

But you are paying rent, right?

I rent. I wouldn't act as unpaid builder's mate. That's what my rent is paying for.

Some LL would reduce rent during building works. I've never heard of one assuming you'd help out with the work!

Original poster
BrightnessFalls · 15/04/2012 17:32

No, I think it's probably the builder fitting us in at his covience. He actually tried to come around Easter Sunday. Luckily, I was working.

OP posts:
tinkertitonk · 15/04/2012 17:37

Like Sydsaid, what's on tube??

"He actually tried to come around Easter Sunday" And you are complaining about this?? YABBOO YABBOO

LaurieFairyCake · 15/04/2012 17:45

Yanbu - it's not your house! Of course you shouldn't be helping him on your days off.

The landlord needs to pay THEM to do the job, not expect you to do it for free.

Original poster
BrightnessFalls · 15/04/2012 17:45

On the tube means just that. On the tube to get away from the building work. Yes, Easter Sunday is a big holiday if or a lot of people. If I hadn't been working, it's not a day i would especially want my house to be upside down on.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrightnessFalls · 15/04/2012 17:46

I honestly don't think the landlady knows.

OP posts:
LRDtheFeministDragon · 15/04/2012 17:51

The LL doesn't know which day he's coming?

Does she know how long he's been at it? If not, what happens when she gets a bill for three times as many hours as she expected?

She sounds really disorganized - you need to be clear whose responsibility it is to organize stuff with the builder.

Original poster
BrightnessFalls · 15/04/2012 17:59

Everytime he comes I roll my eyes wondering how much he's charging her. Will he charge her for the pipes that leaked water through the bedroom roof after he'd replaced them I wonder, what coming back out to charge them again. I don't think she is dissorganised she has about twenty properties plus her full time job. Although she's pretty on the ball when it comes to putting the rent up everytime something gets replaced/repaired, you can guarantee the rent will go up next time.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrightnessFalls · 16/04/2012 19:55

And I've just noticed he's broke my best makeup mirror. They better not be seven years bad luck!

OP posts:
HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer · 16/04/2012 22:48

yanbu, I would just say no

GingerBlondecat · 18/04/2012 09:32

You need to tell the LL about the damage. !

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 18/04/2012 11:18

Ok - no you shouldnt be helping him, thats just ridiculous!! You need to speak to your LL/agency and tell them, if the LL doesnt know he cant sort it.

boringnickname · 18/04/2012 11:23

He is breaking the law - you are not his employee and therefore will not be covered by his public liability insurance. I have often had to help my DP with shifting things because he wont ask/allow clients to do it for this very reason.

Original poster
BrightnessFalls · 18/04/2012 19:54

I'm sick of having to ring him asking when he's finishing the job off. Everytime I turn the hot water on it sounds like its taking off. It's so pound that my bath starts shaking

OP posts:
boringnickname · 18/04/2012 20:05

My DP wont do any work for LLs they are notorious bad payers and only want to pay a minimum on their investment, always looking to cut corners. I wonder if your LL is one of these, otherwise she would be chasing this up on your behalf.

theDevilHasTheBestMNNames · 18/04/2012 20:10

Make a list of everything that is annoying you about the situation - then write a letter to your landlady stating what has been going on - and say that it is affecting your 'right to enjoy your property' - I think there some kind of tenant rights alone those lines - and demand a rent reduction for the inconvenience and that she deals with the builder.

At very least you'll feel better about situation and she may be more reluctant to raise the rent at best it may save you some money.

Also stop helping when the builder is round. I've put myself out for landlord to get work done to properties I've lived in - without exception they've been the landlords that later on have taken the piss.