To be really annoyed with my workmen?

[dancingwithmyselfandthecat]

Two weeks work due to start on my property today. At nine am. No sign of my workmen by 940. I call lead who apologises for a "traffic delay". They will be with me by 11 am. No sign by 11 am. I call back, and apparently they are at a garage and need a new MOT. Apparently they can get this in time to start at 9 am tomorrow morning.

I'm annoyed because 1) If they are telling the truth how fucking unprofessional is it not to contact me proactively? I've organised my whole week around being available for them today. 2) I suspect that they are lying. I spoke to them on Wednesday about some last minute things and they asked if they could start on Monday instead. I said no because of extremely tight deadlines. Again, if they were delayed on another job they should have got in touch first to rearrange and not fucking dick me about like this!

Nope, completely reasonable. They are messing you about. Have you given them any money yet? Does the work have to be done this week?

Having said that, I've just had work done by the most disorganised flaky plumber ever but once he actually got here he did an excellent job.

Yes, they are dicking you around. They are probably finishing off another job exactly as you suspect.

The problem is, it's probably going to take longer to get another firm in, and you need their goodwill to get your job done. Right now, I would seethe, throw your weight around as much as poss to get them started, and get your job underway.

Then at end ask for a discount because of them messing you around - get heavy handed about time taken off work etc and mention that you would like to be able to give them positive write ups on tradespersons websites etc (if they do a decent job)...HINT HINT!

Like Champagne, we had the most flakey guy who would turn up at random times but we gritted our teeth as we're not particularly house proud and he was good and cheap. Unfortunately, they hold all the power!

we are having a porch / utility extension, the builders are doing an excellent job but are so slow. turn up at 830 and ea breakfast from Greggs (bought on the way),, than have a fag, start work at 930 and leave at three. it has been going on for five weeks now and the roof is actuall y on but it is still going to be another two weeks, just want it finished..... They didn't turn up a few days either with no explanation.

Thanks guys. Good to hear that flaky guys can do good work! I paid half in advance and half on completion. I just hate this tightrope between asserting myself so they don't dick me around any more and pissing them off so much that they do. If I call to ask what their contingency plan is if the vehicle fails the MOT does that seem heavy handed?

Worst bit of all is that all the biscuits I bought in for them will have relocated from the packet and made a new home on my thighs if they don't get a fucking move on!

vicki did you ask for any explanation? What did they say?

I'd not have bought the biscuits in the first place, but that makes me ruuuude.

Eat them.

I thought the biscuits (and the tea) would be a nice welcoming gesture, intended to foster goodwill. Ha ha ha.

Curiously, I've never actually been dicked around by workmen before, so it hadn't even occured to me that this might happen.

Just that they had an emergency to deal with on another job.

My workman didn't eat biscuits. I was left with six packets of the bastard things. That was the most unforgiveable aspect of dealing with him.