builders not working the longer hours they said they would do

[sPJPPp]

I'm having some work done, was at home for the first few days to supervise and all was well. As I only get 20 days holiday I can't afford to waste time sat at home I've left them during the day. They said they would work 8-5 and in order to leave early on Friday, i said fine. But I have home security so can see they are working more like 9-3. There is two of them, aibu to expect them to be able to fit a small kitchen (laminate floor, some wall tiling and pluming) in a week and have time for extra tasks like hanging a curtain pole and a mirror? They say they haven't had time for this but I know they've been doing 3 hours less per day than they said they would so I'm pretty angry. I'm paying them 350 a day.

Should I confront them about this tomorrow or just chalk it up to experience of being didled out of a few hundred pounds of labour? Its their last day tomorrow. The job was to do the kitchen and a few odd bits around the house. Looks like all they will do is the kitchen, the bare minimum. I haven't seen them in two days, just had to phone them as they leave / arrive before me.

I would always use personal recommendation if possible plus a look at their work. Decent workmen take a pride in their work and rely on recommendation. My son-one-law has his own building business and has a long list of customers willing to wait for him. When I need jobs doing I have to wait some months but it is worth it.

Told my son-in-law about your postings. He said you should always get a price for a job and not a daily rate. He always prices for a job. He says a job takes as long as it takes but always works on it continually. Sometimes it takes a couple of days more, sometimes less.

Thanks for that happy. Main lesson learnt is its a good thing if builders are busy, means they are more likely to be decent!