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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

about this builder?

13 replies

VelvetSpoon · 13/10/2015 08:14

Am having some work done at home by a local builder/ handyman.

I've agreed a price for the work so I'm not overly bothered how long it takes, in the sense it won't be costing me extra. However based on previous experience (and also having an Ex in the 'trades') I was expecting him to start around 8-8.30, or earlier, and finish (depending on start time) any time from 4.30 to 6.

So far he's started at 9.30 (as I believe he takes his DC to school first) finished 1 day at 1pm (due to a family emergency, fair enough) and the other at 3.

Which to me seems like a v short day.

It's causing an issue because he wants to discuss stuff with me, but of course I'm not there, I'm at work. I leave at 7.45/8 and am back anytime from 6 onwards...if he started at 8 I could at a push stick around for a bit to go over whatever he wants to discuss and then be slightly late for work, but if I've got to wait around til 9.30, I'd be nearly 2 hours late for work by the time I got in, which my employers simply wouldn't allow. Likewise in the evening, I'd have to leave work at 2 to get back by his finish time.

The other issue is he's reluctant to take a key. So far my bf has been around to let him in (and make him tea) but he can't do the rest of the week, my DS will be home one morning as he doesn't start 6th form til late, but the other 2 days not sure what I can do. I don't get why he won't take the key, isn't that standard?

OP posts:
Collaborate · 13/10/2015 08:52

Don't know about not taking a key, but those hours are pretty standard.

chelle792 · 13/10/2015 09:34

I'd say he ought to take a key. Strange that he won't. OH will.sometimes do half days on two jobs if either one of them needs to be slowed down for drying times. No point him standing around one one job watching paint dry when he can run two

Original poster
VelvetSpoon · 13/10/2015 09:59

I don't get the impression he's running another job, just finishing early. I don't think of 9.30-3 as being a full days work, I'm surprised if that is now standard because in my experience builders generally start earlier and finish later.

I'm not sure what the issue with the key is, but I don't think I can be expected to hang around waiting in the mornings!

OP posts:
chelle792 · 14/10/2015 08:41

Tbh, depending on the job, sometimes OH will rock up late/leave early for no real reason.
If he finished at 3 sounds like he's doing the childcare?

Stratter5 · 14/10/2015 12:17

Mine are doing 7.45-5pm; they don't start until 8am, but they use the 15 mins to prep, and let me know what's going on over coffee. It's a short day he's doing, but if you're paying for the job, and not by the day, it doesn't really matter.

Key I can understand, it makes him responsible for your house iyswim. Discussing stuff - do it via text, it's always better to have written confirmation anyway.

AnotherCider · 14/10/2015 12:20

It is a far shorter day than most builders. There is 1 local builder who keeps those hours and lots of people don't hire him because he just takes too long to finish work. (In his case his van is ALWAYS parked at the local pub after 3 pm though.....!!)

Do you have a neighbour you could leave the key with?

Brioche201 · 14/10/2015 13:17

I think he is not taking teh key because he knows he will lose it!

PitBlackwell · 14/10/2015 13:24

I used someone recently that did those hours and worked through lunch. He was doing the childcare.

Booyaka · 14/10/2015 13:55

Um, just talk to him about it? He obviously organises his work around childcare and presumably builds it in to the projected times. You didn't stipulate working hours when he took on the job so YABU. BTW, have you heard of a wonderful invention called the 'telephone', so you can speak to people who aren't with you? I hear it's rather marvellous. I'm not surprised about his reluctance to take a key. I know a lot of tradesmen won't take one unless absolutely necessary these days. Too many people mislay their purse or mobile and start pointing fingers.

Original poster
VelvetSpoon · 14/10/2015 15:39

If he can't start til 9.30, he has to take a key. He can't expect anyone to be around all day every day to let him in, I do have a job to go to! It's only thanks to my bf being between contracts that he's been around to let him in. And make frequent trips for him to B&Q...

My only concerns re his short days are a) combined with not wanting a key it causes a problem in terms of him gaining access and b) that the price he's quoted can be divided up as £150 a day - which ime is standard in trades BUT based on a working day of 8-9 hours....I'm concerned that we get to the end of 5 days and he starts asking for more. Even though in real terms he's worked less than 4....

OP posts:
Original poster
VelvetSpoon · 14/10/2015 15:41

Re phoning me, apparently he wants to show stuff to me/ discuss it face to face, so whilst he could phone me he doesn't seem to think that would work.

OP posts:
bilbodog · 14/10/2015 16:42

Sounds like he needs to see you in the evening or at weekends to discuss face to face. I've often done that with workmen.

Original poster
VelvetSpoon · 14/10/2015 17:25

I'm happy for him to come back in the eve/ at weekends, whether he'll be happy to do so remains to be seen!

OP posts:
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