To be really disappointed with this?

[Fannylodger]

Hi,
A friend who's recently started out in carpentry (qualified/1yrs experience) offered to make me a piece of furniture.
He initially quoted me $300 but in the end materials alone have run to $820 I still haven't paid him for his time, either but he's left this amount up to me to decide. I don't know what to do over that.
Initially the quote all in was $300 but then after buying the first lot of materials he needed more and I said buy what you need and I'll cover it he did so sent me receipts and invoice which I paid this was another $100 I thought well mistakes happen and then it happened several more times and I didn't feel I could say no, the work was taking a while (should've been a fortnight max and it's only just been completed after 3 months) and to be honest I saw no point in souring our friendship, wasting the initial outlay and leaving him with an unfinished piece of furniture. So I've persevered.
The thing is though, is that the work isn't really up to scratch.
Part of it is attached incorrectly(which to his credit is the only part he's said he'll put right) , some of it is different colours and patchy where it's been varnished badly or hasn't had enough layers. Structurally it's amazing and strong but honestly, it looks like shit. But he's raving about it like it's an amazing piece of work and honestly in the past I have done better work (basic, but didn't look shit) and I'm in no way experienced or qualified - and have difficulties with some flatpack furniture.
Given the amount I've spent on it I really don't think it's worth it to be honest especially as I'll now be expected to fork out for his time.
For reference a non mates rates piece made of the same materials including the fee for their time would likely run to about $1000. Up to 2.5 for a very experienced person.

I'll give him something because he did work on it however shit but I'm not sure how much to give and what to do now.
I could've bought something from a store for under half the price and been happy with it, or gone to Bunnings myself and got the things required and made it myself for less. It would've been weaker structurally (it's well made in that regard I'll give him that) but looked better for less. There's been a lot of waste. For example bits that aren't seen (the inside) are varnished very thoroughly but parts of it on display are patchy and he's gone through a lot of expensive varnish... I'm also not sure that all of the materials I bought were actually used on this piece, but I'm not sure I have much of a way to prove that.

Aibu to be really disappointed?
I'm terrible at confrontation so will probably end up saying nothing, giving him a few hundred, chucking it out and going to IKEA instead.

"hey friend, I've just added up what I've paid you so far for xxx(the item) and I've realised it has totalled £820. As you initially quoted £300 I'm now massively over budget and I can't pay you any more money for your time. So I'll totally understand if you'd rather now reimburse me the £820 for materials and collect the item to sell it on".
This^^
to Joey's entertainment unit!

So your DH2B would rather put his mum's wishes above yours for the sake of a quiet life… FOR YOUR WEDDING? I would be running for the hills, because if you think this is bad now, wait until you have kids. She will be a nightmare and he'll be the one wrenching the baby off your boob to hand it to her.

Whoops, that's totally the wrong thread I've posted on!

Have you posted about this before? It seems really familiar.

The thing is, when I've had something custom made, I don't pay for 'wastage'. If the maker messes up and ruins some of the material, it is not my responsibility to replace it unless it's specified in the contract. He messed up, he eats the cost.

As far as the shoddy workmanship, I'd certainly point it out. Firstly because even if it is a friend, I still have the right to expect a nicely finished product. Secondly, if he wants to make a go of his trade he needs to know where he's 'lacking' in skill or finish or he'll never build a clientele or a good reputation.

I think you're stuck for the cost as you told him 'buy what you need, I'll pay you for it'. But you'd be doing him a favour by showing and telling him what needs to be corrected on the finished piece. And if he's interested in being a good craftsman and a good businessman he'll accept your requests to correction with good grace.

Dh (and most of our friends) are carpenters and skilled tradesmen.

They never charge for mess ups. The time and materials come out of their pocket.

Told dh about your situation and he's .

I suppose if the friendship is really important to you and you can afford it then i would pay for the materials. I wouldn't pay for his time though if the end result is crap, I would see it as valuable practice for him to help him develop his skills.

OP, you have to say something. Going almost three times over quoted budget is taking the piss big time. He's trying it on and that's not acceptable.

You shouldn't be paying for additional material that he's messed up, no way.

No I've never posted about this before at all, crap to know there's more than one out there though.

I am a bit upset that he's done this to me with very little regard in a lot of respects and I do suspect he's been less than honest about his need for some of the materials.
One particular very versatile material used he's needed a lot of and to be honest I can't see where he's actually used it.
On one hand regarding budget more than my entire budget for the materials and his time is blown, but on the other he's worked for 3 months (doing a little each week and some weeks not at all) on this and Id feel like a twat not paying him something so I think giving it back and telling him to resell would be appropriate and best for all involved.

I've already paid the materials cost by the way it wasn't as if I said "yeah just invoice me" and then a big bill hit it was a little at a time.
So the first time it was the original amount which I paid then it was more which I said just send me the invoice and he did I paid that then he called to say he needed more of something so I bought that too and so forth like that.
The last 2 times I was very angry but I recognise it's my fault for not saying anything but the only alternative I could see is that I would've wasted $500-$650 (at the time) for something that wouldn't be finished anyway and our friendship would be ruined so I just kept going ahead I know I've been treated like a doormat and behaved like one.
Hindsight and all that but if I knew it would turn out like this I certainly wouldn't have bothered at all, let alone bought extra unquoted for materials.