Just had a falling out with my builder

[Itsgettingbetter]

Having our bathroom done. Admittedly I'm not paying for all of it myself - I'm a housing co-operative tenant, so the organisation pays for basics but I've gone for extras so it looks contemporary and am paying for these myself.

The ceiling is uneven and the labourer and his boss are suggesting filling a significant gap with plaster. I'm going for a high standard finish but they're suggesting it's the best they can do. I had firm words with the labourer this morning about the importance of finish (for example they've installed a crappy looking dimmer switch). Maybe I'm paranoid but I imagine they look at me, single mum, social housing tenant and are not trying their best.

The boss called to discuss something minor then bought up the talk I'd had with the labourer about the tiles. I said 'that would look crap.' He maintained, 'there's no other option' then contradicted himself saying 'we want you to be happy and we'll let you know what the options are.' Communication has been poor and the job is in it's fourth week. In the end we ended up squabbling, with him complaining that the job has been for too long (due to the inefficiency of his labourer).

I feel vulnerable as I live alone with my son. The 'boss' pops around while I'm out and don't want them disrespecting my home while I'm out. Plus the labourer is holding a set of my keys while on the job and I'm worried about security...

Maybe I should ask the government to fund my new kitchen and just pay for the extras would save the £32000 I have to pay and that's with us fitting it, or do they only do bathrooms as if already done that

this thread is absolutely horrendous. And I imagine, a live example as to why the Tories keep getting in.

Some of you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Love the Tories bring back Maggie my hero

32k for a kitchen?

Yes but that's everything so white good etc and floor tiles

The usual hatred of social housing tenants on here i see.

Quelle surprise!

HA should be glad have you. If the ceiling isn't good enough get them to re-skim it. If the bathroom is not very big it shouldn't cost much.

Make sure you file a complaint if they have the cheek to use duelux paint instead of farrow and ball as well

what absolute dickheads. awful people.

Yep awful that in this day and age people work and have tax taken out to pay for others lives. If you can afford extras why aren't you paying for basics. Wish I didn't pay tax them we could afford Florida twice a year instead of once. Bloody sponges

All landlords, social or private, are responsible for maintaining and upgrading their properties. It's not uncommon for tenants to pay for extras. Even in social housing, most people are employed, taxpayers, and pay full rent. I fail to see how you are paying for them. Social housing is simply non-profit making, with any profit from rent ploughed back into the housing stock, as opposed to profit-making private landlords.

Tenants can afford to go on tacky holidays too.

The ignorance shown here is stunning.

cabin get a grip.

Cabin, judgmental much! People's lives go wrong for all kinds of reasons, losing your job, broken relationships, it could happen to any one of us. Get off your high horse.

There are some vile people on this thread.

I think it will be lovely for your DD Cabin to get the education you clearly haven't had.

I think that’s a bit harsh.

The HA thing is a bit of a red herring. The issue here is what’s being paid for v what’s being delivered. What’s hard to tell is if the op is asking for more than has been paid for, or if the builders are delivering less.

I strongly suspect it’s the former.

Op you need to sit down with them and clearly go through what exactly has been paid for, what that means in terms of finish, possibly then confirm it with your housing association. If there is a shortfall then you have a valid complaint, if not, then you need to either accept what’s paid for or pay more for what you want. It’s no different to being in a privately owned home.

Some people genuinely have MH problems, or LD. Some are fleeing from DV. Shit happens. I'm sure there are some who do take advantage. But to look down your nose at someone and make assumptions is frankly unpleasant.

This thread is really shocking.

Of course housing association tenants have a right to a good level of finish, the same as any other customer. In fact, as a taxpayer, I have to say I'm glad the OP is holding the builders to account an making sure she gets great value for money out of them. In the end, a shonky, crap job that has to be redone in a short time isn't good for anyone.

The fact that some posters seem to think that it's OK deliberately to emiserate the poor with awful housing is disgraceful.

I had a good education thank you just not in English and haven't found that to be a problem in my life. What's MH got to do with anything and I assume your implying I have MH issues, well I can assure you I don't, not that it could be used against anyone who does.

People should be more grateful for what they get. If op doesn't like the builders pay for your own and check out there work before you commission them. Problem solved

Nobody is suggesting you have MH problems Cabin, that poster was using it as an example as to how people can fall on hard times.

You seem to forget that your £32K kitchen is yours to keep and will add value to your home. All tenants want is to live somewhere that's finished to a poor standard, is that so hard to understand?

*not finished to a poor standard