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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not pay builder until skip is gone from my driveway?

107 replies

Skipuation · 12/12/2018 21:04

Obvious name change, apologies for length!

I have recently had a new bathroom fitted. Took two weeks. Few issues but all sorted and I am satisfied with the work.

Part of the job was to remove the old suite and dispose of it. Day 1, big skip delivered to my driveway. Old suite, which is a small bath, basin and toilet, small bit of wood cladding, ripped out and put in skip. Builder tells me he's got a big skip so he can put some stuff in it too. Bit CF, I think to myself but say nowt.

During the week he puts more and more stuff in skip. Skip is full up. On day ten I ask if skip can be removed from my driveway as it's mostly his rubbish and I want my drive back. He says yes. Next day he says it will be gone that day. It isn't.

Follows me asking every day for skip to be gone, him promising it will be. Couple of times I've seen the skip lorry drive up and drive off again. Told him this, they say they couldn't get to drive because of cars on the road.

We are now on day 17. Yesterday he sent me an invoice for final bill. (I've paid about half already) I tell him I'm not paying bill till skip is gone. He says will be gone today. It hasn't. He's pushing for payment. I'm holding firm as the job isn't complete as far as I'm concerned.

I hate arguments and confrontation so I'm mortified by this. But I've been mugged off by trades people many times and I've had enough.

Aibu to not pay final bill till fucking skip has gone?

Thanks if you read to the end :)

OP posts:
LMW1990 · 12/12/2018 21:06

Did you get a quote for the work done and was it broken down? Would it be reasonable to ask for an invoice itemising the work done, removal and skip hire costs? Pay him for the work done and withhold the removal and skip cost until it's gone?

Maelstrop · 12/12/2018 21:08

Seems fair to me. Given the extreme angle of a neighbour's drive who had about ten skips (well, same skip, repeatedly filled, removed, returned empty) taken, I can't imagine how appalling your street must be! He's taking the piss.

TemptressofWaikiki · 12/12/2018 21:08

Yep, stick to your guns. If you pay him, you have no leverage and might even get stung for the skip hire. Or see if there is any info about the skip company, if so, call them and have them take it away. If there are charges, deduct them from his invoice.

HeathRobinson · 12/12/2018 21:09

Can you phone the skip people yourself to get it removed, when the road's a bit clearer?

Maelstrop · 12/12/2018 21:09

And given he used the skip for his other shite from God knows where, I would be removing any cost from that from your bill!

semideponent · 12/12/2018 21:10

YANBU. Did he arrange the skip? Then he should arrange collection. Presumably it takes the same kind of conditions to pick up as to drop off.

Keep a neutral tone, be observant rather than judgemental but don't give way.

MondayImInLove · 12/12/2018 21:10

YANBU
Stay calm and polite, just repeat that you will pay as soon as the skip is gone.

organiseandbrewery · 12/12/2018 21:10

Skip drivers can twiddle on a penny round here, do you know which skip company it is? If their details are on the skip, maybe you could give them a call.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 12/12/2018 21:12

Seems fair to withhold payment till it's gone, but .and sure he knows why you haven't paid, put it in writing in an email if possible maybe?

AntMoon · 12/12/2018 21:12

Did you pay individually for the skip or was it included in a one-lump-sum-covers it all quote with the bathroom? It's just VERY cheeky to use up skip space that you have paid for. A small suite like you describe is a very small amount to dispose of.

I've paid & used two skip loads this summer, company picked up the skip within 2 days.

Regardless of above, I'm with you and wouldn't want to pay until the skip is gone as it's become a 'thing'. Could he have not paid for the skip yet? Waiting for your payment to pay it maybe?

My experience (and I KNOW there are good tradesmen/women out there, sadly I've been let down/lied to/cowboy work/gone to court...) is not to trust them as far as can throw them but as I said, I'm overly biased.

Hidillyho · 12/12/2018 21:16

Did you pay for the skip? As the size of the skip differs depending on the size. I would definitely be speaking to the skip hire people to get a cost and then asking the builder for an itemised cost to see if it’s roughyly the same (it’s normal to add 10% ontop so anything over +10% don’t pay)

mrscee · 12/12/2018 21:16

Very cheeky of him to use the skip for his own crap. Ring up the skip company and ask if they can remove it he's taking the pee

londonrach · 12/12/2018 21:17

You need breakdown of bill re skip as i suspect you paying for builders skip as its bot got your bits in. Has he premission to enter your property to drop his rubbish off

AdoreTheBeach · 12/12/2018 21:18

From experience, tell him you’re very happy with the work (if you are) and as soon as the job is complete - removal of skip, you’ll be very happy to settle the balance.

Ohmno · 12/12/2018 21:22

You won't get a breakdown on price you were given a quote you accepted it get over it. Once the skips gone pay up.

KeiTeNgeNge · 12/12/2018 21:24

Hold firm and only pay once the skip’s gone

Original poster
Skipuation · 12/12/2018 21:27

Thanks all.

I don't have an exact itemised bill, just a list of all tasks and the new materials which are cost listed. I'm happy with the total, the cost is not the issue, it's the inconvenience and stress it's caused me.

I know the skip company, name is on there. I don't want to have to ring them but thinking I might have to.
Builder told me today they just have a list of skips to pick up, they can't give an exact time. I messaged him about one to say the road was empty so would be a really good time. Skip office is about a 40 minute drive away.

The road isn't even that bad! I'll take a photo tomorrow.

OP posts:
EdtheBear · 12/12/2018 21:27

Settled everything but the last £200 to cover the skip.
Small builders can't afford to lie money out.

Dollymixture22 · 12/12/2018 21:27

The skip company might be awaiting payment from the builder. Or the skip company might be inefficient. We had a skip lying in our drive for a while, it turned out the skip company kept promising to remove it but hadn’t. Builder showed us the text messages.

Like others have said ring the company and ask. Might not be the poor builders fault.

Original poster
Skipuation · 12/12/2018 21:29

@Ohmno I'm not asking for a breakdown on price Confused just want it shifted!

OP posts:
MrsTommyBanks · 12/12/2018 21:34

Skip companies here are notoriously bad at collecting.
I'd phone the skip company myself and say I'm going to start billing them for every day it's left on my drive.
Did this last summer and it was gone within 24 hours.

BlackWatchBelle · 12/12/2018 21:35

Is the skip over filled? Has it possibly got stuff in it, it shouldn't? The skip company might be refusing to collect if its been mis-used.

I think you should stand firm, no skip collection no money. Definitely ring the skip firm, just for clarity if nothing else.

Original poster
Skipuation · 12/12/2018 21:36

I don't think it's the builders fault. But it's his responsibility as my contract is with him.
I'm pretty sure he's paid them because I've seen the skip lorry drive up, reverse and drive off again. Didn't even try!

But bizarrely the skip company seem to have good reviews online.

OP posts:
Bringbackbertha · 12/12/2018 21:37

Just make sure you don't get stung for the skip hire. When I have hired it was only for a set amount of time, if I wanted it longer they charged more. So only pay the price you have been quoted .

Might be worth checking how much of the costings is for the skip. If he is charging you for the size you have that isn't fair as you haven't technically used it, however if he has added a discount for using the skip for own use then fair enough.

I would contact the skip company... There is a possibility he hadn't requested collection if he is still using it and spinning a yarn and the lorry is on its way to collect another skip elsewhere

Original poster
Skipuation · 12/12/2018 21:38

Ok I'm going to phone the skip company tomorrow. Thanks all for the support, I was having a wobble.

OP posts:
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