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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not begin a lift conversion this Spring?

33 replies

Mrsbadger77 · 07/04/2020 07:59

I'm currently in an email'dispute' with a builder I had asked to complete a loft conversion this spring. We agreed to go ahead this Spring obviously before this all kicked off.
He is being very unpleasant with me when I have listed numerous reasons for not wanting to go ahead with the work. ( all of us here in the house all day and DH WFH, what would happen if we went into a total lockdown building work suspended, financial concerns, DH immunosuppressed the list goes on. )
Surely only a crazy person would begin building work at this time and builder is being a dick ( although I do feel for him as he is obviously losing money)or AIBU?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mrsbadger77 · 07/04/2020 08:00

Aargh LOFT conversion ffs

OP posts:
Raffathebear · 07/04/2020 08:02

Yanbu and its shit for your poot neighbours at this time of all times! I wouldnt hire him at all now thats his attitude. His financial circumstances are his own problem. Block him after a firm noway josé email.

madamim · 07/04/2020 08:03

Has he started any work on the loft conversion? if not tell him piss off because of his behaviour he has lost the contract, bloody idiot x

MinorArcana · 07/04/2020 08:06

YANBU, this is a terrible time to start major work on your house.

I can understand your builder having financial concerns of his own, that’s probably what’s behind his attitude, but even so, now’s not the time for a loft conversion.

Original poster
Mrsbadger77 · 07/04/2020 08:08

No he's not begun anything. And yes the poor neighbours!

OP posts:
TheHumansAreDefinitelyDead · 07/04/2020 08:10

Call it off

And cancel the whole thing

rjebgf · 07/04/2020 08:11

My neighbour has an extension in progress that has been halted due to CV. I really would not allow this work to start. You could be left in a horrendous mess and the tips are closed. If he is being very unpleasant, I would not allow him to do the job, ever. Major work is a nightmare at the best of times, without having to deal with an aggressive idiot.

Original poster
Mrsbadger77 · 07/04/2020 08:12

Yes I've told him I'm going to 'pursue other avenues ' but he has made me feel like shit.

OP posts:
Splitsunrise · 07/04/2020 08:12

Definitely definitely call it off, there’s no way this can go ahead!

crazydiamond222 · 07/04/2020 08:13

We are in the middle of an extension but if we had not started we would not be doing any building at this time. Quite aside from the issue of having builders inside your home I think he will struggle to obtain necessary materials.

YinuCeatleAyru · 07/04/2020 08:13

hope it's ok to jump on this thread with a related issue. we have a few cracked tiles on our roof which haven't developed into a full leak yet but will do if left too much longer. we have a roofer booked for end May to redo the whole roof. I haven't contacted him yet to find out what the deal is given the lockdown because honestly I don't know whether its mad to want the work to go ahead. in normal circumstances it would all be done in a week once it starts. should I be pushing him to confirm it will go ahead, or putting it off?

crazydiamond222 · 07/04/2020 08:14

I think yinu if the work can all be done externally and socially distaned it is ok. You should check though whether he can get all the materials he needs and whether things like scaffolding are available.

Original poster
Mrsbadger77 · 07/04/2020 08:15

If it's something that needs doing urgently I would speak to him and ask about how he will get materials, keep to social distancing etc.

OP posts:
Lionsleepstonight · 07/04/2020 08:15

Cancel the lot. What an idiot. Self employed are getting help from June. I wouldnt have him back once we come out the other side.

debbs77 · 07/04/2020 08:16

So many suppliers are shut so he wouldn't even be able to get the materials x

acatcalledjohn · 07/04/2020 08:20

Don't get it started until all this is over. If he's got an issue with that then tough. You don't owe him reasons, just a "we aren't in a position to continue with this work" will suffice.

Eskarina1 · 07/04/2020 08:21

I know we get conflicting messages from the Government but Michael Gove has very clearly stated building work that involves builders coming into occupied homes is a breach of lockdown. We've had to isolate our loft from the rest of the property (builder is accessing via scaffolding) so he can make us watertight and we'll stop when we are.

If he's being unpleasant to you, over something you can't control, I'd look at cancelling altogether

GatoFofo · 07/04/2020 08:23

Tell him your income is affected by the current situation so you can no longer afford the loft conversion.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 07/04/2020 08:24

I misread the title as "lift conversation" and thought 'I'm not even getting in a lift with anyone rights now, let alone having a conversation in one" Grin

A friend whose husband is a builder is astounded that a neighbour was pushing ahead with a loft conversion (started after the lockdown) - was talking about this at the weekend, her main gripe was the noise given that she's at home all day.
The risk to you of people working in your home all day! It's not essential work, and if it's a small builder, what if the workers get sick, and you're left without a roof for three months with no work going on.
Also likely to be delays because of shortage/lack of availability of materials, not to mention the noise to you and neighbours. Definitely reason to postpone.
Hope that you've not paid a deposit.

Trooperslaneagain · 07/04/2020 08:27

We've been fighting for a grant for essential work to our block for nearly 5 years now - conservation area so £££££ - finally got the ok, scaffolding up and nada will be happening for the foreseeable.

DH can't even get basic wood here for a side project never mind builders being able to get stuff for an extension. YADNBU.

Original poster
Mrsbadger77 · 07/04/2020 08:33

Thank you all! I feel so much better. All the reasons you've mentioned are ones I've put to him. He is just an unpleasant individual it seems. Glad we found this out now. Thankfully we've not paid him anything.

OP posts:
Redcherries · 07/04/2020 08:47

We're construction and no way would we consider a loft conversion right now, we'd postpone the works until lock down eases and clients were comfortable. I have 2 large projects (not residential) currently on hold.

He sounds very unpleasant, I can understand he will be stressed and worried, he may have been relying on the income but theres no need for it, its a fast way to lose a customer isn't it!

Have you put anything in writing to say you will be proceeding with the works with him?

TooGood2BeTrue · 07/04/2020 08:56

I would think that you are legally entitled to cancel the (verbal) contract with the builder for your loft conversion because there has been a change in the circumstances on which the contract was based, which is out of your and his control.

Original poster
Mrsbadger77 · 07/04/2020 09:18

@Redcherries @TooGood2BeTrue
I emailed I'm to say we would be using him. But surely there's no way that would stand up given the change in circumstances. We would have been happy to go with him in a few months time but definitely not now.

OP posts:
Rollercoaster1920 · 07/04/2020 09:29

I hope you've checked your contract. Cancelling may cost you.

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