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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

WIBU to leave a shitty review then block?

12 replies

Bobsyer · 07/12/2021 18:24

For context - have recently moved and hired a tradesman to split a large room in two, add some new sockets and basically finish the room off.

He has not done it.

He has partially done the walls, fucked up the wiring so we have no lights in either room, has used the cheapest architrave instead of skirting board, hasn’t laid the carpet back down properly - basically, I need an electrician, a joiner, a carpet fitter and a plasterer to finish it off. Oh, let’s not forget he’s left loads of rubbish here too.

Anyway - he called me last Monday saying he would be coming first thing Tuesday to finish everything bar the electrics. He was having a colleague come on Friday with him to do that as he wasn’t sure what he was doing wrong. Fine.

He didn’t show Tuesday. He also didn’t show Friday. Naturally, he didn’t respond to any texts or calls. He’d also agreed to do some work for my neighbour, took the money then ghosted.

I managed to get him on the phone today - he agreed he’d be coming over - of course he didn’t, proper chickenshit arsehole probably wasn’t expecting a bollocking.

Anyway (thanks if you’ve got this far!) I now just don’t want him in my house anymore. I’m so angry and upset. I want to send him a text telling him not to bother contacting me again, then I’ll block him and leave some choice reviews on both his Facebook and the trade site I found him on.

TL;DR: WIBU to block a shit tradesman and leave some reviews? I’ve paid him about 85% of the agreed amount so I’m out of pocket but at least I still have the plaster and plasterboard and electric stuff.

OP posts:

Original poster

Bobsyer · 07/12/2021 18:25

Oh - forgot to add, my neighbour managed to speak to him today, he transferred back 90% of the up front monies as he couldn’t afford the rest so he was clearly never going to show up at mine as he needs more materials!

OP posts:

MereDintofPandiculation · 07/12/2021 18:29

YWBU to leave a “choice” review; YWNBU to leave a purely factual review.

Hoardasurass · 07/12/2021 18:34

I'd report him to trading standards and go to small claims court to get the cost of fixing his bodged job.
Also unless he is a licensed electrician him even touching the electrics (to screw them up) is a criminal offence and extremely dangerous

ScrumptiousBears · 07/12/2021 18:37

We took a builder to small claims. Really easy to do. I think they rely of people not following up Or being too scared to confront.

HelplesslyHoping · 07/12/2021 18:41

Take him to small claims, don't leave any false reviews, only completely factual and not exaggerated

ChangeChingyChange · 07/12/2021 18:47

Why are you all paying builders up front I ask for an invoice for materials and cover the cost of those usually then settle with the builder once the work is complete and I'm happy. Have had loads of building work done and never had an issue with this. Lesson learned OP don't pay upfront again. Also do leave a really bad and detailed review to warn others off.

Original poster

Bobsyer · 07/12/2021 18:55

I know I feel really stupid.

He asked for 1/3 up front for materials which I agreed, and then just kept asking for a bit here a bit there - and tbh I just clearly wasn’t on the ball keeping up with what I’d already given him.

I wouldn’t leave any false reviews only completely factual. I’ll think about small claims but honestly just the thought stresses me out. I’m glad we moved but there’s SO much needs doing.

I’m also just really embarrassed. I have such a fear of being ripped off and still managed to get ripped off

OP posts:

cobblers123 · 07/12/2021 18:57

I've never paid any money up front for building work. It's all been paid once the job is finished and I was happy with it.

I even offered a portion of the money up front to one builder and he refused saying pay me when work completed.

Crazykatie · 07/12/2021 19:02

Many builders will ask you to get or pay for the materials, this is normal, if it’s a big job maybe stage payments too, no problem if the work is being done properly.
Never pay for the labour until it’s been completed satisfactorily, only cowboys ask for advance payments for work not done.

SmartCar · 07/12/2021 19:43

With pictures too so no one can say your lying.

rumblypumbly · 07/12/2021 19:57

I swear this could be the builder we had in this time last year to do literally the same job.
We were left in the lurch with them not showing up and doing a shit job. We sacked them and got different people in and eventually finished on 23rd Dec!

Good luck getting it sorted.

FangsForTheMemory · 07/12/2021 20:01

I would do it. And also for the record, most reliable tradesmen don't need money upfront: they have accounts with the places they buy materials from. You pay when the work is done. The exception was my kitchen which I bought direct from Howdens and paid Howdens but I didn't pay the fitter a penny for his work until it was finished.

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