To worry that the gardener is going to do a runner with our money?

[RicktheBrick]

So we moved to a new house earlier this year and the garden is not safe for our 3 kids. We got some quotes and found a guy via Facebook, proper company, lovely pictures of his work. He was a really nice guy too and is able to give us what we want within our budget. It's a massive project, and we are also getting the driveway widened. We booked in for Easter holidays and paid half deposit upfront, said it would take 2 weeks, great we thought. Now I'm really starting to worry that it's either not going to get done at all or it's just going to just drag on and on and take months.

Day 1 - they turned up at half 9 with a mini digger and cracked on and ripped up all the slabs on the patio. But left before 3.

Day 2 - turned up before 9, and again cracked on, dug up the rest of the patio, and leveled it out ready for slabs. Left at about half 4.

Day 3 - simply did not turn up. No text to say they were not coming, and it was only when DH text him, he said he was sorry and his child had ended up in hospital (doubt that this is true now) and that they would be here the next day.

Day 4 - 1 lad turned up at half 8 (in the bosses car), did about 2 hours work cutting back some hedges and then left for the day. Whilst he was here he said the boss would be coming too but obviously he didn't turn up.

Then it was the long bank holiday weekend so they were off from Fri-Mon.

DH text on Monday night confirming they would be here all week, he said yes they would be on the job until complete now.

Day 5 - again, no show. At about half 11 DH text asking where they were. He said they were loading up the slabs and would be bringing them after. But, you guessed it, they didn't turn up.

Day 6 - turned up at about half 9, one of the lads started digging out part of a wall and he was grafting tbf, but the boss and other lad left for about 3 hours, and came back with 2 packs of slabs. They then bought 2 trailers of sand, dumped it on the driveway and clocked off at half 2 because of the rain. Said they would be here at half 8 today and would get cracking with laying the slabs.

Today - 4 of them turned up before half 8, so I had high hopes. BUT they all left again about 5 minutes later and have been gone over an hour now.

This isn't good is it? What do we do? DH has already had several conversations with him about communication and just letting us know what is going on, but they just turn up and leave when they please without a word, they don't even knock on first thing they just come straight round to the garden.

I'm worried that we've paid over £7k to this guy and that hes just not going to complete the job. The money we have remaining is all we have and won't be anywhere near enough to pay someone else to finish it. How on earth do people run businesses like this?

I'm not bothered about recouping any money, as like I said, the work they've already done is equivalent to what we've paid so far. He knows he's not getting another penny until the full work is completed to our satisfaction as he already tried asking for another 2k as his "card got blocked", ha! As if we're that stupid!!

he already tried asking for another 2k as his "card got blocked"

Yes, I thought he might

When he discovers he's unable to rinse you for any more he'll probably walk off the job anyway, but frankly from all you've said that may be no bad thing

As predicted, they've not turned up today despite telling DH they'd be here all day. Though, 2 lads did turn up at 7.30 to take the wacker plate. DH is going to move the rest of the tools into the garage when he gets home so they can't be just randomly turning up and letting themselves into the garden to take things.

Not happy at all.

Have found another local company who have done a couple of jobs locally that I'm going to contact to come and see what we can get done for the amount of money we have left. DH can do the lawn himself, as he redid ours during lockdown.

Can you ask them on sm when they will be back to finish? They may have other customers asking the same thing... Have you a neighbourhood fb page?

Just sounds like normal English tradies to me. Very usual. 10 jobs at once etc. Irritating and annoying but usual, unfortunately 😕

Also I don't mean this unkindly but they might not be finding you the easiest customers either constantly phoning them all day etc

We don't constantly phone them all day, not sure where you've got that from or why you've just decided to make that up?

DH will usually text him if no one has turned up by midday which I think is more than fair when someone says they will be here "first thing in the morning" and he will call him if they haven't turned up at all.

I think it's more than fair to politely question someone who you've paid a lot of money to, who is blatantly lying to you.

Ok 👍 A lot of your posts reference phone calls, texts, 'numerous conversations', and so on, hence the impression.

Just thinking you often catch more flies with honey, might help things go more smoothly if you try to foster a good relationship. As opposed to going round to put his windows in 😉
(Yes I know you were exaggerating)

All house renovation stuff is annoying and frustrating and takes 10 x longer than quoted, hope you get it sorted.

Probably seems that way since they've not turned up on I'd say at least 7 days. And probably done at least 15 days where they've done half a day or less (today included). But it's generally a bit of banter between the boss and DH really, not proper serious "where are you?" constantly.

He did actually come round last night and talk to DH face to face. They went through what needs changing (because he's not done as asked) and what's left to do etc. He promised us it would be finished by the end of the week but I will believe it when I see it. He said he and all the lads would be here first thing, all day today, but 1 bloke turned up at 10 and left at half 12. He's got until the end of the week and then we are pulling the plug.

Have you put that in writing to him op. And clearly laid out the conversation your husband had about what needs to be done etc

Yes DH emailed him after he left but he also recorded the conversation.