To complain about garden workmen?

[DatingMum6838]

I’m currently having some work done in the garden - half of it dug up and replaced with alternative flooring - I’m having it done under a disability/accessibility grant because of my daughter’s needs and the garden before being unsafe for her.

They have been here for nearly a week so far, they were booked here for another week so 2 weeks in total. The issue I’m having is that they are hardly actually ever here. For example, yesterday I saw them for an hour in the morning then they disappeared, came back for an hour in the afternoon and then went home early. Today one of them showed up for literally 25 minutes if that and now he has gone again.

AIBU to complain about this? I don’t really want them here longer than needed as it’s disrupting the whole household. For example, I have a dog who I currently can’t let out in the back and I’m a single parent household so my mum is currently having to come round every night before bed so I can run him around the block for a wee.

I know the work has to be done and that’s absolutely fine but is this taking the piss so far?

It depends if their three week timeline was already taking into account nipping off to finish other bits of jobs. As long as the work is done in the three weeks stated I’m not sure what there is you can complain about.
Its not ideal, as it would probably be done in half the time if they were there full time, but they have given a timeline and, unless they stated they would be there all day every day for those three weeks, then they aren’t doing anything wrong.

@OwOwHolyCow it’s 2 weeks and yes they was contracted to be here from 8am to 5pm everyday.

They are obviously doing other jobs alongside yours, yes I would complain and I would also tell them the issue with the dog, maybe that might get them moving a bit faster. Have you spoken to them and asked why they aren’t doing the contracted hours?

I think that's taking the mick. I'd complain and say look this is what I was paid for and it's for 2 weeks of work 8-5, I'm not going to pay for another weeks worth of work if the workers and never here to actually do their job on time. Be quite firm with them.

Did you arrange the work directly or did whoever the grant is coming from sort it? Is the company aware that the money is coming from a grant?
If you didn't arrange it, then they may have quoted for extra time so they can do other jobs alongside while charging for two weeks' work, knowing it's being paid for by a grant. This sort of thing is a massive pisstake, but not uncommon I don't think.
If they think you're paying for their time, then tell them you'll only pay for the time worked.

Either way, report it to the company owner. Tell whoever is paying the grant what the company are up to if they arranged the contractor. The company won't want to lose any contractual work they have agreed.

I don't know much about gardening jobs but if it is anything like building, there may be some waiting time involved as well as sourcing supplies (which I think should be done as part of the working day).
My partner never charges per day/per hour. He always gives a quote and approximate timeline for the project because otherwise there are times when he would literally be sitting there waiting for paint to dry. So this, at times, means he would be on one job for an hour in the morning and cannot come back until the next day when it is ready for the next stage. He always has two-three jobs going at the same time for this reason.

I think I'd just ask if they are still on track for the finishing date. No need to complain at this stage in my opinion.

Did you hire them privately or is it being done under your local government (used loosely) instructions? I think that would help to clarify