Unreasonable expectations of how much can be achieved in a day (building work)?

[DevilsKitchen]

Having my downstairs renovated. Kitchen is being replaced and tiled floor in kitchen, hallway and downstairs toilet.

We are 4 days in and so far on Monday they took out the old kitchen, on Tuesday nobody came until about 3pm and he stayed for about 2 hours moving some electrics. Yesterday someone plastered and someone else started laying the floor - this seems to be taking forever.

All rooms are small and the total floor tile coverage is around 7.5m2. My tiler has been here two full days and he has still not even finished laying the floor tiles, let alone grouting and the tiles for the walls.

To be fair he is doing an amazing job and I’m really impressed with how everything is lined up and the precision of corners etc so it’s not a criticism per se, I just cannot believe he still has my whole downstairs loo to go. He will be back to finish tomorrow and also apparently probably Monday.

So tomorrow I will be a full week in to my supposedly two-week project with not a single kitchen unit fitted.

AIBU to have expected things to have moved faster than this? Or is it normal to be this slow?

I think with builders you need to remember you are paying for the task to be completed, not paying them by the hour.

They probably have other jobs on, are waiting on things to be delivered, letting stuff dry etc.

The actual fitting of the kitchen will be quite quick - I think they got mine in during one day.

Just let them do their thing, especially if they’re going a good job.

Thank you @MidnightPatrol that was very measured. Interesting that your units went in very quickly, I thought that would be the bit that would take a long time and have been wondering if we are in for a third week

Agree with PP
You are paying the tiler for the job...does the amount you are paying feel like 2 days work or 4 days work?
If you feel you are paying for 2 days and it's taking longer you got a bargain.

And they can't all work in the same space at the same time....do you have one main contractor who is project managing? Many will also have other jobs on.

Do you know if your kitchen units come partially built or completely flat pack as that will make a difference.

I think with builders you need to remember you are paying for the task to be completed, not paying them by the hour.

When I was little there were two houses being built down our road, one a set of 3 terrace houses (3 beds) , and the other a single detached (also a 3 bed).
The terrace houses were complete before the detached was onto the second storey walls.

Df went to chat to the builders. Turned out the terrace ones were paid by the job done, and the detached by the hour. 🤣
Df wasn't too impressed by the person who was building the detached so he then "helped" by offering the builders copious cups of tea.🤣

@FTPM1980 Tbh I don’t know which is why I’m not sure if I am unreasonable. I am obviously not a tiler but I’m really surprised it is taking so long to cover such a small space.

I have one main guy who is the kitchen fitter and he is organising all the others to come. It did irritate me that only 2 hours work got done on Tuesday.

My kitchen units are already assembled and waiting patiently in my garage 🤣

I know I am paying them to get the job done but the longer it goes on the longer I have to survive on take away and the kind dinner invitations of friends and family (I know I could use my slowcooker/air fryer etc. but I simply refuse to wash up in my bathroom which was only fitted last year)

I spent the best part of a year on a six month building project so have spent a lot of time rationalising the thoughts and actions of builders….

@MidnightPatrol 🤣🤣 it does feel as though they are a law unto themselves - show up when they want, leave when they want, unable/unwilling to give you a start date, drives me loopy as someone who is very organised and likes to know what is going on

Are you paying for the job or by the day? If the former then it doesn’t really matter.

Seems like you’ve got some pretty big problems on your plate op, may I suggest a spa day

@Duckinglunacy I’m paying for the job but the longer it goes on the longer I have to live in disruption and mess

Tileing is a craft and it takes a lot of preparation and patience. If it is slightly off it will drive you mad.

Family tilers spent years continuously tiling a very famous brewery. Some of their first work completed over 60 years ago is still perfect and viewable in a national building in Ireland.

I would always leave Master craft person to their schedule.

Tiling a large flat area with straight edges is a lot quicker than a small area with lots of edges/corners = lots of cuts. Smaller area has more edges for the size of the space

If the units are assembled it will be quick.

Unfortunately no-one is sat around waiting for work to come in. Most trades are booked up months in advance, and while you are waiting for the plasterer so is someone else...who can't proceed until the plastering is done.
So it's pretty normal, and best for all involved that they are juggling multiple jobs at a time...at least you are seeing progress.

Paper plates are your friend....no washing up.

We are 4 days in and so far on Monday they took out the old kitchen, on Tuesday nobody came until about 3pm and he stayed for about 2 hours moving some electrics. Yesterday someone plastered and someone else started laying the floor - this seems to be taking forever.

So on the Monday the joiner was booked in. Tuesday the electrician. Wednesday the plasterer. Each trade was booked for the next consecutive day. I don't think that's too bad.

We recently had a brand new kitchen but once everything was ripped out it took a total of 3.5 weeks until the new kitchen was useable.

Week 1 - rip out old kitchen and extensive electrical work.
Week 2 - plastering and floor screeding.
Week 3 - new kitchen, final electrical work and new flooring.

We felt like we were camping out indoors amongst dust, debris and lots of ‘stuff’ everywhere whilst it was being done but well worth the hassle.

You’ll get there, good luck!