Builder coming and going as he wants?

[Theendog]

Am I crazy? My husband says it’s normal.

He leaves to go do a job for someone else and says “I’ll be back in an hour” and then doesn’t come back. Turns up randomly, no warning, just a knock on the door - thankfully I was home that day. He said “see you tomorrow” on Wednesday and then he randomly showed up on the Monday.

His work is good but …. Aibu to expect him to just finish the job (the quote has already doubled) when he says he will?

I think you're being taken for a mug tbh.

Your quote has doubled and he's popping out to do jobs for other people?! That's ridiculous.

He’s taking the piss. It’s normal to have multiple jobs on the go as you often need to leave things to set/dry or can’t do certain jobs in bad weather, but it’s certainly not normal to just piss off mid-job or turn up on totally random days.

In some ways this is normal but not with a moving quote for labour.

We had roofers in and they came and went. Sometimes because of the weather so they went off to do quotes, paperwork or material collection. Sometimes emergencies for roof water leaks. However most good weather days they were with us at least most of the day. Main thing, we paid for the labour work at the agreed price. We had some increases in materials but that was because we decided to upgrade the quoted materials

You need to be sure that your labour isn't increasing and that you are his main job and he's making acceptable progress. So many limp along, find excuses for increases and request stage payments when, realistically, they may have started work but if they were to leave now you'd be in a worse position not better!

I had a new radiator installed and it needed new pipe work doing .. so I can see why it’s increased.

I’m just so annoyed as the jobs I have are small, I’m not doing an entire renovation. And he’s been in my property about 4 days now in total.

I probably am being taken for a mug, but he hasn’t been paid yet. I got the new invoice last night but whilst the work is unfinished I’m not paying it.

I’ve had extensive work and renovations done at our house involving all manners of professionals like plumbers, electricians, plasterers, builders etc and all have arrived usually by 8-9am and worked full days till job was done…I’ve never had anyone walk off to do another job midway through and then not come back till a random day! I think they’re taking your complacently for permission to take the piss. I’d also be wanting a breakdown why costs have doubled and I’ll be looking at invoices for supplies etc.

I think it’s pretty normal for them to have a few jobs on the go. Often they are waiting for other people to be available to do bits (plumber, electrician etc) before they can proceed or the weather isn’t favourable or the job has changed slightly and materials aren’t available when are supposed to be etc. It’s a bit cheeky for your quote to have doubled though, how did that come about?

Your husband knows it isn’t normal for them to come and go to this extreme but he doesn’t want to tell the builder that you’re not happy. He would rather gaslight you. I would just ask the builder to be straight with about when he will be coming.

It’s a way of stretching the job out so the original quote seems reasonable

you will find the actual hours spent is minimal but the hope is you lose track of it all and in the end are just relieved it’s done

he will be running multiple jobs and saying the same thing to everyone

• just have to go get a part
• just had an emergency call
• family emergency, need to leave
• went to get a part but the shop was shut
• supplier hasn’t delivered some materials

etc etc

I think a reasonable, explained, coming and going is ok, but increasing quote without rational explanation is not

I depends, if he's doing something that needs time to set/go off I can understand why he would. My partner is a builder and there are times when there is only half a day's work so he will go on to another job (would only charge half a day though odviously). But if not he's taking the piss.

Are you adding jobs on top of what was originally agreed now he’s there working? They may be small but all add up in time and he’s probably trying to fit you in while having to work for the other customers that he had already booked in. People are busy this time of year.

All of my builders have been like this. I’ve done a couple of properties up and used the same guys as their quality of work was excellent.

However it took me a long time to simply accept and adjust to this. They even installed a side safe on my house with a key so they could come and go as they pleased. Years later it’s still there and only this week I’ve had him pop in to do some carpentry - just uses the side access still like he hasn’t ever been away.

I trust them completely. Work is solid. Their comings and goings drive me mental. However it’s fine and worth it for good workmen. My son was 18 months when they started and he’s nearly 9 now(2 houses in that time). Even he chats away to the two of them like there mates popping in as he knows them so well now.

During the build we never paid upfront - only once work was completed. Often we would be chasing him to pay. Guess the trust went both ways.

Ironically in typing this he’s just WhatsApp’d to say “car issues be there this afternoon”.

This is why we need more women in the trades. We can manage a diary, stick to a schedule, balance the books and have lots of skills. We understand that the customer's time is valuable, they can't be waiting in all day in the hope the work person will turn up.