Loft/extension support thread...

[Itshouldntmatter]

It may just be me, but oh my goodness am I finding our loft conversion a stressful business. My hubby isn't that interested, and he is scared of heights so has no desire to go up a ladder and check what is going on. I know what i want so I have been doing all the dealing with the builders. But, it turns out that I didn't read the quote we signed properly, and some things weren't explicitly stated. I know, VERY stupid. So, now I'm trying to agree with a builder about things I thought were included, which he is now saying weren't (from his point of view, he evidently has no memory of them because we discussed them months ago and he has a million and one other jobs).

At the same time, he never replies to emails, he prefers to talk over the phone. But of course, then nothing is in writing. So when discussing today (having been awake since 3.30am worrying about it all), I mention that I know he's not very good at replying to emails - which considering he has sent an email reply to 1 of the 20+ I've sent (I like email as a form of communication!), I didn't mean as a slight, but rather as a statement of fact. But he gets all offended, as though I'm insulting him. So I have to say I didn't mean to cause offence, but it is simply that I like to communicate by email and I know he prefers the phone. So, he then says he will call me back in 30 minutes. That was an hour ago.

We are only a few weeks into our loft conversion, and I really want to stay on good terms with him because I think it will make a massive difference to the quality of their work.

Oh, and did I mention that they use their own private building controls people so I don't even have the security of knowing that someone external is checking their work?

Anyone else stressed or am I being unreasonable about life and what to expect?

Ah, shucks, it's just me having a nervous breakdown then struggles back to corner and pulls dust-sheet over her head again as she adds figures into the ever expanding costings spreadsheet -

Dear Itshouldntmatter, I really understand how you feel now.

I was the same at the beginning of our extension project. In our case we used a wellknown London extension specialist. From the early stage, we felt something was not right. However we wanted to believe everything is going to be ok when the project finishes so carried on. The real problems(Defects) became apparent to us towards the completion. We had such a difficult time forcing them to rectify, wasting time and money. I found the law is currently not in the innocent consumer's side in a construction dispute. ( new Consumer right bill coming soon!)

I don't want to scare you and your builder might not be a bad one.
But we regret we should have trusted our instinct and known the words "cut loss".

Your project has just started, not too late. why don't you bring some independent professionals to monitor the project? And don't let the builder to chose his favourite private Building Controller(approived inspector). You has the right to select. If you go for a private inspector,find a competent reliable approved inspector who works for your interest. Some companies will offer more inspections and certifying the plan with extra cost. Find a tough inspector. Or use the local authority. Our extension company used an approved inspector at their choice. We believed they were going to use the local council.
The result? Many serious non-compliant defects. And the inspector even refused to show us when and what was inspected.

One other thing I learnt. Cowboy builder likes soft and nice clients.

Be in control! I hope your project is going to be successful.