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Original poster

Anybody had building work done while on holiday?

29 replies

TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 18/09/2014 20:01

We've been waiting ages for the builder we want - was supposed to be late August, it's now going to be beginning of Oct.

We're having roof reslated (mid-terraced house, main roof plus original rear extension) plus new Veluxes installed to original attic, & rendering repaired - all that via scaffolding & while we're still here.

Then the attic is supposed to be gutted - replastered, new lighting, extra sockets, new radiator installed (never had one up there before) etc etc plus probably new staircase - the old one is steep & narrow & has always been a problem.

We're away for 12 days & I quite like the idea of coming back to a finished job - but is that a good idea? Builder is amenable, we can agree roughly what will happen before holiday & he can communicate via messages & photos if there are queries.

OP posts:
Selks · 18/09/2014 20:18

Yes. I wouldn't recommend it. It was a complete new kitchen including re-plastering, floor tiles, electrics etc. Came back to find they had put the sink and some of the wall cupboards in the wrong place and there were other issues that had I been around I could have given direction and sorted at the time, instead of leaving the builder to make (poor) decisions. I was 5000 miles away around the other side of the world, though.

Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 18/09/2014 20:23

Thanks, Selks Smile

We're only going to Spain (not that that makes much difference I suppose) but compared with a kitchen this seems more straightforward?

we both have iphones for texting & sending pics...

I wouldn't have a kitchen or a bathroom done while away I don't think. There is a bit of wiring & plumbing but we should be able to agree on placement before we go. I hope. Maybe.

Confused
OP posts:
Explored · 18/09/2014 20:27

It's the only best time to have building works done IMO

Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 18/09/2014 20:51

Ah - thanks, Explored - that was kind of what I was thinking!

I've no idea how long the internal stuff will take - & I hope they won't decide to not turn up while I'm not here - but I've been very nice & patient during all the not-turning-up previously & he seems like a sound bloke so fingers crossed

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passthecheese · 18/09/2014 21:55

I've not done this but former next door neighbours did. They came home to find the extension built but had no stairs, gas, water or electricity. It cost a further £20k to put right.

Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 18/09/2014 22:12

EEEK!

This is a very well-known & reliable local builder so I don't think I need to worry about that Shock

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MILdesperandum · 18/09/2014 22:14

We did - had our bathroom gutted, wall knocked down and refitted whilst on holiday. We had quite a few chats with our builder (who is a friend which helps!) and ordered and specified just about everything. I trusted him to make the right decisions and any he didn't feel he could make he emailed us. It was great to avoid weeks of sharing our house with him (much as we like him!)

bonhomme · 18/09/2014 22:16

Don't do it - you need to be around to supervise/answer questions

Betrayedbutsurvived · 18/09/2014 22:24

Yup, actually we do it regularly, but the builder in question is one we've used for ten years. If you truely think you can trust the builder its the best way.

Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 18/09/2014 22:44

oh thanks, MIL - that's how I was hoping to hear it would be Smile

We can certainly make rough specifications before we go & then he can text with any queries

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Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 18/09/2014 22:47

oops, I wrote that post ages ago, had to go away & then posted it when I came back so missed the other 2 posts.

It's a polarising question, isn't it? Grin

I do trust him, he has a very good reputation locally, & I'll always be on the end of the phone; the alternative is to let him get away this time & then not get the attic done for ages, while he's on another job/s, so it'll be empty & dirty & we won't be able to use it.

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mum9876 · 18/09/2014 22:49

We had our house rewired whilst we were on holiday in the UK. Left a mobile number for any queries.

They made no queries and didn't phone us if they were unsure. But put sockets where we didn't want them and even an extractor fan where we hadn't asked for one. All in all it's fine just a bit disappointing.

I think you have to be prepared to compromise a bit I'd say if you're not there to supervise.

imip · 18/09/2014 22:55

Two of my friends have done this of late and it has been a disaster... Sorry, I know that is not what you want to hear.

Could you Skype the builders daily? A trusted friend to liase on your behalf, and perhaps shorten your trip?

Kahlua4me · 18/09/2014 22:59

We did. Pesky builders bricked up the front door whilst we were on our honeymoon!

Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 18/09/2014 23:13

Oh Kahlua Shock - that's pure Fawlty Towers! Why did they? What happened when you got back?

imip, what did your friends have done & what were their disasters? Were they not able to keep in touch? We could probably Facetime daily although he might find that a bit of an imposition. The house won't be unoccupied while we're away, 2 adult sons will be here (though I can't trust them to be my agents), & adult daughter lives a couple of miles away & can drop in every day.

mum, as far as things like location of sockets & radiators is concerned he might well have a better idea than me of what will work & what won't (certainly some of what I chose last time we had stuff like this done wasn't brilliant!)

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lavendersun · 19/09/2014 05:46

We have, lots of times and it worked really well, jobs like bathroom, re-plastering whole house plus electrics BUT we knew the builder and electrician, had used them before in another house.

joanofarchitrave · 19/09/2014 06:07

I'd just be sure that your neighbours are OK about the building work. I would find it pretty infuriating if my neighbour were away, the builders were starting too early or just being normally noisy and THEY came back looking tanned and relaxed while I had eye twitches from being woken up at the wrong time and cleaning dust out of my house.

OliviaBenson · 19/09/2014 06:13

I'd be worried. We left someone doing out bathroom while we went away for the weekend. They didn't get much done at all and we don't think they even turned up on one of the days.

Other things to think about include the neighbours- if any party wall/noise issues crop up.

From the sound of it you'll also be needing building regulations- I always like to be there when they visit to pick up on any issues (they know more than me after all).

Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 19/09/2014 11:22

Good point about the neighbours. We'll need one lot to have scaffolding in their yard briefly - but they spent 2 years intermittently (& loudly) renovating their house so they owe us one! (They're very quiet now they've moved in). Other side has never had anything done, her predecessor renovated hers, but we get on fine with both lots so I hope they'll be OK.

I won't come back looking tanned though so less infuriating Wink

Olivia, we've got building regs for the new Veluxes - replacing 1 with 4 - it was a fixed fee for that & no inspection required. I'm not sure if replacing an existing staircase requires it or not, but the possibility was included on the original form & the council says it's fine to sort it out later (& they're well acquainted with the builder).

There's an outside chance they won't turn up all the time, but he does seem to like to get a job properly finished before moving on (which is partly why we've had to wait so long - he was on one of those jobs where the bloke kept saying 'while you're here can you just do X' Hmm - but I've done that myself in the past so I can't really complain!)

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Hughfearnley · 19/09/2014 17:57

It sounds like your going to do it anyway and are looking for happy stories to justify your decision and ignoring the horror stories.
There's no way I would leave something like this to a builder however reliable they were. There are always little things that you want to change and being on site is massively helpful.
With regard to the electric sockets, he may well have some good ideas, but it's your house and you're going to have to live with them.....

Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 19/09/2014 18:09

You're right, Hugh, well spotted!

Thing is that the alternative may be us waiting weeks after we get back until he finishes up at whatever job he goes on to. Obviously I know there can be problems, but it does seem to work for some people, which is what I was hoping to hear.

Plus I am down for a fairly traumatic facial op not long after the holiday (haven't got a date yet) & I don't much fancy recovering from that while builders tramp up & down 2 flights of stairs with buckets of plaster Confused

OP posts:
imip · 19/09/2014 18:37

Op, on both occasions the builders stopped working. So when friends came back, work was incomplete.

First friend spent 6 weeks in euro last summer, they just slacked off, their renovation works are STILL going on!

Second went to euro for 2 weeks, builder had other jobs on and a new baby and lived far away. Just took on too much work. They are still finishing off also!

We've done substantial renovations, and you have the strangest unexpected quns often.

In my own kitchen, many moons ago, I hadn't purchased Anouilh skirting. So they sliced one price of skirting in half and one bench was half a skirting board shorter than the other. Fuckwits. I wasn't even away, just at work for the day!

Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 19/09/2014 18:40

Anouilh skirting, imip? you have a very intellectual phone Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 19/09/2014 18:42

I don't think the builder will be on with other jobs at the same time, but I suppose that might be an issue with plumber & electrician - I'll ask him about that

Interesting though that your builder was idiotic when you were around but just not present!

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OliviaBenson · 19/09/2014 18:50

A new staircase will require building regs I'm afraid. Anyway, hope it a all works out for you - enjoy your hol and hope the op goes ok. You certainly have a lot going on!