Just how do you deal with builders?

[CakeThat]

We are part way through an extension. Builders are great and hard working when they do turn up but after the first week they are rarely here. There's always a excuse on the day why they can't come, and then they say vaguely "so we'll see you later in the week, Wednesday or Thursday, and when Thursday arrives the materials aren't in stock so they say they'll be back Monday. They obviously think I'm a very soft touch and they've obviously got another job on the go. How can I get across to them that I won't put up with any more shit without pissing them off totally so that they never come again? I don't want to appear on an episode of Cowboy Builders

Have you been given a schedule/ end date? I would be calling a meeting with the main man/business owner/ manager to discuss time frames asap. Hopefully you've not paid them anything ( or much ?)

Well you should have some sort of payment schedule agreed already - for example, x amount when damp proof course done; x amount when walls and steels in etc etc. So remind them they don't get any payment until these points are reached. Do you have a penalty clause? E.g. if x stage isn't reached by y date then a payment to the builder decreases? If not, get the main builder in for meeting and express your feelings assertively but politely. They should be organised enough to have materials delivered before they are needed, no excuses. You expect the build to be weather proof by this date and end of build be such and such and how are they going to meet this?

I'm so naive I never realised that you should set timescales. I was originally told about 6 weeks for the extension, maybe a couple of weeks extra at most. That's not going to happen now!
I have already paid some money for work already done, I think I'll find out when the next payments are due in advance.

A lot of builders take on more work than they can actually do at one time and also juggle jobs depending on the weather. If it's raining and your job is indoors they'll prioritise it.

Yeah but you have to live with the mess.and disruption. I hate it when they do this which is why I only ever have tradies in for a set couple of days max now. I would say call a meeting and together come up with a project plan and a payment schedule that goes with it. Try and be amicable but firm.