I hate my builders so much. A small rant.

[OurHouseAtTheEndOfOurStreet]

And I wish they'd just finish the bastard job and move on but we're now at the stage where they have moved on to more profitable jobs and all the bits and pieces which need finishing off here are not a valuable use of their time. They have done a good job with the building work - no complaints on the quality of their workmanship but they are inconsistent, petty, money grubbing bastards. Their contract with us was vague. So for example they agreed to re-plumb the house (installing mega flow/new boulder etc) and install bathroom fittings which we purchased. They also agreed to re-wire our house. Now we find out that whilst re-wiring does cover doing the electrics for the kitchen, re-plumbing does not. So I will have a lovely new kitchen but no working sink or dishwasher unless I pay them yet more money.
Every day there is a new, sneaky extra cost and I am sick of battling with them about everything. We are more than happy to pay for extras which we have asked for but stuff that previous builders have done as part of their contract are never covered (like boxing in mucky pipework).
I just want them finished and out of my house

I just wanted to say I feel your pain. Our build is running two months behind (probably2.5 months really). All the fitters I've booked have rejigged their dates twice, main contractor avoiding my phone calls, we're renting and having to extend our lease - which eats in to available funds. They work they do is good, I know the builder will do a great job eventually (I have great references) but FFS get a move on.

NotonTheStairs - glad it's not just me!
I want my house back

Oh god can I join. We made the mistake of employing a builder while overseas hence a garage conversion which should have take maximum 2 months is still not finished 5 months later . i have come back to half finished jobs ( I have no idea why a builder can't finish a job) and ridiculous quotes for extras . Totally over it now know how you feel about builder moved on. I still owe him money so I guess he will show his face again eventually Meanwhile I am fixing all his shoddy workmanship because I can't wait for him. Unfortunately I do not share the confidence of knowing there will be a good job at the end. I am just grateful it is now almost livable again. I think that's how builders make their money they basically come and destroy your house and then you are so grateful to get anything like normality again you will pay anything just to get rid of them

That us unbelievable OP did they fit the kitchen? I've never heard of this how can they retrofit plumbing if the sink is already in?. Bunch of shysters

I hate mine too! 16 weeks in and other than the first 2 weeks we're averaging a day a week! 😡😡

We made the mistake of employing a 'friend' he estimated 4 months, took 2 years, ran 12 jobs at a time. DH had go to his house and nag him to return to the job. Never did it properly, and repairs ever since (not by him).

Never again.

*infiniteSheldon' We have a kitchen company doing fitting the kitchen but they want extra for plumbing too. We don't mind paying for things but feel like we've already paid for this once!

Starsofwater - that sounds like a complete nightmare. I assume you aren't still friends!

This makes me even more certain that I want someone else to organise the contract and supervise, even if it costs a bit more!

You need a project manager the builders are only usually responsible for getting a hot and cold feed to the kitchen. They only plumb a sink in if they supply and fit the kitchen (usually) Either you (project manager) or kitchen fitters should have employed a plumber to actually connect the feed to the right places, same for electrics. It's the kitchen fitters job really not the builders hope you get it sorted.

Thanks infinitesheldon - what's the position with the electrics in this scenario?

Same as plumber usually first fix electrics is before plasterer/ after builders have done the structural work. You can save money by managing the project and employing/organising all trades yourself but you need to keep asking what needs to be done first? What needs to be done before you start? So you don't miss anything.

That's the problem infinitesheldon, there hasn't been clarity or consistency. The electrics for the kitchen were (apparently) included but the plumbing wasn't but we didn't know that until half the kitchen was in! In terms of the boxing in, in one room they boxed something in, without us asking them to, in another room, they refused to do it.
It's driving me mad .

Please don't pay up in advance, you only have leverage when they need to come back to get paid.

It sounds like the builders thought the kitchen company was fitting the kitchen but kitchen company thought it was a dry fit where builders do 1st fix electrics and plumbing and thorn cube back to do 2nd fix once kitchen is in.