How do I manage my expectations with the builder? 3 weeks in and not much has been done.

[ihatethecold]

He is very easy to get along with but im struggling with how slow the job is taking so far. We are not having too much done. A garage converted into 2 rooms and a complete re design of the kitchen ( no extension to the kitchen)
3 weeks and all he has done is build a trench for the footings of a wall thats being bricked up. built the wall 12ft by 8ft. taken out a doorway in the garage and put a steel in.
Thats it...... in 3 weeks.
he has a labourer with him sometimes.
He still hasn't arrived today.

Is it bad that I've texted him to ask where he is?

Ive asked that the job is finished by the 20th of June. In another 8 weeks.

He really is working part time here. He said he would only be doing our job and not use this as an infill but I know he is doing other small jobs because he tells me.

You need a GANT chart and a weekly meeting. Put down a list of all the things to be done and timeframe and each week tick off what has been done in the meeting and redo the timeframe as needed however builders will let things slip they will blame supplies etc so build in some wiggle room. You need to hold him accountable to get things moving.

Ive not heard of a GANT chart.
He also wants to talk to me far too much. Its nice to have a chat for a few mins but its becoming too much.

Apologies for the spelling I'd blame the 6 month old sleeping in my arms but that would be a fib . As for the chat what I used to do was talk to them first thing then breezily say help yourself to tea and coffee I've got some jobs to be getting on with - then sharply exit and not go back on - pack yourself a little picnic bag and away you go.

I've been having a garage conversion - he started on 7th March and will be finished next week (which probably actually means the week after)

im jealous Lubey.

I can't leave the house very much , My dd is homeschooling online at the moment due to MH issues with school.

dp and I both work from home so the process is driving us pretty insane now - can't wait for it to be over! I hope your builder is faster than ours. We did have a lot fo snow delays, up a hill so kept getting cut off. Still that probably only added a weeks and a half of the 3 months though