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Original poster

Have you ever cleared off and left the builders to it?

39 replies

Lottapianos · 17/07/2020 12:51

We need some work done to our kitchen and bathroom, which the builder told us will take 5 or 6 days, hopefully starting end of August. We're thinking of going on a short holiday or going to visit in laws so we're not here under the builders feet and we dont have to deal with the disruption either. Have you done this / would you do this? The builder has been recommended by family members, he has done a lot of work for them and they say hes entirely trustworthy

OP posts:
Takingontheworld · 17/07/2020 12:52

Yes. Worst mistake ever. Zero respect for the house and they made small design decisions that still bug me to this day.

Be on site and stay on top of them.

EmpressoftheMundane · 17/07/2020 12:53

Yes. We are about to do this. And have done this.

If you have a clear and detailed plan and leave for the demolition and first fix, it’s fine. I’d want to be around for the final fix though.

areallthenamesusedup · 17/07/2020 12:55

Yep. Renovated a whole house by phone pictures :)

Anyway, how about you go away but close enough to pop back every night?

That way you are on top but builders don't have to clear up every night which makes it easier quicker and thus cheaper.

WanderingTrolley1 · 17/07/2020 12:55

Yes. Went on holiday. All was fine.

Original poster
Lottapianos · 17/07/2020 12:57

'Anyway, how about you go away but close enough to pop back every night?'

Visiting family would be 6 hour drive away so no popping back

OP posts:
relievedlady · 17/07/2020 13:02

My parents did this.

Had all electrics being rewired at the same time as a whole new bathroom set up.

They pissed off for seven days and I spent more time dealing with the foreman and having to pop over to ok stuff and then not on other stuff it was hell.

I managed to divert a major electrical disaster and we had to get a plasterer in because the electrician literally trashed all the walls Hmm

Don't do it op

pinkmagic1 · 17/07/2020 13:02

Yes, went in holiday whilst we had our bathroom done a few years ago. No problems.

cosmo30 · 17/07/2020 13:11

Just lived through a six week extension. It was tough at times and pretty much lived upstairs but good to be there and see first hand what's happening as lots of questions come up etc. The electricians were the messiest by far

BillywigSting · 17/07/2020 13:20

Did this when we bought our current house (stayed in old house while renovating) and never again. Like pp, zero respect for the house, think cigarette butts left on the stone tile kitchen floor, destroyed the stairs carpet which were going to wait to replace, cut corners all over the place. We are looking at taking them to small claims for the pig's ear they made of it.

My aunt also went away when she had her kitchen redone after a fire, and really regrets it. The units etc are all lovely but the layout is bonkers.

Don't just leave them too it op. If you can't stand to stay in the house at least get a B&B or something near by so you can check in on them.

ElaineMarieBenes · 17/07/2020 13:29

Yes we did this - our builders were fabulous (they also tidied up every day even though we weren’t living there!). If you trust them go and have a break!

DeeplyMovingExperience · 17/07/2020 20:19

Yes. Worst decision ever.

4 week job, and we had a project manager. The house was utterly destroyed when we got back. Yes, the work had been done, but the house was trashed. The filth and mess, layers of dust, carpets ruined. I will never EVER leave a project site again.

Utter utter bastards.

DeeplyMovingExperience · 17/07/2020 20:19

Oh, and it cost us over 50 grand.

LindowMan · 17/07/2020 20:26

We went on holiday, was great and all sorted when we got back.

Finals1234 · 17/07/2020 22:51

I'm getting work dien to my house in the next few months and would not dream of going away at that time! If anything I plan to pop back into the house every day to see how things are going - to learn more about the process if nothing else and to understand a bit more about how my house is put together. I really wouldn't leave them to if if you can avoid it at all.

Smallgoon · 18/07/2020 00:24

No, I wouldn't. Even if I trusted them implicitly, I just couldn't.

earsup · 18/07/2020 01:11

Did it twice...first time I popped in to check and all in garden reading paper and smoking...!!.. little progress..!! Second time already knew the small team and all ok and tidy etc.

purplecorkheart · 18/07/2020 01:33

Yes but the building contractor was a family friend and his team were gents. It worked out great for me but unless it was them I would never have done it. I knew them all since a kid and they knew me.

GemmeFatale · 18/07/2020 08:45

If you have kids I’d send them off to visit family with one parent and have the other adult stay home to manage the work.

userxx · 18/07/2020 08:52

I did, I went on holiday. Got home about 3 in the morning and realised there was no electricity, the house was in pitch black so I went to the loo and got in bed. In the morning I realised that every tradesman and his mate had used my loo and I'd been sat on it the night before with my skin touching the filth 🤮

sbplanet · 18/07/2020 11:25

Yes, hate being around when things are 'half done' stresses me out. Got to be able to trust the tradespeople. But you could get them to send photos too.

SimonJT · 18/07/2020 11:28

I had my bathroom and kitchen done at the same time last year, I had a four year old so it was going to be a nightmare. I went on holiday, the PM called me everyday and sent pictures. Got home and everything was as per the plans.

Bluntness100 · 18/07/2020 11:29

Yes, fucked off on holiday and had the bathroom done. Can’t believe we did it now and no way would we do it again even though they did a fab job. It’s more the handing your keys over to strangers,

Jemma2907 · 18/07/2020 11:38

We went away for the first week of a 4 week (supposedly- ended up being 6 week) project. The builders made sure they got the majority of the structural work done while we were away which including removing a structural wall incl. chimney stack. It made it easier for them and us, especially as we have young children. We were then still around for the finer details.

madcatladyforever · 18/07/2020 11:40

Yes I have and other tradesmen as well and will never ever do it again. They have as much common sense as dormice and never think to ring you if there is a problem.

madcatladyforever · 18/07/2020 11:43

Yes. Worst decision ever.
4 week job, and we had a project manager. The house was utterly destroyed when we got back. Yes, the work had been done, but the house was trashed. The filth and mess, layers of dust, carpets ruined. I will never EVER leave a project site again.
Utter utter bastards.

Same, what gets me is they don't seem to wonder in their teeny brains what our reaction will be when we get home. Yet if we were there they would not dare to behave like that.
The last one who did this to me did not get paid. I told him to take me to small claims if he had a problem with that. Funnily enough he never did.

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