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Original poster

Carpet Fitter being PITA advise needed

63 replies

username501 · 13/10/2020 11:42

I've got the carpet fitter here and he's moaning and complaining about everything and being a royal pain.

I offered to send him pictures or said he could see the property before he did the job but he said that was ok. I explained what the job was beforehand and said that there would be furniture in each room but I would empty it all and help with moving if necessary.

He has not stopped MOANING since he got here! He had another job to get to so keeps moaning that the stairs aren't straight (it's a Victorian property), that I got two different types of underlay 9mm for stairs and 11mm for bedroom and living room - he said this was strange. I told him that this was what I was advised to do.

He moaned about the carpet I've chosen saying he'd have to put in more gripper. He's moaned about having to do a join in the living room!

I'm going to lose it soon with him. Talk me down or help me understand what's going on.

I'm thinking that he's going to do a half arsed job or wants to charge more money.

OP posts:

SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 13/10/2020 11:45

Get him to finish the room he is doing, pay him up and find someone else or just tell him to stop bloody moaning.

Or just disappear out of earshot, so he hasn't got an audience.

PigletJohn · 13/10/2020 11:46

I think he quoted you a price, and you offered him the opportunity to inspect the job in advance, which he refused.

More fool him.

Original poster

username501 · 13/10/2020 11:53

I'm too scared to ask him to finish up and leave. It's just me here. He's put in gripper in the living room and on the stairs, hasn't put down the underlay yet and has been here for nearly two hours. He keeps moaning about how long this is going to take but I had already told him that it was 40 square metres of carpet, how big the rooms were, how many stairs there were etc etc

When he moaned about the furniture - two empty bookcases, sofa and TV/table - I said I'd help him move it out but he says that there's no where to put it (my point exactly, where was I supposed to put it??) my magic portal.

He then asked to see a sample of the carpet and moaned about how he wasn't going to be able to fit it properly so I'm imagining a butcher job and it cost me a bloody fortune. Then he said that the underlay isn't very good and I said it's Tredaire which I thought was a good brand and he said 'Yes but it's not top of the range.' WTF!

OP posts:

Comefromaway · 13/10/2020 11:56

Where did you find him? He sounds incompetent.

Livpool · 13/10/2020 11:56

He sounds annoying but not sure why you are listening to him.

Maybe ask him if it is too big a job? And if so you will get someone else. He will soon shut up.

Two of my cousins are carpet fitters and one of them is a moaner! Hope he doesn't moan to customers!

Hadalifeonce · 13/10/2020 11:59

I would seriously ask him if the job is too big for him, as you would be happy to pay him for his time thus far, and you will find someone else.

Original poster

username501 · 13/10/2020 12:08

If I ask him to leave now, there is carpet gripper down everywhere with spikes. I'm in the bedroom hiding from him. He does seem incompetent. I found him on Gumtree and we have a couple of conversations beforehand where I discussed all this. Bloody hell.

OP posts:

Alexalee · 13/10/2020 12:23

Tell him to leave... don't let him ruin an expensive carpet

Horehound · 13/10/2020 12:26

Ah yes gumtree. That well known source of reputable tradespeople.

More fool you,op!

TheQueef · 13/10/2020 12:28

Deep breath.
Go and tell him you've decided to delay fitting while you check the underlay issue (it isn't an issue but use his excuse) ask him what you owe him so far.
Pay him off.
You have to look at this carpet for a few years don't let him spoil it.

Original poster

username501 · 13/10/2020 12:29

I'll let him finish putting down the underlay so I'm not impaling myself when walking around the house, then I'll speak to him.

The best and most obvious solution is to ask him to leave now before he ruins my wool carpet.

OP posts:

TheQueef · 13/10/2020 12:31

Underlay doesn't go over the grippers but good decision, he needs to go.

Original poster

username501 · 13/10/2020 12:32

Doesn't it? I have no idea, I'm just worried about the spikes everywhere.

OP posts:

Knittedfairies · 13/10/2020 12:32

The underlay won't cover the spikes. Either put dustsheets over them, or take them up - they're cheap enough if you break a couple.

Takingontheworld · 13/10/2020 12:40

Do not let him cut your expensive carpet.

Can you call someone to come and support you?

Smallgoon · 13/10/2020 12:41

proper tradespeople wouldn't be advertising on gumtree in fairness.

Original poster

username501 · 13/10/2020 12:46

I've had lots of people from Gumtree before with no problems. Someone from Gumtree even fitted my gas cooker.

I just had a peep around and most of the underlay is now fitted on the stairs and living room - seems to be ok...

OP posts:

OnCandyStripeLegs · 13/10/2020 12:47

We had a kitchen fitter that could moan for Britain. He moaned about his boss, his van, all the builders, his lunch, the weather, the kitchen - the only thing that kept me from killing him was that the builders, who were also working in the house, wanted to be first in line.

Some people just enjoy whinging.

Original poster

username501 · 13/10/2020 12:48

I'll wait until he's finished the underlay in the bedroom and will then have a chat and say that if the job is going to take too long and he needs to go then to just leave it and pay for the time so far.

OP posts:

Smallgoon · 13/10/2020 12:52

did the firm you purchased the carpet from not offer a fitting service?

BlueJava · 13/10/2020 12:54

Perhaps brace yourself for an increase in price from him - so have reasons ready. i.e. he chose not to see the job, it's a Victorian house so many things that he's complained about are expected etc.

Original poster

username501 · 13/10/2020 12:59

I'm not paying him any more than the agreed price which I have proof of via text and email. He hasn't mentioned an increase in price either so more fool him if he wants to complete the job without discussing that.

No, the place I got the carpet from can recommend fitters but don't supply fitters. They didn't have any fitters available in London. I contacted several fitters and have several conversations with this one discussing the job, price, furniture etc etc So it's not as though he turned up not knowing what to expect.

OP posts:

friendlycat · 13/10/2020 12:59

This doesn't sound great. You definitely don't want a join in the living room! That will look awful.
This is why really you want fitters affiliated with the place you bought the carpet from, but I'm guessing you bought the carpet on line?

Depending how much you are having laid, it took 2 men a day to carpet our house that was sitting room, stairs, upstairs landing and 4 bedrooms (not large bedrooms) with all furniture cleared. The carpet and underlay had already been pre cut to each room and area size ready for laying down.

Nat6999 · 13/10/2020 13:08

It took 2 fitters a long afternoon to fit my 2 bedroom house, including fitting lino to the kitchen & bathroom & stair carpet. Arrived at 12.30, left at 5.30. That included laying underlay, fitting gripper rods & door trims.

Horehound · 13/10/2020 13:11

Anyone else waiting for the update that he's ruined the carpet?

Why are you risking it, op, if you paid Alot for the carpet??

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