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Original poster

Builder has gone AWOL

114 replies

PurplePansy05 · 08/04/2021 14:39

Hi All. A bit of an odd situation.

Our builder was due to start renovating our recently purchased house this afternoon. We've been in regular contact for months, he's been in the property several times, we have all the designs, quotes and timescales agreed in writing.

For completeness, we know him well because he's completed renovation of our previous house which was excellent. We are on friendly terms with him and know he's an honest man.

We are currently living and wfh squished in two rooms because we've stripped the rest of the house bare as agreed, ready for him to start this afternoon. I am also 22 weeks pregnant, due in August.

We last had contact with him on Good Friday and all was well.

Since then, we rang, emailed and texted and absolute silence. This is completely not like him, he is normally very responsive and on busy days would revert at say 7am or 10pm when he isn't working. This has never been an issue.

We know he has had some health problems and was due to attend hospital appointments, but at no point was there any talk about him not doing the work.

I am now getting seriously concerned, I am worried about him and also worried about our renovation, I don't understand what is going on and as you can imagine, we need to get this done before DS arrives. The house is old and has not been renovated for 40 years so there is a lot to do.

Any thoughts, please? I can't believe I am even writing this and having to ask for advice. xx

OP posts:
DoubleTweenQueen · 09/04/2021 15:34

*of"

Netaporter · 09/04/2021 15:39

@PurplePansy05

Chin up. Sounds like your DH needs to get his act together bless. I renovate houses for a living and have a development company. DM me if you need a hand hold. Obviously I’ll be no help with any Howdens questions Wink

TomHardyAndMe · 09/04/2021 15:48

I know a fabulous builder OP who covers Cardiff. He did a 5 month significant building project for us and I genuinely couldn’t fault him. I’ll PM you his details.

Original poster
PurplePansy05 · 09/04/2021 15:52

Flowers Thank you ladies. xx

OP posts:
CherryJane · 09/04/2021 16:01

I know an excellent carpenter and tiler/kitchen fitters based in VOG. They came to my aid in.2018 when my cowboy kitchen fitter/builder did a runner half way through a renovation job. There maybe a wait for the carpenter as he's sought after but he's excellent and a good honest workman and may be able to provide other contacts.
Pm me if you want thier details.

afrikat · 09/04/2021 16:11

OP I really feel for you, I hope you manage to find someone who can help. Good luck with it all x

Original poster
PurplePansy05 · 09/04/2021 16:12

Thank you for the DMs and the well wishes. CherryJane, I've just DM'd you now. 🍒 xx

OP posts:
Andthenanothercupoftea · 09/04/2021 16:14

Best of luck! I think the fact you've said you open to leaving some rooms unfinished is a big step forward. You'll make it through this.

Re water pressure don't worry about that your baby will happily have a bath in the sink or a baby bath they won't be showering until much older!

You've got a kitchen, you've got a bathroom and somewhere to sleep. You will be fine.

ThePawtriarchy · 09/04/2021 17:18

Argh, that sounds like an entirely shit situation. I’m sorry 😩

Lassy1945 · 09/04/2021 17:24

Personally I’d be very concerned to use a builder that has immediate or even imminent availability.

The good builders are booked up way in advance

I wait more than 5 months for mine. So incredibly worth it though

Original poster
PurplePansy05 · 09/04/2021 17:35

I think assumptions may not always be helpful, sometimes it's the case someone cancels a job or they can no longer go ahead. We wouldn't go with someone not used before by neighbours/friends/our estate agent who is a personal friend of mine. Or someone with really solid reviews on MB in the alternative. Of course they are pretty unlikely to have immediate availability in which case the only way I see it is to split it somehow so at least us and DS can sleep in one room together which wouldn't even be possible now.

OP posts:
Lassy1945 · 09/04/2021 17:49

@PurplePansy05

I think assumptions may not always be helpful, sometimes it's the case someone cancels a job or they can no longer go ahead. We wouldn't go with someone not used before by neighbours/friends/our estate agent who is a personal friend of mine. Or someone with really solid reviews on MB in the alternative. Of course they are pretty unlikely to have immediate availability in which case the only way I see it is to split it somehow so at least us and DS can sleep in one room together which wouldn't even be possible now.
Mine had a cancellation (it was my friend, hence I knew) I moved on to next job on waiting list. I was fourth!
Lassy1945 · 09/04/2021 17:49

he moved on

Original poster
PurplePansy05 · 09/04/2021 18:10

Right, ok, fair enough.

OP posts:
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