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Original poster

Is it horrendous having work done at the moment?

56 replies

MsAnnFrope · 31/08/2021 17:58

I keep hearing horror stories about delayed supplies, extortionate prices and unreliable contractors for having work done on the house because of COVID/Brexit.

Is this the case? Has anyone found it noticeably bad having work done? We want our kitchen remodelled, we have a professional design and a couple of quotes but are wondering if we should wait until next year?
I’d be grateful for anyone’s experience of this.

OP posts:
Verbena87 · 31/08/2021 18:01

We just had 4 days of electrical work done on ours and it was great, in line with what we expected cost wise, not affected by shortages that we know of. We did go on a recommendation and it was just wiring/lights rather than kitchen fitting but possibly not as bad as you’re fearing.

sauvignonblue · 31/08/2021 18:10

We are having major renovation work and things have been slow. Builders off site with Covid, supplies that would normally be picked up same day taking a few days to source. Also, beware that all the things you'd order - nice lights, ovens etc are often on long delays.

But at least it is getting done. Not a disaster. Just can't be impatient.

Original poster
MsAnnFrope · 31/08/2021 18:15

Thanks @sauvignonblue it’s the fear of having no kitchen for Christmas as we host!

I’m thinking it may be better to delay until spring as we are not rushing to do it, the old kitchen is perfectly serviceable just old!

OP posts:
PoshWatchShitShoes · 31/08/2021 18:47

We're just starting a 3-month renovation. The delays have already started.

My cooker was ordered many months ago (hoping for delivery next week). The kitchen sink has a 10-week lead time. The master bath is at least 8 weeks lead time. The wood we wanted for a major part of the build is currently unknown for delivery time... I wanted to add some extra units for our kitchen that's being delivered in mid-October, but got told the extra units couldn't be delivered till end March!!

Add in the inflated prices and it's ridiculous. You'd be very lucky to find tradespeople this side of Christmas.

mrstea301 · 31/08/2021 19:07

We've been looking for quotes for work to get done in our garden and for a full new roof, most companies won't even come out to look at the job to give us an estimate until next year. Prepared to just abandon it until next year but have the fear that the roof won't make it through winter if it's another harsh one.

Hekatestorch · 31/08/2021 19:12

Yes.
The scaffolding, for my new roof went up last Tuesday.

Wednesday they didn't come because of supplies
Thursday they worked until 2pm
Friday they did come because van broke down
Today they didn't come because one of them had to go to a walk in centre today.

I actually, suspect he said he could fit me in last week to secure the work. But had other jobs on. So came started so I can't just tell him to piss off, then did work somewhere else on Friday and Saturday morning.

I am guessing today is because he wanted to go out for the Bank Holiday.

I have had 2 people in to measure up for fitted wardrobes. Should have had the quotes last week, haven't yet.

The only people who have been good are the people who fitted my new door and windows.

LubaLuca · 31/08/2021 19:17

We've had work done this summer. It took a long time to get someone to come out to quote and then commit, but no problems with getting the materials or enough labourers. The scaffolding is still there though, a couple of months after they finished - apparently the scaffolders won't come and get it until they have another job to take it straight to Hmm, which suggests they're not in high demand.

Sum2021 · 31/08/2021 19:17

Wait! I had a basic renovation set to last 3 weeks - 2 months in, 3 times the budget and not a single complete job. I do also if they are blaming the 'shortage of supplies' to really take the pee. But when it comes to money they are quick to respond.

Dogoodfeelgood · 31/08/2021 19:26

Yes it is horrendous and our builder is tearing his hair out with all the delays on everything. As PP said, things that would be next day usually are taking weeks, holding everything up. They’re also really busy and seem to be juggling a lot of projects so constantly delayed in terms of turning up etc. I would just wait especially if you have a three month deadline - our bathrooms were 4 months over deadline.

Decorhate · 31/08/2021 19:26

It is horrendous for your neighbours if you are having extensive work done & they are still working from home.

Someone bought the house next door, told us they were doing it up to live in themselves, we had 5 months of noise, whilst they lived elsewhere, then they put it on the market as soon as the work was finished.

I just hope the new buyers like what they have done & don’t want to start more work!

mklanch · 31/08/2021 19:30

@mrstea301

We've been looking for quotes for work to get done in our garden and for a full new roof, most companies won't even come out to look at the job to give us an estimate until next year. Prepared to just abandon it until next year but have the fear that the roof won't make it through winter if it's another harsh one.
we are buying a property (bungalow) and have had the same problem!! our whole roof needs replacing water leaked through from last winter so it wont survive another but everyone is fully booked until jan/feb!! same with painter and decorators, or at least the good ones
TheHouseILiveIn · 31/08/2021 19:32

@LubaLuca

We've had work done this summer. It took a long time to get someone to come out to quote and then commit, but no problems with getting the materials or enough labourers. The scaffolding is still there though, a couple of months after they finished - apparently the scaffolders won't come and get it until they have another job to take it straight to Hmm, which suggests they're not in high demand.
Shock 🤣
Hoppinggreen · 31/08/2021 19:34

We’ve got plumbers in but we’ve used them for years and have everything we need (although the bath was due to arrive in May and came last week). One of them was saying he can’t get a new blade for his tile cutter though

BonnyandPoppy · 31/08/2021 19:36

We’ve been designing, sorting out builders/fitters/electricians for a new kitchen since May now decided to go with an expensive designer who at least has her own tradesmen! They are due to start next week and hopefully kitchen will be finished by end of November but I’m not holding my breath. Oh and it’s costing us double than what we first budgeted.

FurierTransform · 31/08/2021 20:18

My neighbour is having a large wrap around extension done and it's been a nightmare for them. The builders are only on site one day a week at the moment, tops.

DespairingHomeowner · 31/08/2021 21:42

@MsAnnFrope: even if you have quotes, you might be waiting til after Xmas for tradesmen to be available

I’ve just had a bathroom fitted, everything I wanted was available (though I’ve noticed that not all items are - eg lots of sanitary ware is out of stock online). But I had to wait til end August after getting quotes in April. This may improve now offices are returning/travel opening up again

My bathroom job has been pretty smooth/ not fit by availability issues, BUT I went to a bathroom supplier to get everything vs buying online to avoid problems

I can see why you might delay but tbh with labour prices - they’ve gone up and may not go back down, I would focus on finding a fitter and sourcing the kitchen you want without delay, this will help you work out firm costs too

jaundicedoutlook · 31/08/2021 22:19

We’ve just finished a kitchen and just starting on a bathroom.

Kitchen didn’t really experience too much disruption, though we were told to expect delays on some appliances. As it happened they arrived in plenty of time. The fitter said his biggest issue was getting hold of plywood (as the units all sit on a ply base) and that delayed the start of work on our utility by a few days. Otherwise it was all as smooth as we could have hoped.

Hoping the same will apply to the bathroom - so far so good - all the sanitary ware arrived on time, so we’ll see how we go.

CasperGutman · 31/08/2021 23:29

I think the situation must vary somewhat between areas of the country - that or my builders must be amazing organizers and have great relationships with suppliers.

We've been having an extension built. It's at the stage of hanging doors and painting walls now. It's all gone pretty smoothly, with a few weeeks' delay due to unforeseen issues with the existing house but otherwise the quote we were given has been stuck to so far.

Apart from one week where a bricklayer was off sick, there's been someone here working a full day every day - and even a couple of weeks of double shifts with one trade here until mid afternoon and other builders coming in until 8pm to get something finished.

Cross your fingers and hope against hope. You just might get lucky!

HasaDigaEebowai · 31/08/2021 23:35

Yes

Icepinkeskimo · 01/09/2021 00:03

I can categorically inform you from my side (large construction projects) this is the worst I have ever known in lead in times in some cases going from 3/4 weeks to 8 months! The lock down basically halted production of every single base material. Where before there was always good stock availability to back up orders there is none at the moment. Every single day there is another problem. Today its bricks, nothing from our main supplier till March, ohh and let's add another 18% price increase and a catastrophic increase in haulage.

Two weeks ago it was steel and that will not change, one of the worst decisions IMO was to pull the plug on British Steel. We are now dependent on cheap rubbish imported steel, which will never be a patch on what was produced in Redcar.

So would I go ahead with any kind of building works in my own property? Not on your nelly, your be lucky if you can even get trades to turn up at the moment, it's a bidding war and they will always go to the one paying the highest rates.

Evidencebased · 01/09/2021 00:17

Yes

Senorasurf · 01/09/2021 00:17

We had a rear extension and internal structural work started in June and due to be finished completely in 2 weeks.
I had to project manage it carefully to avoid delays. It's been stressful but thankfully not bad and looks to be around 3 months start to finish.

maofteens · 01/09/2021 01:06

I'm getting a couple bathrooms replaced and new kitchen, new electrics etc, but no structural work. I've made compromises to get things that are in stock or shorter lead times. One bathroom's tiles are special order and will take six weeks, so I made sure the other bathroom tiles were in stock and that can be done first. Kitchen is Howdens and they have it in stock.
I got my tradesmen through a recommendation and lucked out as they had just finished a big job and had a couple kitchen extensions lined up but the clients are still in the planning stage, so I only had to wait six weeks for them.
But I have a builder friend who does lots of driveways and hard landscaping and he says it's been a nightmare getting flagstones and other materials and he is telling clients he can only quote on labour and ballpark the materials until he actually orders them.

HasaDigaEebowai · 01/09/2021 07:03

Honestly if I could go back to February and not start this renovation I would. It’s been completely ridiculous in terms of delays, unavailability of products and materials, shoddy supplies due to manufacturers trying to push stuff out etc.

mokojolo · 01/09/2021 07:08

This has the been the worst renovation we've done -- it's a family business and we've been doing it 25 years. We have connections, suppliers, etc, and been unable to get simple things done, endless cancellations, crazy prices, materials out of stock. I would not have done it this year if I could have avoided it.