Builder putting back start dates

[HomelyK]

Was meant to have extension built in the next two months with confirmed builder last year. The firm has now stated due to shortages they are 3 months behind and the people before us have only just started (meant to be a few months ago) and are adding bits on... So likely not going to be able to start for another 6 months. Is this normal? The building firm is a well known firm and has a good rep... Is it just like this at the moment with delays?

It seems very normal unfortunately. Problems getting supplies and staff. Thanks Brexit -but here we are taking back control.

Ours was supposed to start in may. Keeps getting pushed back because supplies are delaying jobs, pingdemic, lack of trades to get jobs finished, covid outbreaks etc.
I've almost given up ever expecting to see them.

We are having work done at the moment, due to start July, pushed back to mid august and then delayed a further week… then he got covid after a few days work at our house so another ten day delay 😩. I know others have much longer delays. As it happens he can only do part of what we need doing because the other bits haven’t come in (windows and front door) so we just have to wait for them to arrive at some point! So yes very normal at the moment!

Very normal. It's annoying now but when you get to the end of the job you'll want them to stuck with you until they've finished!

In a way, it's a good sign that they're being honest with you rather than "starting" on time to get you committed to the job but actually disappearing off to another site all the time.

Our 3 month build has just gone into month 5.Our builder has said they can’t do an extras for us as they are now running so late. It has been delayed again and again due to difficulty getting materials. The kead time for our windows doubled... Everyone I know who is having work done is finding the same.

Its a really bad time to start a new building job. Like the poster above, it sounds to me like your builder is actually being responsible. If I were yo I would hang on until the spring.

Very normal at the moment I'm afraid. At least they are keeping in touch with you about it.

We've had so many delays with our build. Finding a builder, then covid, now this. Our planning consent is in danger of expiring before the work starts.

Normal at the moment, and it's better they're telling you now rather than starting and leaving you with a "live" site for 3 months longer than expected while they do multiple jobs.

Yep normal I'm afraid but I strongly agree with PP that they are actually being honest about it and not just letting you have a building site for months on end.

I am in a similar situation. Ours is a first floor extension. My builder was supposed to have started the work in 1st week April, then that was pushed to 2nd May and then 9th May and still no sign of any material or any activity at the site. It has been quite stressful and responses have been too slow and late from the builder. Initial deposit of 5% was paid at the time of signing the contract and then my foolishness that I requested the builder to order material in advance so there are no hick-ups during build stage and so I paid about £13,000 for the material invoices presented, all payments via bank transfer to builders account.
I have provided multiple opportunities to the builder to come true with the start date that he can realistically achieve but the builder insists on being ready to start but some how keeps pushing week by week.

Last week starting 9th May, scaffolding was supposed to be up but no sign yet and when asked the builder about that, he said he will followup with the scaffolding. But when I seek for an update, there is no response.
Now I am just praying the builder does not scam us out. He seems to be a good guy and has carried out a lot of good work and I really don't want to go legal.

Any similar experiences please share and how that was dealt with. Any advise will be highly appreciated as this is affecting our daily life.

Many thanks for reading.

Here in Western Australia, we now have a phenomenon called “ghost slabs”. Got the slab down and everything comes to a screeching halt.

I had occasional dealings with a builders supplier. He has stories of what’s unavailable this week. One week it was bathroom cabinet handles. Another week, it was architraves. Honestly, it’s like living in a communism memoir.