New kitchen - 6 months and counting

[KatesKitchenNightmares]

... I need to read the Riot Act to my builder don't I?

Maybe I'm being unreasonable, but the work started 6 months ago with installing a utility room (now complete) but the main kitchen has been rewired (first fix) and replastered, rewired and floor down, but only half the kitchen units have been installed (he said they'd all be in by the end of last week, they're not, he didn't turn up on Friday, and now he's on holiday all this week). I plumbed in the washing machine myself.

Now my lodger (who was paying a significantly reduced rent due to the building work) has lost patience and handed in her notice. I can't blame her, but it's a bit gutting because she's lovely and a hard act to follow, and I need the building work done before I can find a new lodger.

I WFH, have seen a lot of the builder, made endless cups of coffee, and so have become friendly with him, which makes it harder. He's also not one to agree to deadlines - when you say "when will X be done" the response is "yes".

I honestly can't believe how long it's taken, but how do I tackle this with him?

What’s he been doing?? Is he at your house most days?

For comparison, in three months we’ve had a full rewire, new boiler & heating system, all the ceilings boarded, a new bathroom (built up from brick) and various structural repairs. We do sometimes have two people working at once but we’ve also had some quiet weeks with no one in.

Have you tied payment to completing stages?

Baffled as to what he's been doing. When we last had our kitchen done, including wiring, it took two weeks. Reminds me of when we had our bathroom done by some cowboys who were taking far too long. Turned out they came in the morning, then when we left for work they went to work on other jobs, and they came back to ours just before we returned from work, pretending they'd been there the whole day. Only found out because I went home sick expecting them to be there. I still found it really awkward confronting them because until then we'd chatted lots and got on. I got my dad to be there too for moral support because I knew I needed to say something but was intimidated by the situation.

The thing that confuses me here is that as you wfh presumably he's been turning up every day and doing.. something? But what could have occupied him for some long with so little progress? It sounds like you've tried to get dates out of him before but with no luck. Maybe sit down with a pen and paper, ask him to list what specific jobs are left to do to complete the job. For each task ask how much time he expects it to take and note it down. Badger him each day until done. 'How's X going? You said it would take X, are you still on track to finish it by then?'

I'm concerned about payment. How has he been charging you?

Part of the issue is that he has had more holidays in the last 6 months than I've had in the last 5 years; we lost him for 3 weeks at Christmas, a month another holiday followed by a personal issue, and we're in the midst of a week off. I think there have been other weeks where he just hasn't been here but I'm starting to lose track.

The other part of the issue is that when he needs a second pair of hands he relies on casuals - one he sacked, and another is currently off sick. Some of his subcontractors are great, others not so much.

The kitchen is a funny shape and according to him, one of the hardest he's ever fitted.

When he's here he's usually here from 9/10 to 3/4 but progress on some days is more visible than others. I've stopped work (self employed thankfully) and gone out to get spare parts for him before now just to keep him on site and working. But - that sort of interruption and being frequently asked to make small decisions/ check something is correct etc is impacting my productivity at a busy time of year.

In terms of payment, periodically he sends me an invoice which I've been paying so it's all in stages. I should probably count up and see how much of the original estimate I've already paid.