The house improvements rant thread

Fatlegs46 · 2023-10-26T15:40:31+00:00

I’m so over managing the work men that have been working on my house! Yes, I do want the wall at 90 degrees, no that broken tile will not be ‘alright’, no I’m not happy to have the handle on crooked. Meant to be finished tomorrow but my snagging list grows each day. They are good, I’ve used them before but currently they seem a bit lax on the detail. Tomorrow will see me micro managing them I think, in between work calls 😡 Feel free to rant here if you a in a similar situation!

catinanotherlife · 26/10/2023 17:20

Sounds like a nightmare!

TeenLifeMum · 26/10/2023 17:56

Our kitchen was like this. They had no quality control and every evening felt like a test of what we’d accept out of pure exasperation.

Original poster

Fatlegs46 · 26/10/2023 18:55

That’s is no quality control. Death by a thousand cuts

OP posts:

Spurn · 27/10/2023 14:15

Thank you for starting this thread @Fatlegs46. I need a rant! Especially today!

The guy I’ve got working for me on a day rate at the moment, nice guy and does get things done (eventually) but I often feel like he can’t be bothered and gets the minimum done each day. He’s supposed to come 7.30 - 3pm but often comes at 8 and makes excuses to leave at 2. He’s constantly stopping for fag breaks and if I ever offer him a cuppa (every hour or two) he’ll keep talking at me for ages, before I’ve had a chance to make it and for a good while after!

I’m a little extra annoyed today because I had some work done by another contractor (which I was totally messed about by as well) but he couldn’t finish the job and offered to pay my builder deducted from my total price to do it. He asked for that money today but I’ve already paid him on a day rate to do that same work so he’s getting paid twice!

Not to mention the silly mistakes that I have to pay them to fix because it’s done on a day rate but I daren’t sack him as he at least turns up, unlike my plumber! Loads of other stuff going wrong but this is already too long. Today is one of those days where I’m regretting buying a project 😆

BlueMongoose · 27/10/2023 14:24

Spurn · 27/10/2023 14:15

Thank you for starting this thread @Fatlegs46. I need a rant! Especially today!

The guy I’ve got working for me on a day rate at the moment, nice guy and does get things done (eventually) but I often feel like he can’t be bothered and gets the minimum done each day. He’s supposed to come 7.30 - 3pm but often comes at 8 and makes excuses to leave at 2. He’s constantly stopping for fag breaks and if I ever offer him a cuppa (every hour or two) he’ll keep talking at me for ages, before I’ve had a chance to make it and for a good while after!

I’m a little extra annoyed today because I had some work done by another contractor (which I was totally messed about by as well) but he couldn’t finish the job and offered to pay my builder deducted from my total price to do it. He asked for that money today but I’ve already paid him on a day rate to do that same work so he’s getting paid twice!

Not to mention the silly mistakes that I have to pay them to fix because it’s done on a day rate but I daren’t sack him as he at least turns up, unlike my plumber! Loads of other stuff going wrong but this is already too long. Today is one of those days where I’m regretting buying a project 😆

Put him on an hourly rate. And keep a note of the times he's there. He's taking the piss.
A daily rate should mean the equivalent of 9-5 with a lunch break.

Spurn · 27/10/2023 14:32

BlueMongoose · 27/10/2023 14:24

Put him on an hourly rate. And keep a note of the times he's there. He's taking the piss.
A daily rate should mean the equivalent of 9-5 with a lunch break.

Show quote history

I’ve employed him through another builder who I pay directly for everything so he’s the one employing/paying him. I know if I told the other builder, he’d be on him but I struggle with assertiveness and don’t want to get him in trouble.

The bits he’s doing are nearing the end thankfully but he’ll probably manage to drag it out till Xmas. I might ask for a finish date actually - that might chivvy him along.

Freshair1 · 27/10/2023 19:06

'the skirting needs checking as it looks wonky.'
'check the plastering as it looks like it could do with another skim.'
'is his working pattern from 8 or 9?'
'please clarify your next step.'

It's not about being 'assertive' it's about depersonalising every single thing you say.

For example:
'Did you get the tiling done? It looks wonky.'
Change to - 'Has the tiling been checked?'

Freshair1 · 27/10/2023 19:07

Take 'you' and 'I' out of every thing you say. Works in every aspect of life.

Iamonetoo · 27/10/2023 21:57

Argh I need this thread. 7 months in to a complete rebuild, everyone sick of everyone else now, trades blaming each other, final figures don't match, is this normal?

SammySays · 27/10/2023 22:35

Can I jump on here! Having our new house renovated and I don’t know why we were given a quote/cost estimate in the first place because it’s going way over. Was quoted £30k for the works we wanted done, I’ve already paid £15k so you would hope we’d be halfway done. Barely touched the surface and living in a wreck. Had no bathroom or kitchen for 3 weeks. Everything has been started at once with no real progress. Was told we are looking at another 6-8 weeks of work this morning which will take final bill to circa £60k-£75k. I’d understand if they started work and the house was falling down but absolutely nothing has gone wrong. In fact, they keep saying how everything is easier than expected and what good condition everything is in. I’m absolutely livid.

Original poster

Fatlegs46 · 28/10/2023 22:37

Oh goodness! Best wishes to you all. Now we have the sink that doesn’t fit. It’s been in the garage for 2 weeks and nobody thought to check until fitting day 🫣

OP posts:

BlueMongoose · 28/10/2023 22:47

SammySays · 27/10/2023 22:35

Can I jump on here! Having our new house renovated and I don’t know why we were given a quote/cost estimate in the first place because it’s going way over. Was quoted £30k for the works we wanted done, I’ve already paid £15k so you would hope we’d be halfway done. Barely touched the surface and living in a wreck. Had no bathroom or kitchen for 3 weeks. Everything has been started at once with no real progress. Was told we are looking at another 6-8 weeks of work this morning which will take final bill to circa £60k-£75k. I’d understand if they started work and the house was falling down but absolutely nothing has gone wrong. In fact, they keep saying how everything is easier than expected and what good condition everything is in. I’m absolutely livid.

If it was a quotation and not an estimate, they have to stick to it. OP, I am assertive, but I can see it is difficult for you. But another time, I'd say, an hourly rate. Or better still, a quote for the job.

Noseyoldcow · 28/10/2023 22:51

We've just had a bathroom refit. Nightmare. Poor communication, poor timekeeping and worst of all poor workmanship. If anyone can tell me how to guarantee the firm you've chosen will a) do the work correctly, b) do it on time and c) not rip you off would you please enlighten me.

SammySays · 29/10/2023 00:03

BlueMongoose · 28/10/2023 22:47

If it was a quotation and not an estimate, they have to stick to it. OP, I am assertive, but I can see it is difficult for you. But another time, I'd say, an hourly rate. Or better still, a quote for the job.

Show quote history

It was a detailed estimate so expected some movement but more than double the estimate with no issues is rediculous. Have told them if I was willing to just throw money at the project like an endless pit I wouldn’t have asked for an estimate. The money simply isn’t there. We will decide how best to proceed next week.

KathrynWheel · 29/10/2023 06:08

Noseyoldcow · 28/10/2023 22:51

We've just had a bathroom refit. Nightmare. Poor communication, poor timekeeping and worst of all poor workmanship. If anyone can tell me how to guarantee the firm you've chosen will a) do the work correctly, b) do it on time and c) not rip you off would you please enlighten me.

Sounds about par for the course. A new but common problem that also needs to be factored in is poor attitude. Moaning and complaining about the job/workload/boss/other trades. Literally huffing an puffing. Clearly can't stand working/having to get out of bed/do a full days work.

billysboy · 29/10/2023 06:19

If the guy is on daywork it is fair and reasonable to expect him to be there for the day
speak to the person that is paying him

Original poster

Fatlegs46 · 29/10/2023 13:00

By a full day, I assume you mean 10-3 🙄

OP posts:

Whatsrightnow · 29/10/2023 15:24

Currently getting house insulated and they've ruined all my belongings in the process by not covering properly. Haven't showed in 2 days and living in dust with 2 small children. Absolute nightmare.

rrrrrreatt · 29/10/2023 15:40

I needed this thread today!! Have been renovating for 9 months now and I’m so over it all.

We paid our builder day rate and he was rushing to finish to go on holiday so no time for snagging. I also spent the final few weeks signed off work with stress due to the renovation being so behind so wasn’t as on the ball with quality control.

Over the last few weeks we’ve slowly uncovered more and more snags; little holes where tiles/boards aren’t flush to the wall, a leak behind our kitchen cupboards, etc. My bf won’t say anything and when I’ve tried to broach it with the builder (until recently on holiday) he’s swerved the issue.

The latest problem is the plastering in our kitchen is a shambles. There’s cracks, lumps and grooves in it. I’ve spent my day hungover trying to sand it down so I can do a mist coat to highlight the many imperfections…which I’ll then have to fill/fix myself. I have plaster dust in my eyes and I’m very much on the edge. My bf has tried to trim down a beautiful windowsill a friend made out of worktop offcut for us and fucked it so it’s now unusable.

I think I hate this house.

Iamonetoo · 29/10/2023 17:57

It's not the house you hate @rrrrrreatt it's the builders, that's just awful.

FailWhale · 29/10/2023 19:23

Hmmm... Good thread to read today. I'm literally just about to bid on a house that will need renovating top to bottom. Gorgeous location and for the price it's a steal but I saw another in an equally good location for my purposes that's a lot cheaper potentially and not much work needed. Didn't make my heart sing the way the duffer did but maybe my heart will be sobbing this time next year if I do win it...

My Mum waited years to have her dream kitchen put in and the whole process was crap start to finish, why she didn't throw down at any point I have literally no idea. They've left her with a kitchen that on first glance is lovely but to live with is totally annoying. It makes visiting crap too as even when you pay the house a compliment she finds some aspect she hates due to the kitchen. You really can fall out of love with homes I guess.

Spurn · 29/10/2023 19:27

Sorry to hear of PP’s stress. I think this is a particularly hard time to renovate with the cost of materials and shortage of good trades. It took me ages to find someone who was at least reliable so I don’t want to rock the boat too much.

I’m one step forwards and 5 back at the moment. I had a wall removed and it’s transformed the room so was feeling really happy and finding my passion for the house again. But then I had a problem with a smart heating system I had installed so haven’t had any heating for the last few weeks. Whilst the engineer was here fixing it, the shower started leaking water into the room below currently undergoing renovation. Then my drains collapsed. Looking at 10k to fix, if not more. Sometimes it just doesn’t feel worth it.

BlueMongoose · 29/10/2023 21:31

SammySays · 29/10/2023 00:03

It was a detailed estimate so expected some movement but more than double the estimate with no issues is rediculous. Have told them if I was willing to just throw money at the project like an endless pit I wouldn’t have asked for an estimate. The money simply isn’t there. We will decide how best to proceed next week.

Edited

Show quote history

I:m so sorry to hear that. I hops you can get some sort of agreement and proceed with the work. Maybe pay them for what they have done and tell them to leave, if you think you could get the remaining wok done for the same or less by someone else.

BlueMongoose · 29/10/2023 21:36

I've never paid a tradesman a daily rate. Or taken someone new on with an estimate. I accept only quotations from anyone new. Any changes during the work because of what they uncover, or whatever, I have a requote for the extra before giving the go-ahead.
From people I know and trust, I will take up a rough estimate, as I know they won't rip me off. But daily rates- no.

terrichild · 29/10/2023 22:04

I have been renovating houses for 40 years and the problems you all talk of are no different now than all those years ago. I could and maybe should write a book about the numerous excuses tradesmen have made,excuses for not showing up said with a straight face,being accused of being aggressive when ‘complaining’ of shoddy workmanship etc. I got to the point that I couldn’t face dealing with them anymore because they are like spoilt children and they wore me out!!