Seriously.
It’s all just been a bit of a big nightmare around here lately. I know that homes and projects in Blogland usually seem to be perfect, but things in the real world – at least for these bloggers – don’t always run that smoothly.
The thing is, I probably find it more annoying than most. I can happily say that over the years I’ve successfully dealt with dozens of trades people and usually things go more or less to plan, yes, of course you get let down sometimes, and yes, it’s always annoying, but in the last few weeks things around here really haven’t been going to plan.
Our boiler should have been moved months ago, a new lintel should have been installed weeks before that and don’t even get me started on the plasterer.
With so many projects going on around here, it’s inevitable that some things may not go quite to plan, but at the moment it feels like every project we tackle or even think about undertaking doesn’t go as it should.
Our plasterer (who came recommended) was scheduled to do some work on Thursday. We were up till midnight the night before and then up again at six trying to finish off a few projects and removing curtains and curtain rails for him to be able to work. Then, next day, just after he was due to arrive he texted this
Seriously, what do you say to that?
Being complete idiots, we actually still gave him another chance (as we were a bit desperate to have the work done by this point) and he was due to come on Saturday, but then let us down – again!
Needless to say, we then decided to look for a different plasterer.
Dealing with bad trades people, people that let you down, people that damage your house and trades that don’t seem to respect your property is probably almost inevitable when doing and having so much building work done to your house, but every time that something doesn’t go to plan, every time we are let down, it not only puts back our schedule, it’s annoying. It costs us more time & energy and recently has really started to get me down.
Have you ever had a bad experience with builders? How do you deal with bad trades people? Do you have any tips for dealing with bad tradesmen? What’s the most bizarre excuse you’ve ever had from a trades person?
Vanessa says
I just finished up a little flip in Michigan, having foolishly told everyone I’d be done in 8 weeks (it’s only 815 sq/ft) it ended up taking 12 and I DO know that is still amazingly fast. I had great service from all but two of my contractors but I did get burned with my main group of guys. There was no argument, just that as I was driving over one morning to go over some details with them, they took off so fast, they left their cold beverages behind. It was a small relief, however, as I had retained $1,000 and got the rest of the work done for a bit less and met a good dry-waller in the process. It was funny because we had just started talking about what they could do for me on my next project. So guess what? No more next project, no more goodwill, no more references. That is the kind of behavior that makes you think, I can probably do this myself – and look where it has gotten you two!
Christine says
Being let down by trades is always annoying. In the greater scheme of things, we have been lucky. Bad trades people are definitely one of the reasons we started to DIY in the first place (saving money was a big one, too!).
Congratulations on your flip – 12 weeks is an amazing achievement!
Cx
Rocky says
How can a get cat urine smell out of my wooden floor. I want to put rugs down but i won’t do it with the smell.
Christine says
We shared a post on how we removed dog pee when we first moved into our home. You can read it here. I’m not sure how effective it will be against cat urine but it’s always worth a try!
Cx
Kerrie says
I had a builder who started really well and did most of the work and then just stopped turning up. He left quite a bit of equipment in my garage and no matter how many times I contacted him and he promised to arrive – he never did. Thankfully I had deliberately not paid his final bill. In the end I sent an email (so it was in writing) saying (nicely) that as it was now 9 times he had not arrived when booked, he needed to contact me by the end of the week or I would use the money I still owed him to get someone else to finish the work. He didn’t contact me and I not only got a really good handyman to finish it all off, but I managed to get a few other bits done for the money I owed the builder. He never even came back to get his stuff!
Maybe it will turn out for the best for you too ;) Cheers
Christine says
Wow, that’s really bizarre. I really makes you wonder what builders are sometimes thinking. Glad to hear that it all turned out well for you in the end – I’m sure it’ll be fine here too!
Cx
KarenAnita says
I still can’t believe this excuse :( It’s such poor form! I think the problem with this industry (from my personal experience over the past year or so) is that whilst they may be awesome at their trade – and so get recommendations – they’re probably not very skilled in business or customer relations.
Give me a shout if you’re still looking for a plasterer and I’ll message you some that we’ve used :)
On the bright side, it’s nice to know we’re not the only ones who always seem to have house delays. Feel like I’m never going to do a Before/After blog post. The After never seems to come! xxx
Christine says
Yep, still can’t quite get over it either! We have since managed to sort a new plasterer (will definitely get in touch if he lets us down), but he now can’t come because the boiler still hasn’t been moved (should have been done in November).
As annoying as it is, it is nice to hear that we’re not he only ones who have issues with some trades people! Hope it all runs smoothly for you now – especially as I’m desperate to see your before and after post!
Cx
Kelly Goldman says
Hah! WOW. I can’t believe he didn’t show up to work and told you it was because he was drunk. That’s just… wow.
Christine says
I know! Probably a case of too much honesty!
Cx
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
As I already told you, one of my brand new window leaks. And yes, I told you that last month, and I’m still there. So, the window frame I was supposed to do is waiting and even if I chose the colour for the room, I dare not paint in case we need to change the window and replaster. Next appointement for that is next Thrusday, I hope they won’t let me down. So I have no advice, I deal the best I can, but I swear a lot, it helps!
Christine says
I know, so annoying! I know that it’s not nice to read about negative things that happens, but I guess we’re proof that things to always go to plan.
Keeping our fingers crossed for your window!
Cx