Ripped off By Builder

MatyMoo

I think it was Cowboy Trap but don't have a link, sorry

SUESMITH_2

MatyMoo wrote: »

I think it was Cowboy Trap but don't have a link, sorry

thought it was, i wonder which programme it was?

JohnnyJet

Managed to do a bit more since last time, but I have added a few items that I missed off, so I have actually done a little more than it looks. Even though I have probably slowed a little due to work commitments, motivation and a bit of a back problem.

FirstFloor

Drylining and filling holes inc screw holes (was 4 days now 2 days).
Painting walls (was 6 days now 2 days).
Fit skirting board (3 days).
Painting skirting board (3 days).
Fit 8x door lining etc - 4 doors (3 days).
Paint door linings (1 day).
Make custom door for smaller size door (1 day).
Board eave storage (1 day).
Make eave doors and insulate x6 (4 days). Done
Add window shelf and supporting frame (1 day). Done
Fit chimney cowl (1/2 day). Done
Finish Cat6 cabling (1/2 day).
Tint / Oil Floor (3 days).
Paint stair spindles (1 day).

Total (20½ days).

Ground Floor

Cut wood for hole under stairs (1 hour)Build cupboard to house consumer unit (1 day)
Fit carpets – 1 carpet left (1 day)
Finish sanding and painting bedroom skirting (1 day).
Caulk all windows and doors (was 1 day now ½ day). Done
Finish bathroom painting (1/2 day).
Fit kitchen blind and other small kitchen items (1/2 day).
Make door for non-custom frame (1 day).
Paint and add skirting in under stairs cupboard (was 1 day now ½ day).
Plaster and paint door seal (1 day).
Paint airing cupboard (1 day).
re-fit stair railings,posts and bannister (was 2 days now ½ day). Done
Paint staircase, walls and posts (was 2 days now 1 ½ days).
Fit understairs cabinet (1/2 day).
Finish network cabling (1/2 day).
Add bottom of staircase beading or sand and re-paint (1/2 day).

Total (10 1/2 days).
Total time reduced from 38½ days to 31 days.

JohnnyJet

SUESMITH wrote: »

can someone post a link to which tv show joe was on please?

we have just had a lot of building work done, we have been very lucky and have had excellent tradesmen (bar one, but that's now sorted) but the stress of just normal building work has been enough - i really don't know how you have carried on through all this.

so pleased for you its almost finished, bet you can't wait to be finished and be able to just come home, shut the door and relax and not have to think of that need doing

Hi, thanks for your support, I'm hoping to have most of it finished before the summer, just need one final push. I was on Cowboy Trap. Just got asked again if I was interested in doing a revisited programme, but think I will turn that down. I can't see a benefit.

miggy

I think you would have a following from MSE if you did the revisit programme!

Just wanted to say how impressive that list of yours is. I like the way you break activities down into time taken: one more job and you will have less than a month's work to go! Also I expect the kids are old enough to notice now so just think what a good example you are setting them. Not for them the need to call in a plumber to fix a dripping tap - though I suspect that when they grow up they will call on Dad!

LannieDuck

JJ, just read your whole thread. It's quite incredible. Firstly that the authorities wouldn't do anything, and secondly just how much you've managed to accomplish since your first post.

What a great example for your kids. I hope you're very proud

paye

JohnnyJet wrote: »

Hi, thanks for your support, I'm hoping to have most of it finished before the summer, just need one final push. I was on Cowboy Trap. Just got asked again if I was interested in doing a revisited programme, but think I will turn that down. I can't see a benefit.

when I read your post couldn't believe what I was reading, How can someone do this to another family is beyond me. But then i realized how long ago it was, I have to congratulate you Johnny for keeping it together especially for your family and finally getting your family home back in order i can imagine the stress you must of went through. By the looks of it your nearly there. Keep it up mate. :T

Here a bit of advice for anyone thinking about spending huge amount of money on building work. i'd say anything between £50k upwards.

Consider hiring a Quantity Surveyor he will price the whole work up for you by obtaining relevant prices from different trades, he will also draw up a contract with each of the suppliers (depending if you are happy to proceed with his cost estimates).

Once you are happy to proceed he/she will then carry out a back ground check on any new companies who quoted for the works which he doesn't know about , like validating their insurances, obtaining references, confirming the builders is legitimate and holds the necessary trade associations etc.

Once all the contractual documents are in place between you and the builder the work will then commence. Then every month depending on how the contract has been set up the builder will then submit a valuation for works completed to date, the QS will then interrogate the valuation on your behalf and he will then raise a payment certificate recommending how much the builder should get paid for works actually completed to date. The builder will then invoice you and you will then have to pay the builder in accordance with the QS payment recommendation normally within 30 days. This way the builders only point of call when it comes to money will be the QS. He will manage your money for you.

Obviously this may sound over the top but if your paying out huge sums of money on a project do it properly. The QS will normally charge a percentage of the total value of the project normally 8-10%. and remember the QS works for you and looks after your own interest and will save you money.

This way you can be sure you won;t get fleeced.

JohnnyJet

Thanks for all your kind remarks, I certainly know a lot more about dealing with builders than before, also have learnt so much about building work. I still get angry at times thinking about the builder, but when I do I just start another job on the house, have found this helps. Maybe in time i will seek professional help for my thoughts. I just want to forget it all.

Had a day off work today due to the snow so spent the day painting. Can tick off the bannister and window shelf now.

JohnnyJet

I agree with you Paye, 10% on top of the builder costs may sound a lot but it would definitely have helped me. Advice I will remember if I ever do this again.

JohnnyJet

Thought that I would update my progress so far seeing as it has been a while since I have last posted. Still have work to do and haven't made the progress that I have wanted to but have now finished all the items needed to get the house signed off, in fact we got the completion certificate yesterday in the post. :j. This means that if we had to we could now sell the house. As the list shows below, I still have some items to complete until I can truly say that the house is finished, but it is getting less as the weeks go by.

Unfinished work to do -

FirstFloor

Drylining and filling holes inc screw holes (2 days).
Painting walls (2 days).
Fit skirting board (3 days). Done
Painting skirting board (3 days).
Fit 8x door lining etc - 4 doors (3 days). Done
Paint door linings (1 day).
Make custom door for smaller size door (1 day). Done
Board eave storage (1 day).
Finish Cat6 cabling (1/2 day).
Tint / Oil Floor (now 2 days was 3).
Paint stair spindles (1 day).

Total (12 1/2 days).

Ground Floor

Cut wood for hole under stairs (1 hour)
Build cupboard to house consumer unit (1 day)
Fit carpets – 1 carpet left (1 day)
Finish sanding and painting bedroom skirting (1 day).
Caulk all windows and doors (was 1 day now ½ day). Done
Finish bathroom painting (1/2 day).
Fit kitchen blind and other small kitchen items (1/2 day).
Make door for non-custom frame (1 day).
Paint and add skirting in under stairs cupboard (was 1 day now ½ day).
Plaster and paint door seal (1 day).
Paint airing cupboard (1 day).
Paint staircase, walls and posts (was 2 days now 1 ½ days).
Fit understairs cabinet (1/2 day).
Finish network cabling (1/2 day).
Add bottom of staircase beading or sand and re-paint (1/2 day).

Total (10 1/2 days).
Total time reduced from 31 days to 23 days.