Builder Problems

propercopper

I'm hoping for a bit of guidance on how to deal with a bad builder I have in at the minute...

Basically hired him to do some refurb and refresh work. His quote was not the cheapest by any means and he had good references.

Started off okay, but the problem came with bathroom installation. He quoted £1650 for fitting 2 new ensuites and a cloakroom (I bought the suites/showers), plus £1250 for tiling them - walls and ceiling.

He then said 'oh dear, the plasterboard walls are a disaster, and I've not quoted for it, so that'll be £2500 to redo the aquaboard etc in the 2 ensuites'! I hadn't budgeted for this, so told him to hold off and I'd get a few quotes from plasterers. He seemed fine with it.

The quotes came back from £1k to £1,800, and I went for a guy in the middle, again with good references who impressed the most.

When the plasterer started work, the original builder then said he wouldn't be able to guarantee the tiling if I used the plasterer as he wasn't doing a good job! The plasterers were none too pleased with the attitude problems either.

Stranger still, the builder stripped the tiles in another bathroom I had not asked him to touch, and I hadn't intended to do up and hadn't been in his quotes; quite the opposite he knew I was leaving it alone.

He then rang me to say he would have to charge extra for taking away any rubbish generated by the plasterers as he hadn't quoted for it. I said no, and it should just be chucked in the skip we already had, which he reluctantly agreed to.

I'm concerned about a few things - his slightly odd attitude, the finding of new unquoted for work, and the exceeding what I'd asked him to do.

Any views on how to handle it?? I've never experienced this before with builders.

Thanks

DaftyDuck

I think you have to ask him to sit down over a cup of coffee, and discuss it. Have a copy of his quote, and work through it , making a list of what you expect him to do, and what you expect him not to do. Be clear about what was discussed earlier as well; it doesn't have to be written down to be part of the work, although it helps if it is.

His stripping tiles in a bathroom he was not meant to touch sounds peculiar in the extreme... Personally, I believe he should have made at least some inspection of the walls before commencing... and his quote for the work was high (but then you say he wasn't the cheapest quote initially..)

If you can reach an amicable agreement as to how to progress then, as you say he's got good references (how did you check??), let him continue. Make sure you have a detailed worksheet.

However, if you cannot reach an agreement, I suspect things will deteriorate further. Sorting the problem now may be the best route, even if that means getting another builder in to finish the work.

jenmas

Hi propercopper,
I'm 99% sure the same guys are working on my house and after nearly 8 months I think I've just about had enough. I'd like to see if there are early signs of similar issues on your site or whether I'm overreacting. Have sent you a PM so please get in touch.
Thanks

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