Builders drama... Please Help!

neonpoppy

Hi again!

We have a situation with our builders and I hope some of you can advise us in regards to the norms and "etiquette" of what we should do.

A little long maybe but I'll try and keep it short. Please ask any questions you may need to.

We are moving into our new home soon but currently there is building work being done on it.

The building work is various things and some new stuff that showed up that wasn't on the survey (including new bathroom, new kitchen, a wall being knocked down, rewiring, artex being removed and some plastering, a door being walled up, other things too)

When we got the quotes in originally the guy we finally went with (lets call him "Bob") was happy with us choosing other builders for him to work alongside. But we decided it best to go with him on everything as although he was a little more expensive we'd heard good things about the quality of his work and getting everything done through one company meant they could co-ordinate.

We recently stripped some wallpaper (ourselves) and found we needed more plastering than expected.

We got a quote from "Bob" and he said it was the lowest possible he could do. It was reasonable. It was his best price.

We got another quote in. "Bob" was there at the house working when I took builder 2 in to get the second quote.

Builder 2's quote was much better.

24 hours passed. I saw "Bob" today and he asked me how much Builder 2 charged. I told him and he said "you'd better get him to do it then" and we said we would.

Bob said to call builder 2 in next week to start the plastering work as he'll get in the way etc. of the work they are doing.

After much debating and me insisting builder 2 wouldn't be in the way because there was no work "Bob" had to do in the bedrooms he kept insisting it wouldn't work.

Now my husband gets home and says, there's no way we're waiting a week for the plastering work to start as builder 2 has said it will take up to 8 days.

They've just had a very heated discussion and "bob" is refusing to work in the house when Builder 2 is there. He's also admitted to being upset that we apparently didn't give him an opportunity to match the quote. He's also threatened to walk out if we allow Builder 2 in while he's working. (I don't know if he means until Builder 2 is finished or forever which seems very unlikely as he's built a good reputation for himself and seems to take pride in his work)

So questions:

1. Is it normal for builders to not work when other builders are around?
2. What would you do?
3. What on earth is going on?

Having now told Builder 2 he can start tomorrow, we've delayed him and said we'll call him tomorrow with a day to start. Although "Bob" has said he'll match the quote now, I won't turn around to Builder 2 and deny him work because I personally just don't feel right doing it after I've said he has the job. I feel "Bob" had opportunity to tell us he'd match the quote at least twice. (First when I had left the house with Builder 2, he could have called at any point and second when he asked the quote and I told him).

anotherbaldrick

What a fine old mess you've gotten yourself into. Should give you an interesting interlude.

KateLiana27

I would ask Bob exactly what the problem will be with Builder 2 being in the house - WHY will it not work. It may be that there is a reasonable explanation - for example, plastering is messy and requires large buckets of water being hauled through the house. It may be that he has had a bad experience with damage being caused by another tradesman and being held liable for it because he was in the house, so is overly cautious about working alongside others. It may be that there is a personal "history" between the two of them. It may be that he's a petulant child who hasn't learned to share. It could be any of the above but he does owe you an explanation, not just an ongoing insistence that it "won't work".

I wouldn't mess Builder 2 around unless Bob gives you a good solid reason.

For what it's worth, we're renovating our new house and none of our tradespeople have had a problem with others being in the house. They do ask what the other guy will be doing so they can plan their work accordingly, but that's it.

vax2002

up to 20 separate tradesmen often work together on sites including housing projects, if bob can not work alongside other tradesmen then he is not a very experienced builder.
Tell him tough, get his finger out, the plasterer is coming and thats that, any delays will cost.

capeverde

firstly, you are paying the bills and its your choice who you hire. It can be difficult with lots of trades working in the same property, but if, as you say they are in seperate rooms, it shouldnt be a problem. Regardless of the he said we said stuff, the first builder comes across as though he's been paid more than the actual work he's done, otherwise Im sure he wouldnt be calling your bluff. If he has, then you need to make a decision. If he's not, simply explain calmly but firmly that it is you managing the project and you have time constraints. Be reasonale, but dont be pushed around. If he wont play ball, you may have to get someone else in. He isnt being reasonable, but try not to get emotional, just keep it on a business footing and deal with facts.

vax2002

Builders are not in a position to lay the law down, many are signing on the dole.

katiecoodle

If it was me, i'd try my hardest to honour bob 2 with the work but I wonder if you've seen either of their work? A builder isn't the same as a plasterer. My husband is a plasterer and he often gets called on to reskim work that all-round builders have done, that hasn't necessarily been finished to the standards of a plasterer.
Also - someone else already said, but its dead important - plastering does involve more than one room. They will need space to mix up, cut boards maybe, and it is incredibly messy. They may both be needing access to the electricity in the same place, for example - so it is possible that they don't want to work alongside each other. I think that you'd better explain to Bob 1 that you'd already agreed with bob 2 that he could do the job, that you don't want to take the work off him but you will be monitoring it & if its not to your satisfaction, then you know where to come - that you didn't realise his price was negotiable & it was a misunderstanding. Then tell him that your deadlines for his work still stand, as agreed in the first place & is there a specific reason why he can't work alongside the plasterer becuase you might be able to help him? I suggest he is just being petulant, but you may uncover something practical that you can help with.
HTH.

myway_2

I'd say bye bye bob;). Oh is a builder as has been said he most of the time is working along side other tradesmen, Sound's almost like bob has something to hide. Most good tradesmen work round each other.

Leif

If you have effectively promised work to builder 2, let's call him Tarquin, then you will have to explain to Bob that he told you to give the work to Tarquin, and you have now engaged his services, and cannot break the contract. Flatter Bob, tell him he has a wonderful reputation and you would have used him to plaster had he offered at the time to match Tarquin's quote. As for working together, get him to explain why Tarquin cannot plaster the rooms/walls in question. He MIGHT have a point.

I don't know, these emotional creative types such as ballerinas, opera singers and builders can be so difficult to deal with.

neonpoppy

Leif wrote: »

I don't know, these emotional creative types such as ballerinas, opera singers and builders can be so difficult to deal with.

LMAO. The thing is he is a really nice guy but just does seem a bit emotional. I'll ask him the practicalities and try and get across to him that I expect him to be professional and not accept anything other than a valid reason.

Can someone please explain what the valid reasons might be since the rewiring is done and we have free flowing electricity and water around the house and Builder 2 is just one guy?

I understand he can't do the hallway whilst they're finishing off the kitchen and bathroom as he'll be in the way.

But I suppose he needs to mix the stuff he's going to put on the walls and I assume he might need a large perhaps outdoors area for that? I have no clue. then carry it through the house? Hmmmm.... Any ideas? :think:

capeverde

its just really about getting in each others way and holding up part of the job. doesnt need much room to mix up, will usually be done outside anyway and bought in by the plasterers labourer. builder 1 is just being a nark. give him a cuppa and a bacon sarnie and tell him to stop being so precious,