I've quit everything. Now what ?

another_casualty

Thanks copperjar !:)
Very wise words . That's the unfortunate thing in my situation .
Knowing nobody sucks at times like this .

The guy I saw yesterday was from a shop. He left me a brochure .
The guy today is from rated people , which is a mixed bag in terms of reviews.
I think the guy today is sprinting like a racehorse .
I have to be careful of all the spiel, and get more of a feel of someone. My thinking was to do the painting in the rest of the flat myselfv, and get the work on the bathroom started when I'm ready say ,1st may . I don't have to be in it till 31 may anyway .

It's good to have people on here that can look out for me and stop me from doing something I might regret .
I am heeding advice here and am listening .

It looks like I'm running for the second guys schedule , when in essence it is me the customer who should be dictating when to start.

Tomorrow will be interesting

another_casualty

Thanks copperjar !:)
Very wise words . That's the unfortunate thing in my situation .
Knowing nobody sucks at times like this .

The guy I saw yesterday was from a shop. He left me a brochure .
The guy today is from rated people , which is a mixed bag in terms of reviews.
I think the guy today is sprinting like a racehorse .
I have to be careful of all the spiel, and get more of a feel of someone. My thinking was to do the painting in the rest of the flat myselfv, and get the work on the bathroom started when I'm ready say ,1st may . I don't have to be in it till 31 may anyway .

It's good to have people on here that can look out for me and stop me from doing something I might regret .
I am heeding advice here and am listening .

It looks like I'm running for the second guys schedule , when in essence it is me the customer who should be dictating when to start.

Tomorrow will be interesting

another_casualty

While waiting for the guy I'm expected to see at 2 pm , I decided to get my self together and get some more quotes for the bathroom sorted: I phoned the bath store , as tbh I don't fancy going all the way to castlepoint . I left a message, and someone will be return my call in the next 2 working days .

I then phoned someone local, left a message . Immediate callback !
He was a really nice bloke . Unfortunately , he is busy till august !
I told him my experiences with the other 2 guys . In the politest of ways , he was telling me steer clear. He offered to give me a quote even knowing my situation . He also prefers being on check a trade rather than rated people. I think I'll scrub rated people and go check a trade.

Phoned another guy I found on check a trade . He sounded a bit surly , but he's coming around on Tuesday morning .
I haven't got much time , as the guy above was saying that most will be booked for long periods , but I may have to rely on cancellations.

What the other guy did say, was he normally charges in thirds rather than 50% in one go .
We'll see

another_casualty

So , saw a guy today at 2 pm . It would be him doing the job .
Seems a nice guy . He didn't quote me on the spot , but will email me the details over the Easter . Seems very realistic .

Now have 3 people to see on Tuesday . One of those is from the Bathstore . One just called me , and I agreed for him to visit me weds morning for a quote . That should do it .
I won't be opting for the first couple that I saw .
Fingers crossed .

copperjar

I think you've made a sensible decision there AC. Like people have said, a tradesman who is booked up is usually a good one - much better than someone who can start next week! Maybe weigh up price and your gut feeling on the person against the timescales. Would it really be that bad having it done once you've moved in if the person has good reviews and you can chose exactly what you want? Good luck - I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you

another_casualty

Thanks copperjar
The guy I saw today is favourite . All of a sudden I've now got 3 more to see. It'll,be interesting to see how much he charges .
I think it's best to have it done before I move in , as I don't want to be caught short looking for a toilet etc

Other stuff: landlady sent me text . She will be in Christchurch for a couple of days ( congratulations ) . She will,be popping over on Monday . She wants to offload some cushions (?) . She's not too concerned if she misses me.

She asked if we could sort out next months rent.
I'm contracted till 30 may, but looking at the paraphernalia ,
I'm paid up,till April . ( why do these Lettings people make things complicated ?)
I asked if it was logical to give next payment on 30 April and cease tenancy on 30 may. ..I suppose I may have to be careful, as i paid a deposit and of course want that back . I assume I pay the letting agent , and not her direct? Advice is much appreciated

Thanks

another_casualty

Hallway and gas room completed .
Will do the preparation for the bedroom and living room probably tomorrow . May even start painting altogether on one of them .

Last night, I received a very polite and professional email from the guy I saw yesterday . It contained pictures and links to the designs that may suit me . Very professional . He's not from rated people either . I think I'll go with him . The others talked , but he actually has a plan . I know it's Easter etc .
I don't know whether I should cancel the other appointments.
Seems sensible if I do go with him . I'll phone the guy I want to use and get his opinion .

another_casualty

another_casualty wrote: »

Hallway and gas room completed .
Will do the preparation for the bedroom and living room probably tomorrow . May even start painting altogether on one of them .

Last night, I received a very polite and professional email from the guy I saw yesterday . It contained pictures and links to the designs that may suit me . Very professional . He's not from rated people either . I think I'll go with him . The others talked , but he actually has a plan . I know it's Easter etc .
I don't know whether I should cancel the other appointments.
Seems sensible if I do go with him . I'll phone the guy I want to use and get his opinion .

Oops tell a lie . This man is from rated people .

dreaming

Hi AC - you seem well on track with things now. Are you just painting everything white for now. I bet it will be lovely when you are in and have your own things around you.
Personally I would still let the other guys quote for the bathroom. You may find someone you prefer, or they may give a slightly different perspective on the design. Did you decide whether to keep the bath or not?
I'm having a bit of a clear out. "Stuff" that had ended up in my bedroom for no particular reason has been put away properly (some just chucked into shed admittedly), and have listed a couple of bits on e-bay. I can now get to the sockets in my room without having to move things out first. I seem to have bought a few bits and pieces lately that all came in large boxes. Yesterday's delivery was a box within a box within a box and then I finally got to the item which was a sort of box (actually a paper shredder). So have to break down the boxes to put out for recycling. They are meant to be no bigger than a cereal packet but it usually gets taken as long as it is flattened.

another_casualty

dreaming wrote: »

Hi AC - you seem well on track with things now. Are you just painting everything white for now. I bet it will be lovely when you are in and have your own things around you.
Personally I would still let the other guys quote for the bathroom. You may find someone you prefer, or they may give a slightly different perspective on the design. Did you decide whether to keep the bath or not?
I'm having a bit of a clear out. "Stuff" that had ended up in my bedroom for no particular reason has been put away properly (some just chucked into shed admittedly), and have listed a couple of bits on e-bay. I can now get to the sockets in my room without having to move things out first. I seem to have bought a few bits and pieces lately that all came in large boxes. Yesterday's delivery was a box within a box within a box and then I finally got to the item which was a sort of box (actually a paper shredder). So have to break down the boxes to put out for recycling. They are meant to be no bigger than a cereal packet but it usually gets taken as long as it is flattened.

Hi dreaming . Good luck with the Russian doll delivery .
Always best to make sure you have space with electricity .
Yes , everything white although i may do 2 feature walls lemon and light green
I've cancelled all appointments with the others , and said 'no thanks' to the first 2people I saw . All done via txt ,except Bathstore whom I left a phone message , but will phone Tuesday or tomorrow .

James the chap I saw yesterday , starts on Tuesday . I made the decision on a few things :
1) nice guy, and the most normal out of the 3 so far
2) Not all talk, but email was there with ideas that suit .
3)If I keep running to all and sundry , I could've missed James and
could possibly be none the wiser risking not having a bathroom when I eventually move in .

So , there you go .
Potentially , I could move out of the flat here sooner, but I would rafter spend time getting everything right as I can ( new wardrobes/ desks / cupboards/ furniture etc. Plus big yellow storage and removal company ).
It'll be interesting to see what the landlady says regarding my final month, which I have to pay for . Any advice there would be handy .

Thanks