Tradesman hasn't turned up

cha1n

I'm meant to have a plasterer starting on a long, 6 week job today at my house and he's just text to say he won't be starting until tomorrow.

One day is nothing in the grand scheme of things but it's just not the right first impression for me. I had a plasterer (recommended by a friend) work for a week on my house and do perhaps 3 days worth of work in 5 (confirmed by a friend in the trade) and he was on a day rate, so I had to get rid of him before it spiralled out of control - very awkward conversation.

Now this new guy was also recommended by a friend, but gave a fixed quote and I stipulated a completion date, which he's agreed to. Now, day one and he said he can't start until tomorrow. I've been so unlucky a selecting tradesmen, each and every one has taken advantage one way or another.

I'm tempted to say "don't bother, just post the key back through my door" but I guess that's a bit extreme? Is it worth at least mentioning that I hope there's no delays to the completion date or similar? I'm not really a confrontational person but I'm losing my patience with it. Sorry for the rant.

MX5huggy

Relax, in 6 weeks time do you want him to leave your job with 1 days work to do because he “must” start the next job on time?

6 weeks is a lot of plastering!

stator

I think you are overreacting over a single day.
His previous job may have just over run by one day. If something came up on one of your jobs that needed an extra day's work, would you like the tradesman to disappear because he has another job on? Or would you like him to finish the job and then go to his next job?


I can sympathise with them, you have to schedule enough jobs to keep you in work without causing clashes, but sometimes it's bound to happen.


If it's a repeating pattern, then dump him. Some people are unreliable and will keep coming up with excuses.

cha1n

Thanks for the replies.

I'm probably overreacting but this is a full house refurbishment and thus far, every tradesman has let me down. You start to notice patterns. This guy had very good communication before I accepted the quote and now suddenly he doesn't reply to enquiries for days or at all.

He didn't even apologise, just casually added it onto the end of a reply to another question. Presumably he's known for a few days he wasn't going to be able to start today...

naf123

6 weeks for plastering ? How many rooms are to be plastered . He might have given you a 6 week timeframe to allow for delays .

dunroving

You are overreacting - he may need an additional day to finish up a current big job that hit unexpected issues (imagine if the shoe was on the other foot). I'd take a chill pill and see how it goes from tomorrow.

Risteard

cha1n wrote: »

Is it worth at least mentioning that I hope there's no delays to the completion date or similar?

No. That would be very rude and you are being completely and utterly unreasonable.

ceredigion

cha1n wrote: »

each and every one has taken advantage one way or another.

That sentence combined with the general sentiment of the post makes me wonder.

cha1n

So casually dropping that he's not going attend on his first day isn't rude? No apology?

cha1n

ceredigion wrote: »

That sentence combined with the general sentiment of the post makes me wonder.

You have no idea the crap I've been through with it so far.

Pennywise

OP, you're not wrong to worry. IF he'd been running late on another job, he'd have known a few days ago and should have told you earlier. Telling you on the day he was supposed to start, on the day you were expecting him, is very poor.