The Best Is Yet To Come

joedenise

If he quoted for a pocket door then that's what you should get.  The price should be cheaper if he's just putting a normal door in as that is a much cheaper option and far less work involved.

slm6002

I know he didn't quote for the extra smoke alarms that need to be fitted (according to building regs man), so will haggle that cost over the change of door.  It was as if we never had a conversation, and he hadn't seen the plan that I had drawn, even though it's the exact same piece of paper we have been working with all these months.  The room also looked smaller then as the wardrobes were still in there.  I think he thought it would make the room even smaller, but we know it will be small and I know we will need to be clever with storage and space saving furniture.   I think we will end up making DD2 a wardrobe rather than going to !kea as the wall is wider at one point than the rest as it is where the chimney would run.

slm6002

So no sign of builder since Monday.  I emailed his partner and asked for a schedule and end date, plus stated that when he started I got the impression that he would have finished in a week or so as not a huge job.  I got a reply saying that the electrician cant come until Thursday next week, so 10 days since the beginning.  Nothing else will be done until this point.  Once the electrician has been he will do everything else.  He is going to call tomorrow to discuss things.  I do not understand why we need electrics in before the window is installed as there are no electrics involved in this.  Why start a job if you know you wont be back for 10 days.  It makes no sense.  I made it clear that me and the girls were having to camp out in one room until it was done.  I will see what he says tomorrow but he will not be getting a glowing review from me.  The carpet man hasn't turned up as yet so guessing as he said by the end of the week it might be tomorrow.  
I did buy myself a doorbell though.  So for the first time in 17 years or so of living here, I will be able to hear if someone is at my door and I am at the back of the house with the washing machine going.  I also rang the fence man to ask if he can pop round at some point to give me a quote for the fence and gates, to make our garden secure.  They are currently still putting up fences that had blown down in the recent gales so I am not a priority, but I said I can wait.  They made a great job of neighbours fence so happy with their work ethics and quality.

Kitten868

How frustrating for you! I am so sorry he is acting like you've never met. It's not like its a massive job and hes got the handles wrong. It's pretty fundamental. Are you going to challenge him on it?

Hope work is going alright. Everwhere seems to be taken over with the plague right now so I am hoping you're all alright.

Your girls will have perfect bedrooms. I know you've got it in you to pull it off. xxx

slm6002

Thank you - yes I will be asking him why it wasn't all booked ready for the same week and why window cant go in now while we wait.  It is frustrating and sure I could source my own electrician a lot quicker.  I think if he is definitely not going to return until Thursday I will cover the window with a blanket and put DD1 back in there, just so I don't need to stand on her every time I get in and out of bed

FtbDreaming

Ooh god he sounds like a nightmare to deal with. And as if your jobs being treated as a little bit on the side that he’ll do as and when rather than a proper job that you’re paying proper price for. There’s just no need but I did find when we were doing the bathroom and kitchen that trades are so in demand that the ball is in their court and you tend to have to put up and shut up. It will be finished eventually though and you’ll soon forget all this stress whilst getting it done x

slm6002

I feel like that too.  What can I actually do that will get it done quicker - not a lot

slm6002

Just managed to find on my energy website which fuel tariff I am on and I am happy that I am on a fixed rate until Nov 2023.  Hopefully that will keep the costs stable until then.  I did manage to get the towels washed and out on the line this morning before work and they were dry when I returned home.  I love using my washing line.  I have had confirmation of a small increase in council tax come through the post this week.

slm6002

Well the builders have managed 2 morning sessions so far this week and we have first fit electrics and plaster-boarded walls so the rooms are starting to take shape.  No plaster on the walls as yet but we are getting there.  Door frames have been started, but still no news on if he has ordered the window as yet.  Next job is radiators and plastering, but wondering if they are waiting for the window so they don't need to do plastering twice.
I have been ordering bits and bobs for the rooms, and tomorrow I will order the big ikea order.  No sign of the carpet man as yet but hopefully he will arrive soon.  

slm6002

No builder or carpet man today and I still need to place my ikea order.  Slightly worried it will arrive too soon as we are still living our lives with mattresses in the kitchen and DD's belongings in the living room.  I also want it in time once rooms are sorted lol.

I have purchased a few new pots for the garden today - ones that hang over the metal bars of patio fence.  I am hoping to give my dad the roses that XH always wanted.  I will be planting veg and a few flowers this year.

Next door has started cutting the grass but hasn't touched mine as yet.  For the past few years since XH left and to be honest before he left he has been doing our gardening as he was used to a bigger garden and enjoys it.  When we put the plans in for our extension he stopped as they were not keen on it and got in a mood. I may need to learn how to use a lawn mower lol