DJ. wrote:Sorry to hear that, there are some absolute bastards masquerading as builders. At least screed won't be visible when you've finished
Yeh, expected to come across a few, luckily we’ve kept it to a minimum with a 66% “success rate”
We’re doing as much as we can ourselves, albeit some things slowly like the block and stone work, to avoid getting the self appointed professionals in.
Unfortunately I’ve a prick of a brother in the trade who thinks he has great customer relations but can’t see that customers just about tolerate him to get the job done. Having that insight helps but it’s still difficult to avoid the scum.
So far we’ve had the following done
Dropped kerb. Overall good, though communication and timescale was sketchy.
Concrete slab. Spot on, a great couple of guys levelling etc with us barrowing the readymix.
Raising the trusses. Had some assistance with this on a day rate, which started well then went pear shaped and thankfully parted ways in the end.
Zinc roofing. Expensive but guys grafted and got it done.
Slater. Ongoing, with James and I cutting and sorting slate for him. Off on another long-standing delayed job at present. Lovely guy, great job so far.
Screeding. Expensive and unprofessional at best.
We’ve got a plasterer lined up for the inside and rendering outside. Recommended by the slater and he’s done work for the architect so sounds promising. Hopefully the rest we can do ourselves bar some electrics and gas fitting.
Learning.. Do not put up with substandard work and unprofessional behaviour, act sooner rather than later.
Use the networks around you as much as possible to get recommendations including asking at local builders merchants, plumbing shops etc.
We’ve all got our own resources but sometimes don’t realise it at the time. The guy helping us with the trusses up blew us out with a text message when I was on my way back from Kent, after my other half wasn’t so well. I was on the last 60 miles or so on a slow “A”road, which after the initial annoyance, gave me chance to ponder, regroup and call James who had stayed in Kelso. It wasn’t a surprise, with his chaos, deluded self worth and poor skills set. Also a reluctance to get up on the roof and do the sarking. It saved me a job sending him down the road. James and I dug deep and got it done ourselves without the grief of others adding to the stress.
Thankfully the screed has dried ok and whilst the finish could be better, it is level and we can crack on now.
