Dealing with dodgy tradesmen

tails_naf

Has anyone had to deal with a awkward / unreliable trademan during the course of their build - and what did they do?

Over the course of the build, I have to say I have had quite a good experience when it comes to the trademen - most were recommended, etc.

However, the plumber is really getting on my nerves. He seems to have a million jobs on, and spends more time in his van going from one job to the next than at any one place.

I'm trying to get some second fixing done and he spent an hour at my place then left. He told me one of the bath supports was missing, and he could do no more without it. I half think he put the 'missing support' in his pocket as an excuse to move on for the day - all the bath components were in a kit...

He has consistently been a pain to get to come do a job, and while he seems to know his stuff, he often only half tightens things - the connections to the boiler leaked slightly and had to be tightened / use more tape.

This kind of shoddy workmanship shouldn't be tolerated, but I'm not sure how to proceed - there is no contract, but will another plumber be willing to come in at this stage (might not want to step on eachothers toes, etc), can I just tell this guy I don't want his services anymore?

Advice would be appreciated!

Mike2006

There are some dodgy trades to mix...

The plumber and the electrician you probably do not want to be changing because you will probably have difficulty getting a replacement. And even if you do, it will be costly.

Does he know that you have these issues or is he under the impression that you don't mind if he comes and goes?? Have you had a chat?

I have had a problem with the painter on my job. I explained the issues I had to him after the first event (not filling/sanding etc..), general lack of attention to detail and explained that I expected a certain level of quality and that it had to be better. The next day same issues arose so I paid him for the percentage of work he had done at the percentage of the agreed price and told him that his services were no longer required. I was very straight and business like about it. No shouting/arguing or anything like that. I am the boss on my site and either follow my rules or I will get someone who will.

If it was my plumber I would explain the issues, and say that I was getting another plumber to come and have a look and price for finishing. If the service does not improve, I will terminate your services and get the replacement to finish. Make it clear and be calm and business like. It does not suit either party for this to happen so hopefully a chat will sort it out.
If the situation does not change, then you have a decision to make.

Mike.

AckwelFoley

Tell him hes holdinh you up. Lose the head if you need to, but that he has a deadline to be done by.

If this doesnt suit him, let him fcuk off - there are a 1000 fine plumbers out there gagging for work

dan_d

If you haven't already, don't pay him. Tell him you're holding back money until the job is complete to your satisfaction. Or that you'll pay him a set amount each week, having walked his work with him every Friday, ensuring you are satisfied. Make it very clear what your satisfaction is. Even better, tell him on Monday what you want/need done by that Friday, and if it's not completed (and there are no problems that would affect him with other trades), he won't get the amount due that week until it is complete. It's a form of retention.

Hit him where it hurts, his pocket.

Penrose

If you are ever doing any building work and you know at least 1 reliable tradesman ask him does he know a good plumber, carpenter etc. In a lot of the large jobs these guys team up with others they know are good workers as it gets them both more jobs.

tails_naf

All sound advice lads, thanks a lot.

I did get recommendations for most trades, and have been very fortunate (some have been excellent - going above and beyond - I actually was thinking of starting a thread to give recommendations - i.e. I know a good tiler in cork/tipp area, pm me for details, etc).

Back to the issue - I will be certainly holding money back. I had paid him for work done - but I think I'll hold the rest till we're in and satisfied all is well.

I'll be keeping an eye on the plumbing snag list thread like a hawk!

Penrose

Most of my family are in the manual labour business - I have two uncles who are tilers, my dad is a carpenter/scaffolder, another uncle and cousin who are electricians. All of them are very good as we get them to do up our house every so often. Had an excellent plumber who was friend of the family but he died last year, nice man.

If you need any recommendations for trades people I am sure my dad can refer someone who is reliable.

dan_d

tails_naf wrote: »

All sound advice lads, thanks a lot.

I did get recommendations for most trades, and have been very fortunate (some have been excellent - going above and beyond - I actually was thinking of starting a thread to give recommendations - i.e. I know a good tiler in cork/tipp area, pm me for details, etc).

Back to the issue - I will be certainly holding money back. I had paid him for work done - but I think I'll hold the rest till we're in and satisfied all is well.

I'll be keeping an eye on the plumbing snag list thread like a hawk!

Yeah, drip feed the money. Dangle the carrot, as the guys I worked with used to say! A bit of quid pro quo.