AIBU to expect trades people (usually) men to...

My (new) next door neighbour is having some work done on his house and is paying to have a workman come from elsewhere in the country, that he’s used before and trusts! The builder will be staying in a local hotel and it will still be cheaper for my neighbour than employing an unknown local person.

We have recently had quite a bit of electrical and plumbing work done.

The tradesmen were reliable, did a fantastic job, tidied up after themselves and were great to have around. Whilst they were here I cooked them breakfast and lunch and we all sat around eating together. I loved every minute.

Interestingly they were all retired gents (one well into his 70s) who were working for 'a bit of pocket money'. They were worth their weight in gold.

Oldies are goldies!!

I am waiting to have new French doors fitted and I paid a deposit and he did tell me it would take about 12 weeks because even the manufacturers are running behind….

I’m afraid that builders and general handyman,most of the good ones,are very busy at the moment and I’m afraid they are calling the shots. It’s not good but it’s the same with the estate agents as well at the moment, my son has given up putting offers in on houses because the estate agents weren’t even bothering to get back to him… this won’t last forever and then we will remember the ones that treated us badly

He came highly recommended by both neighbours and local Facebook. During the initial consultation, weeks ago, the job was discussed in detail and he recommended that I change my original plans slightly to something that would be more robust and alleviate the winter flooding problem in that area. I agreed with him, accepted his price and agreed to wait for 10 weeks; because he was so busy.

But he bumped me twice due to other jobs over running. When he did turn up today with the materials to start the job, it was obvious that the "highly recommended" parts weren't there so he left to go and order them. But, due to national shortages, they cannot now be delivered until next week and, as he's "booked up until next month missus", I'm left with a building merchants yard in my garden for the next 3 weeks. And I'm wondering where I went wrong.

And, one daren't say anything in case they leave altogether. We've been lucky lately but I'm not counting my chickens for the future

Who were they? ....The O’ Riley men??

YANBU. You must live near me, nearly all the people we have hired to do jobs in the garden or the house seem to feel they can just do their own thing. These were in the main recommended locally by neighbours on Facebook - all I can say is they must do a better job for people who actually know them. We've got a huge fencing job that needs doing, and I have been putting it off because I don't want to have to deal with people. My sympathies.

Did you get recommendations for the company you are talking about? Assuming you are the one employing them. You aren’t being unreasonable if they are a reputable company they would do all the things you ask them to. Sounds like a nightmare I’m sorry you are dealing with this.

YANBU. Perhaps you can return the service when it comes time to pay.