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

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

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. 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.

Who were they? ....The O’ Riley men??

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

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.

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

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….

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!!

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.

Shinamae

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….

That is true. My next door neighbour has a window fitting company. His team have been working flat out for months and months.
People are spending the money they’ve saved through lockdown.

You are not alone no matter what the work is! I’ve almost been driven to a breakdown by trades who over promise, don’t turn up at all & then mess about due to “shortage of materials.” It’s been a total nightmare & a terrible waste of time. I was in despair so I feel your pain. I’m just coming out of the woods but it’s been a long & frustrating process. YARNBU!

No you are not being unreasonable you are spot on. I totally agree with you they are very irritating and annoying. I know materials can be difficult to get now. But they should be honest instead of giving dates for work to be done when it’s not realistic. We are waiting for a patio and sun house to be built it will probably be done in the winter?

It is very annoying, Chewbacca
The problem is, I think, that they don't just do one job and get on with it, because they are so much in demand they juggle jobs and say they are waiting for materials.
When the materials do arrive they had started two or three other jobs so don't come back to get on with yours.

It's very annoying indeed but it seems to be the modus operandi.

No chance!! They are always
waiting for materials
have an unexpected call to make
Someone is ill ..perhaps true atm
Something is out of stock
I need to do my garden which I was actually told once
and so on

Chewbacca

Turn up when they say they will. Have the materials to do the job that they measured up and quoted for. Actually do the job that you've asked for and been quoted for and that they don't suddenly change the spec without discussing it with you. Bugger off to get more materials, leaving your garden like a building site and say they'll be back next month.

Or am I being unreasonable?

So the trades people we were expecting today are held up at your place then Chewbacca.

I do feel your pain Chewbacca and you are certainly not being unreasonable.
There are material shortages of course but your builder knew in advance what was required and should have ensured your materials arrived in time to do your job on the dates given to you.
I believe that Callistemon is right and these builders say yes to every enquiry and then struggle with material and time management.
I hope you have somewhere nice to sit in your garden with your back to the materials, close your eyes and try to envisage how it will look when it’s finally done.
We have had horrendous problems with a contractor who came highly recommended, yet to be resolved but found a wonderful man who has put most of it right. It has taken time but worth the wait. So there are good and bad.
Good luck.

On an American family magazine that I buy there's been a discussion about this.
The main points were that, similar to here, due to to Covid many workers have become comfortable about not working, managing on govt. support etc. So don't want to make the effort.
Also there's a genuine problem of difficulty in obtaining parts/equipment as the companies that produce them have also been affected by Covid.
And the blockage of the Suez Canal by a container vessel, only recently cleared which were brings supplies from SE Asia.

When we had our fencing replaced we employed a company from Glasgow to do the work, we paid for them to stay in a hotel a few miles away. It was a brilliant job and was worth the extra to have the work done by experts in that field.

For repair and maintenance work there is much less chance of things going wrong if you use the services of your local Home Improvement Agency (HIA). This is a not for profit service, usually with a focus on older and/or disabled home owners where all aspects of the job are 'project managed' by the HIA. While some individual HIA's may charge a fee for this, many will not.
www.findmyhia.org.uk/

I have just waited in most of the morning for the designer of a small local bathroom company to arrive. When I phoned to check if he was still coming the guy himself answered the phone. His excuse was that a staff member was sick and that he was very busy. Too busy to pick up the phone and let me know he wasn’t coming? Apparently yes. He said he would ring me back later to book another appointment but I said that it wouldn’t be necessary as I had already experienced his lack of customer service. Now looking for another bathroom fitter/designer.

Never mind builders - on asking to see a specific go at our practice my DH was told he would have to see an alternative because Dr xxx was lambing ??‍♀️

It is, I think, a combination of shortage of trained tradesmen and a serious shortage of materials. It is exasperating beyond belief when people over promise and under perform, surely it is better to say that you just can't do the job until a certain date, rather than let people down. Add into this mix people having to go into quarantine because someone in the household has been pinged and you have a real problem.

Have just had a call this morning about my French windows and he apologised for it being short notice but he’s going to come and fit them tomorrow which is shorter time than that I anticipated …????