bodger the builder

[Slowly Learning]

Got a call last week from builder who subs bathroom fits from his uncles company " can you come friday and finish a job and grout the room " happens I was free so went along :yikes:. What a bodge, who ever he had ( stiil hasnt named em ) couldnt cut the porcelain floor tiles. Hed managed to do the walls but gaps between ceilling and in corners of varying size. But the bit that set me off was this is all on bonding! When I tried to explain builder just kept smiling like an idiot and making out Im to fussy. I finished the 5 floor tile cuts as at least they were on solid screwed down ply ( primed my bit ) and grouted the room. As hed caught me on the hop i had no silicone so firmly told him that anything not grouted requirs silicone as movement will occur. Get a phone call today with him moaning as i havent grouted the whole room. Reminded him about the conversation and he says " no you grout everything and then go over it with silicone can i do it this in future "

I can tell you now I cant see me and this lemon having much of a future! Then he begs me do 2 days in another bathroom tommorrow had a look, another bodge. Are they all like this or just the builders I get saddled with? I turned another down recently as the jobs were rushed bodges and I dont want to be associated with em. Works hard to come by but I can be doing with these sling em in merchants.:mad2:

 

[mikethetile]

problem is slowly if you get into bed with this lot work will be even slower to come in, if at all

it is hard mate but stick to your guns

and in answer to your question , not all builders are like that but the problem is too many are

 

[Slowly Learning]

I said to myself when I started out that I either do it right or not at all. Good to know that there are some reputable builders out there this lot will keep channel 5 in tv shows for years! Feel better now ive had a rant about em, just amazes me that they think they know it all and how long it takes!

 

[Dan]

The key here is if he knew how to do it, it would be done and he wouldn't need you, so point that out in future and say you'd rather do the whole job than tidy up messy unfinished work and suggest you price a job up for him fully and done correctly to compare with whoever the chancer is.

 

[david campbell]

just start over-pricing the work and get shot of him,if he ends up in hot water you will sink with him i don't think he'll take the blame himself

 

[Slowly Learning]

I make you all right lads! As far as he is concerned Im busy from now on. He rings up with 48 hours notice desperate for you to do a job that must be done in 2 days cos he cant organise a p up in a brewery and wants to pay as little as possible. Oh well spleen vented time to forget the clown and move on to pastures greener.

 

[Scott]

Any pics??

 

[redlee]

Sad to say most builders and some bathroom firms i come across are like this and if you try to explain that tiling onto bonding/chipboard/overweight tiles onto skimmed plasterboard/priming with pva/day old wet plaster aren't the done thing then you're a pedantic fussy know it all jobsworth and they'll phone the next guy on the list who'll be all to happy to have a bash at said cack job.

 

[Scott]

Happens all too often, all down to price and getting the job done

 

[lcjohno]

Its annoying mate, stick to your guns and you'll get the breaks with proper builders. These cowboys dont want to pay for anything then wonder why they get let down by tilers who cant cut porcelain. I think its a sign of the market, builders cutting corners to cut costs and get jobs. Its a shame.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

As above mate, we (good tilers) will be around years after these "cowboy" builders have folded. You are only as good as your last job, never let your standards slip. I have survived over 40yrs in this industry. with this philosophy. Works for me

 

[Slowly Learning]

Sorry no pics. Spoke to him this morning as it happens and put him straight on the correct way to do things, waste of time "were not at school now" was his reply. His customer is going into one as well apparantly (no suprises) as he is sick of all the different people in and out of his house. Needless to say I will be having no more to do with the muppet. A painter I know has seen him later in the day in the high street and hes running around asking if anyone knows someone who can tile :lol:. Some chancer will get him out of the hole but I cant help thinking with each job the hole is getting bigger! Thanks for your support lads its good to share after a bad day, beer o'clock now