Plaster drying times

[macten]

Getting ear ache from a customer who is anxious for me to start tiling her bathroom. First fix has been done now but during the rip out my plumber mate came across a problem. The original bathroom had no tiles but that wood paneling running 1/2 way up every wall, painted plaster above. When I measured up I asked the owner if she knew what was behind there and she confirmed it was unpainted plaster. Well upon removing it there was nothing - just blockwork.

My plumber mate rang me to ask what the best way forward was.
Best solution would be to remove remaining plaster back to block and board out. My plumber's spreader advised bond and skim of blockwork to which I informed them it would mean 4 weeks drying time before tiling. He said he'd let the customer know the options.

Get an email from customer telling me everything is ready, when can I start and how long will it take as she is going away on 22nd and would love it to be done by then. Said I could start Monday but realistically I won't be done for then - large bathroom and have UFH to do. Then I find out it was bonded and skimmed last Friday so 10 days on Monday. I said no way too early and she is saying I wish I had known before the plasterer started (can only blame plumber for that as he said he would make her aware re drying times)
she's now ranting at me 'so you can't start till 4th Jan?!, she's been without a bathroom since 26th Nov and that the room and house is warm...

I feel bad if indeed she wasn't made aware about drying times but it also annoys me as I had this job booked in 2 months ago but it keeps getting moved about for one reason or another and it has always been up to me to find out when I'm going to be needed. Luckily I've been able to get loads of work in the interim but I love how I hear nothing and then it is just expected of me to be instantly available when they think they are ready.

So apart from the rant I would like arms members opinions on replying to this email -

'Hi Nick

Walls were skimmed last Friday so nearly a week. The room is warm and the house is warm.

Let me know what you think.

Vicky'

 

[Bubblecraft]

Hi Macten. There's nothing worse than getting put back due to other tradesmen. That's why I do everything myself. If it were me, I would have dot & dabbed new board on the block. Would have saved all this time waiting. You are quite right though, got to allow for the bonding to fully dry before even thinking of tiling. I take it that the tiles she has picked doesn't exceed 20kg pm2?

It's a bad situation to be in but needs to be done right. The finish may look dry due to temperatures in the house but the bonding will not be.

Looks like it'll have to be a new year job.

Who's in charge of this job? You, your leaky or your spreader?

 

[macten]

Just doing the tiling for a plumber mate of mine. He's a decent plumber but still likes to cut corners to speed things up where he can, and I suspect took the easiest route for him to be in and out and onto something else leaving me to deal with it even though I gave him the correct advice after he sought it.

 

[Bubblecraft]

Is the customer paying separately for the tiling or is your mate sorting it?

It looks as if the only reply you can give her is to wait until the new year to have it tiled & that you understand the inconvenience of the job going on longer than expected but the she was wrongly advised on the drying times by the plumber. Put it down to Chinease whispers if you like.

 

[macten]

Customer is paying me seperately - I'm merely the tiler on this one.
Booked in for 4th Jan now. Walls and floor tiles need to be matching grout joints so may go in and sort the floor out for her next week as a sweetener (at least she wouldn't have to wait an extra 14 days before commissioning the UFH when I get the walls done) but I had my heart set on no more work till after the silly season.