Builders - don't you just love them!

[veggiechicken]

I need a fag! Don't know why but it might calm me down.
Just had an email telling me there's lots of work going on at your (other) house - big bonfire
Ring neighbour who says - your timber extension (think big shed/now utility room - was the kitchen) has been demolished - and Jacko the scrappie's lorry is parked outside
She offers to go up to the house and find out.
Ten minutes later "Its all gone, just the base left. Huge bonfire, couldn't see much with all the smoke. Just a bald headed man who said Mike had told him to do it"
So what has happened to the central heating boiler, washing machine, fridge, tumble drier etc etc......??
Mike is a local builder and I had asked him for a quote and some ideas for rebuilding this "shed" in block and adding a porch - but this was months ago. He said he'd give me a written quote with sketches and gave me a rough estimate that I said that OK.
Well it seems he's started work without giving me a quote etc.
So I ring him, and in his laidback West Walian way says, Don't worry, its all under control, boiler disconnected, all the contents stored in your summer house or in the hallway, I've saved all the good wood for your fire, and I tried to ring you but I didn't have your Cardiff number!
Well that's alright then!! Its a good job I trust him
I'm still shaking

[Mikey]

It wasn't me.....

[veggiechicken]

No, Mikey, Its another Mikey

[Mikey]

Phew, just checking...

[veggiechicken]

Mikey Wills is innocent ..........

[Mikey]

Don't protest too much, they'll lynch me.

Builders are a law unto themselves, I don't believe he phoned you have you ever tried getting a builder to answer the phone.

[bearded bloke]

So was Bill Stickers

[veggiechicken]

He answered his mobile immediately! Said he had rung me and could hear the phone ringing in the house - then he realised I wasn't at home!! Never mind aye - I didn't have to worry about emptying the cupboards before they started

[Mikey]

Most builders are good at emptying the cupboard, especially if there's biscuits in them.

Where did I leave the Kettle.

[chris]

What the heck?! The shed part?

As in the summer house,or like that downstairs part of your house?!?

If I were you, I'd have popped it due to a heart attack from stress by now! I'm having plastering done now, and it's doing my nut in that I'm not home to inspect his every inch of work

[Mikey]

Dude, chill, plastering is an art, and you shouldn't watch an artist at work, just marvel in the glory of their masterpiece.

Haven't you finished that kitchen yet?

[veggiechicken]

Like the downstairs part of the house Chris - where you go in! The bit I call the dog's room.
I was all of a doodah when I heard about the fire!
No problem, says Mike the builder, we got a big oil drum and we're burning off all the rubbish. Its all under control..........
He's worked on the house before and he's a good bloke - but he needs to learn a little about communication

[chris]

Mikey,

It's taken me this long to do the plumbing, change the c/h setup, leccy and what not myself (with my fathers help!)

I can only really get stuck in and work weekends, which is one reason why it's taking me so long (evenings are a no no as kids in bed, plus big deadlines in work). I'm running out of steam to be honest.

I fully respect plasterers (I'd love to be able to do it - I've been thinking about doing a course actually!), but I've been through 3 plasterers now - all of whicih would have had my whole house to re-plaster if only they'd done a decent job....

This chap works alone, takes his time etc - so, currently he's fitting the bill. I've explained that if his work is rubbish, he will be taking it down and re-doing it or won't be paid - which he laughed at (until I said I'm serious - as I'm sick of dealing with rubbish tradesmen)

I've literally had it up to here (*points to above his head) with rubbish workers/tradesmen - which is one of the reasons why I do everything myself now. Well, everything that I can. You would have hated to have me as a customer, I can assure you

[chris]

Like the downstairs part of the house Chris - where you go in! The bit I call the dog's room.
I was all of a doodah when I heard about the fire!
No problem, says Mike the builder, we got a big oil drum and we're burning off all the rubbish. Its all under control..........
He's worked on the house before and he's a good bloke - but he needs to learn a little about communication

In West Wales or Cardiff? *confused*

edit: ignore that - just re-read above heh. I see now. Are you extending it at all?

[veggiechicken]

West Wales, Chris. I'll find a photo!