Anyone walked off a job before or fallen out with a builder?

[7029 dave]

Not only started, but accepted 50% payment. I'm fairly certain that the builder will have a very different view about what works that part payment covers. Walking away could result in all sorts of hassle that far outweigh biting one's lip for a couple of weeks.

I didnt see that , I would give the client back the money or put up and shut up.
Could he not speak to the client and work directly with them.

 

[DefyG]

Anyone ever had something similar and walked off a job before?

Probably nearly all of us who work or have worked for builders!

 

[WallaceP]

Carry on and get the job done. Keep your head down and if the builder steps out of line inform him firmly but professionally that your way of doing the task is the correct approach. After the job is complete do not take any anymore work for the guy and tell him you are simply too busy for his work. That way you are protecting your reputation with the client and other trades on site, you never know where your next big job will come from.
Good luck with it.

 

[baldelectrician]

I never work for builders.
I make it company policy that any such works are between me and the client.

I price in writing and cost on a per item basis.

 

[Dustydazzler]

As above , I will no longer work for general builders

Some of the stunts they try to pull on sub contractors is crooked , like trying to re negotiate the price once 90% of the work is completed Or trying haggle money of your price after the job has finished

I have even had builders flat refuse to pay me a final payment or offer me a 'bit of cash' as final payment which is about half of what I am actually owed

Dodgy builders can do one as far as I am concerned

 

[LewisM]

If he starts telling you how to do things ask him who's name is going on the certificate and when he replies yours tell him to go and tbag a bear trap.

 

[mattg4321]

I now only work for 2 trusted builders. One is absolutely brilliant to work for, the other is pretty good, can be slow paying but never questions my prices and I don’t quote for anything other than the biggest jobs for either of them.

A lot of other builders have been told where to go over the years though. Most of them are a bit too greedy imo and often want money off or jobs at their properties done for nothing etc.

 

[LukeD]

Never work for builders or scummy landlord types . The moment they start FN about , walk out . Tap into Charities if you want a easy life I have a friend who runs properties for a religious group . They seem to have tons of money to throw around !!

 

[AJB Temple]

Just to add the other side of this coin. I used to run a property development company and we frequently employed sub contract electricians. Most were excellent and we had known them for years. Typically we converted large manor houses to flats or offices, often with some new builds on the site. Occupation would start as work progressed, so usually some people had moved in whilst other homes were finished. On a coupe of occasions I have discovered electricians doing work for new occupants (adding sockets or light fittings or alarms or CCTV) whilst on my site and without the courtesy to ask me and contrary to our contract. In some cases on day rates and in fact working for these others whilst billing me. This resulted in legal action in one case as my business partner is a solicitor and she regarded it as theft. Very rare that we had a problem though and only ever with people who had not worked for us before because it was a new area.

 

[DPG]

Theres good and bad in all trades. Just look at some of the EICRs that have been shown on here lately.