Good, he deserves as little money as you can now get away with based on his attitude if nothing else.
We are currently facing an issue with several outstanding physical items, each of significant value, not accounting for additional fitting costs. Some examples include:
- Julet Balcony (£1,200)
- Bathroom (£4-6k)
- Glass balustrade (£500-700)
- Two Composite doors (£1250 each)
These figures do not encompass all pending tasks, such as completing brickwork, addressing lead work and trays that need redoing, and painting the entire house from top to bottom.
Regarding costs, we aim to have as much work completed by the developer as possible. Currently, we are trying to avoid costing discussions, as he is still on-site carrying out works (we have paid him like 95% anyway). This approach is intended to narrow the gap between what has been paid and what he believes he is owed, in case he decides to walk away from the project.
However, feedback from various trades indicates that he is very unlikely to walk. Instead, he tends to push clients to terminate the contract, allowing him to avoid being perceived as breaching his contractual obligations
Sorry this is dragging on, but it would seem that you’re doing closer. Keep the numbers of the decent trades for sure! The pictures are looking really great.
Are they on websites like mybuilder and check a trade? They’re usually quite helpful in these situations. Had ours come back quite apologetic (initially) when we had him removed from mybuilder.com. I dread to think how he had left other clients!
Once again, the developer has postponed the completion date. The revised practical completion date for interior work is set for the 26th. My wife and I are steadfast in our decision not to relocate our 2-year-old to what essentially remains a construction site, especially without essential items like a secure door, staircase rail/balustrade, and even a Juliet balcony.
Yesterday, the developer issued an apology, acknowledging that he is currently under a great deal of stress because he is moving home and regrettably taking it out on clients. Despite his admission, he seemed to be in a relatively good mood during our interaction. However, he noticed my wife taking notes, a practice she maintains in every meeting. What caught his attention was her use of shorthand, a skill she developed as a former journalist for a major newspaper and media outlet.
Upon his inquiry, my wife clarified her background in journalism, hoping that the recognition of her media connections might prompt a positive change in the working relationship. It remains to be seen or the penny has not dropped yet.
The developer is not listed on any website or trade review platform, which poses its own challenges. However, this absence from public platforms can work to our advantage when we eventually leave reviews. Our review will likely stand out at the top of the list, providing an impactful platform to share our experiences and concerns
I'm about to start a new build with limited budget/experience and reading through your whole thread about the problems you've encountered with various trades is starting to give me nightmares
. Hope it all works out well for you in the end, it's starting to look really nice
I highly recommend conducting thorough due diligence before engaging with any developer. Despite our efforts to research and even consult with a previous client, our experience has been far from satisfactory. It's crucial to go beyond surface-level inquiries and ensure that the developer possesses accredited certifications from reputable organisations such as Master Builders.
While our experience has been challenging, it's important to note that the majority of the trades involved in the project have been good. Our cautionary tale emphasises the significance of scrutinising a developer's credentials and track record, even when recommendations seem positive. Don't let our unfortunate experience put you off , but rather let it serve as a reminder to assess all aspects before entering into any agreement.
I would also recommend a QS and architect meet with your developer before signing anything (check the relationship) and see if the QS or architect get any bad vibes.
As a side note, this seemingly basic photo represents a significant milestone. The numerous arguments (actual physical and verbal abuse) and negotiations required to reach this point are quite astonishing and might be hard to believe. Despite its apparent simplicity, the journey to achieving this visual outcome has been anything but straightforward.
A bath tap that goes into the bath
A towel radaitor up high enough you can actually use (yet to be plummed)