Building Trade - Walking off a Job
Discussion
Just wanted to get a few opinions on the situation I’m in and whether or not there could be any legal repercussions.
I’m a bricklayer and I said I’d help another builder with a barn conversion. The barn is 200 years old. This builder is 30 years older than me and very set in his way and works to an incredibly high standard. Everything has to be done his way.
I too work to a very high standard. I’ve done jobs for him before, new builds and he’s been very happy with them, hence why he’s asked me to help with this.
I’ve never worked on an old barn like this and have no real experience in this kind of work, I’ve only ever worked on traditional houses and new builds.
I started on Tuesday and I’m really not enjoying myself. The drawing provided by a structural engineer is awful, it’s on A4 paper with hand writing that I’m struggling to read. They want the floor taken out and patched in 11 different stages in case the place falls down (it is only 4 meters by 8 meters), I need to run everything by the builder and have had to change two things already, one because of something he didn’t tell me, one because it was something he did tell me on the first day amongst 100 other things.
I just don’t want any part of it and getting involved was a mistake. There’s no paperwork between us, just a “will you help” “yes I will” kind of situation.
Obviously he won’t be happy if I say I’m not going, that’s just one of those things, for me it’s just not working out. If things were to turn nasty, could there be some kind of legal repercussion with regards to “verbal contract” or anything of that nature? I’ve had no money off him and to be honest I don’t even want any.
I’m a bricklayer and I said I’d help another builder with a barn conversion. The barn is 200 years old. This builder is 30 years older than me and very set in his way and works to an incredibly high standard. Everything has to be done his way.
I too work to a very high standard. I’ve done jobs for him before, new builds and he’s been very happy with them, hence why he’s asked me to help with this.
I’ve never worked on an old barn like this and have no real experience in this kind of work, I’ve only ever worked on traditional houses and new builds.
I started on Tuesday and I’m really not enjoying myself. The drawing provided by a structural engineer is awful, it’s on A4 paper with hand writing that I’m struggling to read. They want the floor taken out and patched in 11 different stages in case the place falls down (it is only 4 meters by 8 meters), I need to run everything by the builder and have had to change two things already, one because of something he didn’t tell me, one because it was something he did tell me on the first day amongst 100 other things.
I just don’t want any part of it and getting involved was a mistake. There’s no paperwork between us, just a “will you help” “yes I will” kind of situation.
Obviously he won’t be happy if I say I’m not going, that’s just one of those things, for me it’s just not working out. If things were to turn nasty, could there be some kind of legal repercussion with regards to “verbal contract” or anything of that nature? I’ve had no money off him and to be honest I don’t even want any.
Oh for crying out loud.
Don't get Covid.
Do have a sensible adult conversation with him. try not to leave him in the lurch, but do what you have to to a) make sure it works for you b) act professionally and sensibly, and not burn any bridges, and c) Try and make the situation work for him as best as possible.
In that order.
Don't get Covid.
Do have a sensible adult conversation with him. try not to leave him in the lurch, but do what you have to to a) make sure it works for you b) act professionally and sensibly, and not burn any bridges, and c) Try and make the situation work for him as best as possible.
In that order.
Lozw86 said:
Have you discussed how you feel with him?
Have you verbally agreed a contract or period of time for which you will provide labour? If not, I can’t see any issue with politely declining further involvement
Nothing was agreed to my knowledge although he is probably under the assumption that I’d be there until the day he tells me I’m not wanted, probably when the plasterers are ready to get involved. Have you verbally agreed a contract or period of time for which you will provide labour? If not, I can’t see any issue with politely declining further involvement
I haven’t spoken to him although when he was criticising something at quarter to 5 and then asked me to stay late to use up some sand and cement, to which I said no it’s already well past half 4, he could probably tell I was irritated.
As said previously, have a chat with him, say it’s not your bag and you prefer doing new builds and give him a few days notice and leave. You’ll likely loose any future work with him for a while if that bothers you.
When I was self employed I walked off a couple of jobs for one reason or another, people are unhappy at the time but soon get over it.
When I was self employed I walked off a couple of jobs for one reason or another, people are unhappy at the time but soon get over it.
whatxd said:
I just don’t want any part of it and getting involved was a mistake. There’s no paperwork between us, just a “will you help” “yes I will” kind of situation.
Obviously, since you worked with him before he did not even need any contract and considered old school “gentleman” word instead. To be honest, just have a meeting with him as advised, and continue until perhaps he finds a replacement. In my previous life, I was in construction industry and anyone who has ever done a “walking off” without any notice or strong excuse from a job would be in a permanent black-list. Stick with it and learn from the experience. You've currently only ever done new builds so working on a 200 year old barn is good for personal development and would look good on your 'cv' for future work. Even if you don't like the other builder's style of management, you can at least learn from him, seeing as he sounds like he's more experienced than you.
Unlikely to be any "legal repercussions" on a verbal contract but like others have said its not good practice, contacts and reputation go a long way in this game.
Sounds like you're feeling a bit subordinate, well sorry I got news, I'm professionally qualified and accountable and got decades of experience but because I don't roll around a building site acting like billy big balls people still try it on talking down to me. Dealing with other trades or clients fragile egos is all part of the game.
Sounds like you're feeling a bit subordinate, well sorry I got news, I'm professionally qualified and accountable and got decades of experience but because I don't roll around a building site acting like billy big balls people still try it on talking down to me. Dealing with other trades or clients fragile egos is all part of the game.
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