20% money but 80% mither
Discussion
Maybe should be in the business section but its just an informal rant really. Why do certain people mither you constantly but are of virtually no use to you whilst others hardly bother you at all but make you the most money.
We are working for a builder at the moment who only gives us little jobs every now and then and he clearly doesn't know what he is doing to be fair, 6 week jobs take 12 months etc. But he constantly mithers you about trivial little things. We arranged to be there this morning sometime last week yet he has phoned and texted 4 times over the weekend asking if we will be there, there is only a day or two's work in the job. The phone rang again this morning from him, I didn't answer it, instead I ignored it, turned round and have come back home. He has also rang my business partner a couple of times this weekend as well.
I feel a bit of a t
t but I really can't cope with the amount of mither that comes with his job, he is constantly asking for risk assessments and stuff like that, as well as dodging the payment when its due. Thinking about it I cant really believe I've lasted 2 years working for him.
We are working for a builder at the moment who only gives us little jobs every now and then and he clearly doesn't know what he is doing to be fair, 6 week jobs take 12 months etc. But he constantly mithers you about trivial little things. We arranged to be there this morning sometime last week yet he has phoned and texted 4 times over the weekend asking if we will be there, there is only a day or two's work in the job. The phone rang again this morning from him, I didn't answer it, instead I ignored it, turned round and have come back home. He has also rang my business partner a couple of times this weekend as well.
I feel a bit of a t
t but I really can't cope with the amount of mither that comes with his job, he is constantly asking for risk assessments and stuff like that, as well as dodging the payment when its due. Thinking about it I cant really believe I've lasted 2 years working for him.So basically you've proved him right. He was worried you wouldn't turn up and you didn't.
I think you need to discover this thread here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And get yourself a good counsellor, an hour sat on the couch every week will do you wonders.
I think you need to discover this thread here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And get yourself a good counsellor, an hour sat on the couch every week will do you wonders.
Sounds like he was worried you wouldn't show..... building trade is notorious for letting customers down is it not.....and you chose to do exactly that.
You'd have been better off showing up, doing the work, getting paid and then tell him you wouldn't be available in the future and ask him to delete your number
You'd have been better off showing up, doing the work, getting paid and then tell him you wouldn't be available in the future and ask him to delete your number
I don't think there is anything to get over, we have had plenty of mither about other jobs and have had to come up with loads of paperwork but they have been £15-20k jobs and its worth sitting at home for a day getting the paperwork in order. I think you have to draw the line when the phone calls and paperwork amount to more time than doing the actual job.
Other people ring up once and say right the jobs ready, there are the plans and then they leave you alone until its done. The job gets done quickly and on budget.
As a quick example he last job we did for him was a re-wire on a 3 bed house, it took 4 site visits 30 minutes from me before we came up with a plan of the layout and then 5 days to first fix. The agreement was 50% payment on completion of 1st fix and 50% on 2nd fix. We completed the 1st fix in May this year and managed to get 30% of the money in August this year. As it stands the house is sitting there still without any windows in and the job has come to a stop for some reason. I've probably wasted 3 days in all just due to the mither involved with it.
Other people ring up once and say right the jobs ready, there are the plans and then they leave you alone until its done. The job gets done quickly and on budget.
As a quick example he last job we did for him was a re-wire on a 3 bed house, it took 4 site visits 30 minutes from me before we came up with a plan of the layout and then 5 days to first fix. The agreement was 50% payment on completion of 1st fix and 50% on 2nd fix. We completed the 1st fix in May this year and managed to get 30% of the money in August this year. As it stands the house is sitting there still without any windows in and the job has come to a stop for some reason. I've probably wasted 3 days in all just due to the mither involved with it.
V8covin said:
Sounds like he was worried you wouldn't show..... building trade is notorious for letting customers down is it not.....and you chose to do exactly that.
You'd have been better off showing up, doing the work, getting paid and then tell him you wouldn't be available in the future and ask him to delete your number
You cant really do that the way it works, we try not to work for builders just because of this, we only work for one other builder now. What happens is you do one job and you don't get paid, the builder then says he is a bit short of cash but if you start the next job for him he can get some cash of that customer to pay me for the previous one and one it goes, its the only way builders can get anyone to work for them.You'd have been better off showing up, doing the work, getting paid and then tell him you wouldn't be available in the future and ask him to delete your number
There is only two ways to come out of it, either ignore him like I've done or be prepared to not get paid for the final job.
Evoluzione said:
So basically you've proved him right. He was worried you wouldn't turn up and you didn't.
I think you need to discover this thread here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And get yourself a good counsellor, an hour sat on the couch every week will do you wonders.
I'm not annoyed about it, I just think its pointless doing more work for him when he monopolises so much of your time for such a small return. As for not showing up, this job is a simple small kitchen extension, must only be 3mx3m. According to google time line I went and looked at the job when he first started it and it was 19th January this year, thats 9 months ago, it should be a 4 week job, the more I think about it the more crazy he seems.I think you need to discover this thread here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And get yourself a good counsellor, an hour sat on the couch every week will do you wonders.
Hi, Building Surveyor here. Wouldn't you just price his mithering into your quote? Don't want to work for him just make it double expensive. I've got a mate that I sometimes do some pricing for, he picks up a bit of work from a private developer chap who is similar, I just keep putting the price up. Strange thing is he still wins the work but at least he's getting 2 days money for 1/2 days work.
scottyp123 said:
Maybe should be in the business section but its just an informal rant really. Why do certain people mither you constantly but are of virtually no use to you whilst others hardly bother you at all but make you the most money.
We are working for a builder at the moment who only gives us little jobs every now and then and he clearly doesn't know what he is doing to be fair, 6 week jobs take 12 months etc. But he constantly mithers you about trivial little things. We arranged to be there this morning sometime last week yet he has phoned and texted 4 times over the weekend asking if we will be there, there is only a day or two's work in the job. The phone rang again this morning from him, I didn't answer it, instead I ignored it, turned round and have come back home. He has also rang my business partner a couple of times this weekend as well.
I feel a bit of a tt but I really can't cope with the amount of mither that comes with his job, he is constantly asking for risk assessments and stuff like that, as well as dodging the payment when its due. Thinking about it I cant really believe I've lasted 2 years working for him.
Mr Pee ranting again ,what's new ?We are working for a builder at the moment who only gives us little jobs every now and then and he clearly doesn't know what he is doing to be fair, 6 week jobs take 12 months etc. But he constantly mithers you about trivial little things. We arranged to be there this morning sometime last week yet he has phoned and texted 4 times over the weekend asking if we will be there, there is only a day or two's work in the job. The phone rang again this morning from him, I didn't answer it, instead I ignored it, turned round and have come back home. He has also rang my business partner a couple of times this weekend as well.
I feel a bit of a t
t but I really can't cope with the amount of mither that comes with his job, he is constantly asking for risk assessments and stuff like that, as well as dodging the payment when its due. Thinking about it I cant really believe I've lasted 2 years working for him.I don't get it.
Bloke gives you some work
Bloke texts you to ensure that you'll turn up.
Bloke calls you on the day to ensure that you'll turn up.
You see this as 'mither' so turn around and go home, surmising that it's not worth the effort.
And tradesmen wonder why some of them have a bad name......
Bloke gives you some work
Bloke texts you to ensure that you'll turn up.
Bloke calls you on the day to ensure that you'll turn up.
You see this as 'mither' so turn around and go home, surmising that it's not worth the effort.
And tradesmen wonder why some of them have a bad name......
Muzzer79 said:
I don't get it.
Bloke gives you some work
Bloke texts you to ensure that you'll turn up.
Bloke calls you on the day to ensure that you'll turn up.
You see this as 'mither' so turn around and go home, surmising that it's not worth the effort.
And tradesmen wonder why some of them have a bad name......
Not quite.Bloke gives you some work
Bloke texts you to ensure that you'll turn up.
Bloke calls you on the day to ensure that you'll turn up.
You see this as 'mither' so turn around and go home, surmising that it's not worth the effort.
And tradesmen wonder why some of them have a bad name......
Bloke wants you to take time out of your day to survey a job that doesn't need looking at beforehand because its so simple anyway.
Bloke stops you working to ring you up asking if you are coming to look at the job as previously arranged.
Bloke then changes the date to look at the job at the last minute.
Bloke then takes more time out of your day to rearrange.
Bloke changes the job spec after its agreed (more phone calls and wants you to look at the job again)
Bloke puts the start date back 3 times sending other work into chaos that I've got.
Bloke wants paperwork off you for risk assessments and method statements
Bloke then pesters you to make sure you are coming
Bloke mithers you some more when you are actually on the way.
Bloke leaves the job half finished for months and then doges payment requests.
Bloke eventually gives you £200 for a days work and £100 for materials that you spent 3 months ago.
I didn't turn around because of one phone call this morning, I turned round because of all of the above.
Majority of our other jobs go like this.
Bloke rings you up and says I'm building an extension and it will be ready on x date can you meet the client to discuss what they want.
Bloke rings you up a few days before x date saying you can start on x date as agreed and everything is good to go.
Bloke says he will get all of his stuff out of the job so we have space to work.
Bloke supplies any materials we ask for.
Bloke says is it ok to get the plasters in.
Bloke says how much do we owe you I will transfer it tonight.
bloke transfers the money that night, probably £1500-2k's worth of work.
Bloke rings you up and says I'm building an extension and it will be ready on x date can you meet the client to discuss what they want.
Bloke rings you up a few days before x date saying you can start on x date as agreed and everything is good to go.
Bloke says he will get all of his stuff out of the job so we have space to work.
Bloke supplies any materials we ask for.
Bloke says is it ok to get the plasters in.
Bloke says how much do we owe you I will transfer it tonight.
bloke transfers the money that night, probably £1500-2k's worth of work.
scottyp123 said:
Muzzer79 said:
I don't get it.
Bloke gives you some work
Bloke texts you to ensure that you'll turn up.
Bloke calls you on the day to ensure that you'll turn up.
You see this as 'mither' so turn around and go home, surmising that it's not worth the effort.
And tradesmen wonder why some of them have a bad name......
Not quite.Bloke gives you some work
Bloke texts you to ensure that you'll turn up.
Bloke calls you on the day to ensure that you'll turn up.
You see this as 'mither' so turn around and go home, surmising that it's not worth the effort.
And tradesmen wonder why some of them have a bad name......
Bloke wants you to take time out of your day to survey a job that doesn't need looking at beforehand because its so simple anyway.
Bloke stops you working to ring you up asking if you are coming to look at the job as previously arranged.
Bloke then changes the date to look at the job at the last minute.
Bloke then takes more time out of your day to rearrange.
Bloke changes the job spec after its agreed (more phone calls and wants you to look at the job again)
Bloke puts the start date back 3 times sending other work into chaos that I've got.
Bloke wants paperwork off you for risk assessments and method statements
Bloke then pesters you to make sure you are coming
Bloke mithers you some more when you are actually on the way.
Bloke leaves the job half finished for months and then doges payment requests.
Bloke eventually gives you £200 for a days work and £100 for materials that you spent 3 months ago.
I didn't turn around because of one phone call this morning, I turned round because of all of the above.
Instead of being a typical tradesman and not turning up, just tell him you dont want the job. Simples.
Or better still, be a business man, and factor all that into the job and charge accordingly.
Sadly you chose to do what most of your collegues in your industry do. Go to ground, and ignore the phone and email.
This chap does sound like a very frustrating person to work for.
At the same time I am not sure scottyP has handled this in the most effective or professional way.
Are toxic masculinity or a lack of emotional intelligence potential primary reasons for why (so many, by no means all) builders/tradesmen have a bad reputation for reliability? (i.e. they’re unequipped to manage work-based frustrations in an effective productive way?)
At the same time I am not sure scottyP has handled this in the most effective or professional way.
Are toxic masculinity or a lack of emotional intelligence potential primary reasons for why (so many, by no means all) builders/tradesmen have a bad reputation for reliability? (i.e. they’re unequipped to manage work-based frustrations in an effective productive way?)
scottyp123 said:
Not quite.
Bloke wants you to take time out of your day to survey a job that doesn't need looking at beforehand because its so simple anyway.
Bloke stops you working to ring you up asking if you are coming to look at the job as previously arranged.
Bloke then changes the date to look at the job at the last minute.
Bloke then takes more time out of your day to rearrange.
Bloke changes the job spec after its agreed (more phone calls and wants you to look at the job again)
Bloke puts the start date back 3 times sending other work into chaos that I've got.
Bloke wants paperwork off you for risk assessments and method statements
Bloke then pesters you to make sure you are coming
Bloke mithers you some more when you are actually on the way.
Bloke leaves the job half finished for months and then doges payment requests.
Bloke eventually gives you £200 for a days work and £100 for materials that you spent 3 months ago.
I didn't turn around because of one phone call this morning, I turned round because of all of the above.
He does sound like an annoying bloke to do work for mate. Did you turn around to a day of no other work or go onto a better job?Bloke wants you to take time out of your day to survey a job that doesn't need looking at beforehand because its so simple anyway.
Bloke stops you working to ring you up asking if you are coming to look at the job as previously arranged.
Bloke then changes the date to look at the job at the last minute.
Bloke then takes more time out of your day to rearrange.
Bloke changes the job spec after its agreed (more phone calls and wants you to look at the job again)
Bloke puts the start date back 3 times sending other work into chaos that I've got.
Bloke wants paperwork off you for risk assessments and method statements
Bloke then pesters you to make sure you are coming
Bloke mithers you some more when you are actually on the way.
Bloke leaves the job half finished for months and then doges payment requests.
Bloke eventually gives you £200 for a days work and £100 for materials that you spent 3 months ago.
I didn't turn around because of one phone call this morning, I turned round because of all of the above.
As annoying as all of those things you listed are, you knew about most of them before you took on the job and it clearly didn't stop you from taking on the job as you only sacked it off on the morning. I'm not sure about how any bad mouthing from this guy can effect you on future jobs or potential customers but I'd definitely be careful about letting people down, it might be better in the future to just price the aggro in to the job to make it a price that you don't really care about the aggro if you get the job but you also don't let anyone down if you don't get the job?
scottyp123 said:
Majority of our other jobs go like this.
Bloke rings you up and says I'm building an extension and it will be ready on x date can you meet the client to discuss what they want.
Bloke rings you up a few days before x date saying you can start on x date as agreed and everything is good to go.
Bloke says he will get all of his stuff out of the job so we have space to work.
Bloke supplies any materials we ask for.
Bloke says is it ok to get the plasters in.
Bloke says how much do we owe you I will transfer it tonight.
bloke transfers the money that night, probably £1500-2k's worth of work.
I can understand that he's a pain but just not turning up reminds him that you need chasing (as do far too many tradesmen).Bloke rings you up and says I'm building an extension and it will be ready on x date can you meet the client to discuss what they want.
Bloke rings you up a few days before x date saying you can start on x date as agreed and everything is good to go.
Bloke says he will get all of his stuff out of the job so we have space to work.
Bloke supplies any materials we ask for.
Bloke says is it ok to get the plasters in.
Bloke says how much do we owe you I will transfer it tonight.
bloke transfers the money that night, probably £1500-2k's worth of work.
scottyp123 said:
Maybe should be in the business section but its just an informal rant really. Why do certain people mither you constantly but are of virtually no use to you whilst others hardly bother you at all but make you the most money.
It’s not always easy to do, but binning the customers who cause you grief and actually cost you money can make a huge difference to your business.Gassing Station | Business | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff