The Kitchen of Great Lamentation

[eruditebaboon]

I hate to post a blog post with no comics in it, especially since it's been so long since I posted anything at all, but I am in dire need of the sage advice of the wisest entity there is: THE INTERNET*.

For the last month we have been getting our kitchen done (yes, folks, not only does this post contain no comics, it's also about the fascintaing

Comments

Jim

[anonymous]

he is a contractor. you can be as firm as you want with him because till he gets the work done and you pay him you are HIS boss

[zonemind]

My family has made its nut in property, mostly residential. Here is my advice, as someone with some experience on the topic:

Find a new builder.

If your local contractor licensing board is the sort that polices its membership, report on the basis of deceptive bidding. "The estimate didn't include labour" is bull.

[anonymous]

Hello. Susan here. Um... I'm in two minds. One: my gut says to end things now in case things get really buggered up when he's even more fully on the job, but Two: that might be a bit hasty.

You know we installed our kitchen in Hither Green ourselves from Ikea, right? It is possible to do it yourself and just get a joiner in to fit the work surfaces (if wooden) and get a plumber in to do those bits. That might be a back up plan if you can't find anyone to do it.

I'm also not liking his "you have til the end of the day to decide" deadline. More bullying tactics as he knows full well you won't get someone in to take over the job in a day.

I think you should end things with him now, but you need to decide how hasty that is...

[zhaf_razhid]

Yep, he is playing hardball trying to strong-arm you into making a decision without really questioning him. And probably because once you start to look into it more, you'll find more things that disturb you.

Yes, you might see him around a lot in the future, but in terms of total hours, I assume you're going to spend more overall time in your home than you will running into him in the neighborhood.

My advice is go slow and do it right. Unless you're a secret millionaire AND a masochist, I am pretty sure you don't want to have to do this again four months after the work is "done." You wouldn't want to have to send the speedboat warlock after him. (Added bonus, he may not even have worries about seeing you often in the future if he bullies you, cheats you, and acts like a total jerk.)

Ditch him, hire someone else.

[anonymous]

I've had great success with mybuilder.com. I'd highly recommend popping on there and checking it out. You post job with details and then multiple builders will reply with quotes and you can pick and choose.

I wouldn't deal with anyone who's decided to have a hissy fit because they've made an error in judgement over their costs. If you want to let him down easy just say you've got a family member who's said they can finish the job. Can't argue with that.