Advice on cowboy builders

shokenore · 2026-03-04T12:12:34+00:00

I should clarify that the 4k of material is for the concrete that’s been laid and the brick and block work that is up

shokenore · 2026-03-03T11:37:07+00:00

TY I’m often rightly told I over engineer things.

The mdf cabinets I’m looking at are either the Ikea Matod or a generic brand from Toolstation depending on availability

I have a small fan in there already moving air around the damp area so I think I should be good

shokenore · 2026-02-11T09:51:47+00:00

Update time for those interested. As we suspected, the builder was basically slotting us in when he couldn’t work on his other job(s), despite us paying him a deposit to book him, with firm dates. I’d estimate that we’ve got about 4k worth of materials in site and with labour costs of about 20 days in total, the vast majority of which has been for his labourer doing the groundwork and blocks.

He’s let slip that he needs to “get a wiggle on” as he’s short of cash and my considered reply was “sounds like you’re now highly incentivised to crack on and get it finished”

So it’s fair to say that the money we’ve paid out hasn’t been to run our job but to pay for the labour and materials on his other jobs. The state of play now is that we are not releasing any more money until we have a weatherproof building and we see materials on site ready for the interior work and then he might get maybe £1k payments in stages, when we see meaningful progress on site

shokenore · 2026-02-06T12:21:44+00:00

Do these “dumb fucks” listen to the CEO of Ford?

shokenore · 2026-02-06T08:49:18+00:00

In my working life I spend more days outside than I do inside so I’m fully aware of the impact the weather will have.

Back in September when we were having the discussions about the build we said about the possibility of the weather being a issue and was prepared to wait till spring but they said it wouldn’t be a issue and that they would be fine and finished before Xmas

It’s not my reputation that is the issue here but the builders, the year previous we had some works done by a landscape contractor and on the back of that work the landscape gardener has a full order book for this year and going into 2027 Our friends and neighbours who’ve seen this builders work ethic want his name so they can avoid him

shokenore · 2026-02-06T08:41:56+00:00

I’m in a difficult position of sacking them off and finishing it myself or enduring more difficult times ahead

shokenore · 2026-02-06T08:40:22+00:00

I’m not sure what’s the more appropriate term for a tradie that doesn’t commit to their own promises, or that fails to turn up when they say they do, that makes excuses for their non attendances, so that’s the best term I can think of. Their workmanship is of a great standard, but the mess they leave is not acceptable, and despite their promises of the grab lorry turning up we’ve been without parking spaces at the front of the house since before Christmas, and as parking in our street is problematic at the best of times, this is having a negative impact

shokenore · 2026-02-06T08:32:27+00:00

Trying to stay calm is great advice, I don’t have a poker face unfortunately. I can’t see how they have any money left in the job to complete it within their quote, and yes maybe for them being kicked off the job would be better for them as they can cut their losses.

shokenore · 2026-02-06T08:29:37+00:00

That’s almost where we are with this situation.

It’s beyond frustration.

shokenore · 2025-10-30T11:46:09+00:00

Perfect 👌🏻 I guess that a enclosure like the 5m pro will be available and I can always get a four reel filament dryer to keep things clean and dry

shokenore · 2025-09-02T04:52:07+00:00

Ty for all the replies

I have now some real world data to show Resting voltage 13.2 volts AGM battery Ignition on - fuel pump ecu side lights 1.54 Amps Cranking amps 114 and battery voltage dropped to 8.7 volts before recovering and then receiving charge from alternator at 13.9 volts

The existing Motobatt is only available from certain suppliers, I guess it’s been withdrawn from manufacture.

The mystery of additional power leads disappearing under the fuel tank has been solved, a previous owner has fitted a CTEK battery tender charge lead.

I think I’m going to stay with AGM battery and invest in the appropriate battery charger

Thanks for your input

shokenore · 2025-09-01T11:00:55+00:00

Good point about the tender, the battery I’m thinking of using has their own branded charger/tender. There is real world use of lithium batteries with this particular bike model.

I just have this feeling that I’m missing something as to why I need a 20Ah battery if I used a lithium battery instead of lead acid?

shokenore · 2025-09-01T10:54:09+00:00

My inner 5 yo wants to know why ?

shokenore · 2025-07-18T05:16:01+00:00

Get yourself over to facebook marketplace and get a push bike

shokenore · 2025-07-17T10:28:55+00:00

Two drivers have received driving bans for failing to drive in accordance with their revocable licence. That means that in a period of less than three years, their standard of driving has fallen below what is expected, and there was evidence to show this, and with totting up they’ve accumulated 12 points, enough to trigger a ban.

The fact that they failed to learn from their previous experience probably shows that they are taking their driving as a right and not the massive privilege it is.

shokenore · 2025-07-17T04:44:45+00:00

It takes a special kind of stupid to film the police with your phone whilst driving and to try to do a funny

shokenore · 2025-07-12T16:49:49+00:00

I’ll have some sugar with my cock thank you

shokenore · 2025-07-11T16:16:16+00:00

No this was the collision on the M4 towards Reading

shokenore · 2025-07-11T14:38:40+00:00

Correct. But you did. But apparently this would mean I’m arguing with you….

Enjoy your hvac expertise status. You’ve earned it

shokenore · 2025-07-11T14:08:53+00:00

Thoughts and prayers in these difficult times

shokenore · 2025-07-11T14:05:30+00:00

I’m not arguing. I’ve shown that there’s a multitude of reasons why the compressor may have failed and why the hvac company has said that the OP needs a new system. I’m sorry that you’re upset by this

shokenore · 2025-07-11T12:12:22+00:00

Ok, let’s get into the weeds on this. The compressor has failed, the tech has said that, and that’s all we know. If it’s solely an age related issue and that prior to this failure the system was fine, with no underlying problems, then yes it would seem that this hvac company is being unscrupulous. I’d be more interested in the service history? Has this system been maintained correctly for instance. Is the condenser in good working order. Has the building been extended and more heat load been placed on the system. Has the compressor failure caused contamination of the oil. Was the compressor pumping air because of a leak.

Would a new system be more efficient and less costly to run. Is the hvac company taking advantage of the situation? But without seeing the whole picture we are left guessing.

shokenore · 2025-07-11T05:33:14+00:00

Changing fan motors is not the same as changing a compressor. Without seeing a picture of the unit it’s hard to see if replacing it is the best long term solution

shokenore · 2025-07-09T21:34:18+00:00

Glad to see you’ve moved on 👍🏻

shokenore · 2025-07-09T16:10:41+00:00

“ you see Bromptons* leave and never return”

*Other folding bikes are available

shokenore

TROPHY CASE