Forced off the job!!! How did it get to this???
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- Опубликовано: 24 дек 2023
- Hello everyone and Merry Christmas!!! With all this festive cheer in the air we thought that this would be the perfect time to explain why we've been sacked from the "Wonky House" project that we took on earlier this year.
Obviously, this is only one side of the story and we have absolutely no hard feelings towards the customers and we wish them all the best for the future.
However, facts are facts and although there were many many reasons why things ended the way they did, in this video I stick to what I can prove.
It's a shame that 18 months of meetings and negotiations resulted in nothing but headaches and frustrations but these things happen, it's not all sweetness and delight!
Take care everyone, thank you for watching.
Thanks
Morning Mike, hope you're well mate. Just to let you know that the £4.99 that you so generously gave us will be going to a local charity. We're going to promote what you've done and tell others that should they wish to do the same, the amount amassed over the year will then be spent on toys for the kids at Birmingham Children's Hospital at Christmas 2024. Hopefully mate, with a few more people like yourself and a bit of luck, you may have started a little something that can put a few smiles on some faces. Have a great day mate.
That’s great. It’s not much but I hoped this would show my support in a bit more than words. All the best.
Mike
@mikemclennan2909 fair play to you mate. All the best.
I think u will look back and thank fook I got away from that 😂😂😂
@michaelhewlett4401 haha! Already am mate!
I’m a Chartered Engineer specialising in bridges and major civil structures - I have designed some very large retaining walls (up to 35m retained height). I completely agree with your approach, and based on this video would definitely employ you! Well done for standing your ground.
Thank you, Daniel. I really appreciate that! All the best for the new year!
Totally agree if that went over that on your back I would have done the same
Regards
Steve UK London
I worked for a building firm in London, and we eventually went to court and lost because the judge said “you were the experts you should not have done the work if you knew it was wrong”… just a warning!!
You were 100(percent right.
As a suggestion to you go and speak to the neighbours about what will happen to the tree if you went any nearer so they can make sure it doesn't die.
Name the type of foundation employed on this wall ?
My father was a builder and I did my apprenticeship as a bricklayer. I left the trade in 2009 because I realised that there were easier ways to make a living but I had my share of "difficult customers". One that I remember very well was an extension I was asked to build for a young couple in Norfolk. Within days of starting the job I found out that the girls father was a retired architect and every morning I was given a list of things that either didn't meet his criteria or he was demanding I did and all of them were against building regs. I put up with this for a couple of weeks until I arrived on a Monday morning to find that he had been at the weekend and demolished all the brickwork I had done after telling them that "A proper bricklayer does the blockwork first and paints them with sealant before doing the brickwork" at this point I put my tools in the van and left after telling them to get her dad to do the work. Over the next year or so at least 4 other guys that I know of took on that job and all left within a week because of this idiot. The house then went up for sale without the extension being built.
I’ve retired from the building trade (bricklayer) it’s the best thing that’s happened to me don’t miss it at all
@@ianmuir3640 I hadn't laid a brick for more than 10 years but last summer I built a garage for a mate. Laying bricks in the fresh air was actually a nice change but I'd never go back to it, like you I don't miss it. It always seemed to me that it was bloody hard graft for a little money, I know a lot of people think brickies earn a fortune but the truth is that you're always at the mercy of the weather, you get ripped off and if you do anything about it you're undoubtedly the one who ends up in court. I clean carpets for a living these days, I don't have to pay for anything, van, diesel, equipment is all supplied by the company I just turn up and do my job. Happy days!
@@ianmuir3640 same I was a plasterer,loved the laughs on site but that was all,I retrained after plastering for 20yrs I'm now a engineer 👍 best thing I ever did, was a shame as was in the trade 20yrs, sadly I feel now its all going down hill rapidly due to short cuts and alot of things not being passed down, the works getting rougher and rougher no pride anymore just all about the money.
A friend of mine was going to complain about a hob installation because there was a tiny little gap at the front and the back (you could slide a piece of paper under it) which turned out to be the worktop was very slightly concaved (so higher in the middle than the front and back). LOL some people... I did tell him not to and i hope he didn't.
I'm so glad that i'm capable of DIY and not an ignorant pen pusher lol.
@@ERGRUPPETTO worked for the department of work and pensions from 09 until 2012. Since then I've cleaned carpets.
From one self employed tradesman to another, well played my man.
I am a surveyor of 47 years - still active and have, on occasion, inspected work in progress. The situation you found yourself in meant there was no option but to walk away. The architect (most likely a technician ) should have advised your client on the facts. Your approach is first class, and the trees will now be suffering due to the exposed roots . I suspect nothing will be right for the client, and to have progressed any further would have meant deeper foundations for the extension to satisfy Building Control. At your cost .
I am pleased you stood your ground . The Building Safety Act 2022 now applies to all construction. I doubt the client is aware of their obligations . Wish you a good 2024 you didnt need this one .
So if the customer found a builder to build against regs they're both liable?
The architect and structural engineer should have raised the point to the customer about the closeness of the tree. If you were to continue, then your concerns should have been put in writing to be approved and signed by them, then you'd have no come backs. However, you did right by sticking to your professional guns. Well done.
You act professionally, calmly, and with integrity. Well done for maintaining standards and not taking the easy route.
Thank you, Colin. I really appreciate that. Take care.
Always better to leave it and walk away, then have to face continous bad feedback. Stick to your principles 👍
thAn ffs!
Followed you guys for ages. Your work is exceptional. Their loss. Have a fantastic 2024 to you and yours! 👍🎉😁
Hello pal! Hope you're well. Yes, you've given us a couple of shout outs within your videos last year and we really really appreciate it, thank you! Were big fans of yours too. Hope you've had a great Christmas mate and all the best for the new year to you and your family. Take care, thanks again.
Be really interesting when you’re driving past over the next year to see what the progress is like and how many other builders they get through. If you’ve come out evens then ide take it as a blessing. You could have given them a rainbow and there wouldn’t have been enough colours, all the best for 2024 all of you xxx
I'm using the rainbow quote all the time from now on haha
Haha! It's a good one isn't it!
20 years ago I might have listened to the client but after a lifetime of listening to amateur builders now I'm out the door when I start getting advice from clients ,you did the right thing
100% mate. I've even had one punter telling me when I priced her job...."15 mins paint a door side, 10 door sides 2 coats, that's 20 door sides, i expect you have them done by noon". I just turned my back, walked away and said......get someone else.
I’m no builder but I think it’s always best to build inside your own boundary. It may save a lot of hassle from-neighbours later.
thats exactly what he has done but its off cock so its gonna grind on the client
Sounds like you've dodged a bullet here. Roger Bisby on the Skill Builder channel recently did a video on why so many trades are leaving the game and one of the big reasons was.....the customers! As much as we all love RUclips for the videos that guys like yourselves take the time and effort to make, the customer will watch one 5 minute video on retaining walls and immediately feel they know more than the builder who's spent 30 years in the trade. I'm a decorator by trade and i am stunned by the amount of customers I get who will actually try to tell me how to do my job. This has only been the last 4 or 5 years but it's on the increase. I'm lucky that I have enough good, solid, regular customers that I can turn around and walk away from pricing a job if I start to get any grief but if I was just starting out now, I'd definitely be reconsidering my future in this industry.
You definitely did the right thing in sticking to your decision and backing your professional experience. I hope you're ok for work now this one has gone down the carzey but I reckon 100% of tradesmen watching this would have your back. Great channel by the way, keep it up 👍
As a building professional specialising in party walls and neighbourly matters I admire your integrity, impartiality and common sense. Professionalism shines through in all that you note here. All the best to you. Any customer who secures your services will be very fortunate.
Would u want wall out square to boundary like this if moved wall should move it keep square not one side
Adam, you should be so relieved this job has gone, you have definitely dodged a bullet, top builders like yourself will never struggle for work. I would wish you good luck but I don’t think you need it .
Wholeheartedly agree with your reasoning. You could potentialy leave yourselves open to a court case for negligence should it have collaped and hurt someone. Happy Christmas and a good start to 2024 guys. Keep the videos comming.
Cheers mate! All the best.
Good for you, right is always the correct way…
Customer sounds like a nightmare !! looks like to me another customer is going to gain a great tradesman and appreciate your work. Sometimes these things happen for a reason and a better project will come along. All the best keep up the good work👍🏻
I have been a working foreman for a very good builder for many years.
I am now retired, but I would have loved working for you with the quality and morals you have.
Well done outstanding. Wish you all the best, you did the right thing.
As disappointing as it feels now to be off the job, imagine the grief and headache saved on further aspects of the build.
What you've done is entirely correct and to allow for the trees is a wise decision. For over thirty years I worked in construction and I experienced similar circumstances on many occasions. I too stuck to my principals and in the knowledge of the potential consequences of the customer's desires, I refused categorically to undertake the work to the customer's specifications. Year's of seeing bad workmanship and having to put things right, I would never put myself in a position where I would have sleepless nights. We live and learn, but for some it has to be the hard way. Good decisions in life are precious and ensure a good reputation in the long run.
Im thinking once backfilled it would make a great feature with small shrubs either in planters or with mood lighting. Go with what you have.
That exactly what I was thinking, without a decent width of ground it would look weird I think. Some nice bushes etc would look really nice and break it up a bit.
@@truthwillout7909think they must be prison warders liking walls so much and hating a bit of greenery. They could use the bit 'given up' for some tasteful shrubs or climbers to hide some of the 'what trees' they could not see anyway.
As a homeowner who just has full planning permission granted for a 2 story extension. This has opened my eyes to who to choose from the builders hitting my inbox and letter box for work. (I'm in Nottingham btw if you want to tender for the job 😂).
I'll be self building some (groundworks, piping etc)...... But as my wonky bbq can testify sometimes I need to call in the experts.
I loved your quote "the customer is always right".... Let me adjust that for you "the customer always thinks they are right...... Yet the experts are always correct"
First time I've seen your channel. I'm sure most of us viewing this would be delighted with a builder like you to be working with us. The greater loss is theirs not yours. Good luck to them in finding a builder as conscientious as you.
It’s a testament to the high standards you’ve set that you are willing to walk away instead of backing down and going against your morals. Well done Adam and gang. Am sure you will look back on this one and say am glad I walked away. Also you won’t be losing me as a subscriber because I respect you even more lads. Keep up the great work and have a fantastic new year. 👍🏻
Nice one Adam! I really appreciate that mate, thank you for sticking around! Merry Christmas, mate. All the best.
I respect your honesty and courage to put this video, because usually we don't see videos on youtube when things go badly wrong. I'm sure future customers who see this video, to me it's a confession, they will appreciate your professionalism and the fact that you are not willing to do a rubbish job. I hope more customers to see your story and you'll defenitly get the right clients. I wish you all the best for the new year, and keep up the good standard and moral ground as you did. Good luck.
I'm a painter and decorator i get similar, after a lifetime in the industry i now am able to filter out the difficult clients and jobs before i even start
Oh do tell? Whats the signs?
I've been telling my mates in the trades to embrace the power of the word "no" for years. It's one of the best lessons i've ever learned. We all need to be happy with the work we are doing. You did well.
Absolutely 100% with you on that. ... although some narcissistic customers dont have "no" in their vocabulary. ... it's easier in my profession, I can run away from them at the start. It's a pity some other professions dont seem to get that opportunity.
Another favourite phrase of mine is " I'm afraid you'll have to look elsewhere "@@1sostatic
I feel for you Adam I think the way you have explained your reasons for doing what you have done and the amount of garden they have lost they are being totally unreasonable they have got more than enough garden left to play with .I just hope they don't muck you about paying for the work already done
No issues at all regarding money, mate. They were as good as gold in that regard. Cheers Colin, Merry Christmas mate.
I feel for you mate, I absolutely loath domestic work for this exact reason, I never seem to understand people who hire professionals and don’t listen to what they say. Probably dodged a bullet in the long run if they are willing to make such a fuss over losing a foot of garden for a better job I can only imagine the hassle of building an extension for these complete idiots. There is always a compromise when it comes to building works nothing ever goes exactly to plan you have to make it work and make it right.
it seems like the customer was seeking a way out of contract
I've been bitten by this situation before, got deeper into the job than I should have before I decided enough was enough. Customers who don't understand why some things need to be done a certain way and are insistent on demanding that they're done a different way are also exactly the same sort of customers who will then hold you responsible when the work fails. Lesson learned (it was a painful one and cost me a lot of money! :D )
Alot of people have this opinion because there's more than just a few dodgy 'experts'.
I've just had an 'expert' wire a shower extension. He put in electrical cables that 10 minutes online research shows was wrong. And this is an expert with qualifications. It's embarrassing.
Thanks for such a reasonable and reasoned explanation of what went wrong on this job. We had horrendous issues with a neighbour over boundary issues, when extending our propert, so I can relate to your situation!
Well done for parting company with them. Reading the comments it shows you made the right move, and confirms you are a very creditable builder. 🙌🏻
Shame we can’t see a follow up in a few months time when they are using builder number 4… 😬
I’ve witnessed how you’ve gone that extra mile to ensure a first class job was done. I’m gutted for you guys but good luck and hope they find another quality builder that’s prepared to take this job on. Merry Christmas to you all and time to move on. 🎄🎅🎄🎅🎄
Mike! How are you?! I hope you and the family are well. Have you moved yet? If so I hope it all went well. Thank you as always for your continued support, I hope you and your family have a great Christmas. Thanks again.
😢
Interesting video and appreciate your frustrations. You’ve been honest and open and a far cry from many. Good luck with the next one!
Glad to see some honest builders out there KEEP UP YOUR GOOD WORK
It looks like you had a lucky escape gentleman, it would of only got worse.
At the best, Adam, Rich, Mick and Brad👍
Absolutely it would
I'm one of the 3K new subscribers who started watching because of this build. From the outside, it looks like an epic, technically and logistically challenging. I think you have had a lucky escape and done the right things throughout. Your approach to the retaining wall (and tree) is spot-on from what I can see. I agree the Anderson Shelter gate looked like a bonkers idea. I'm loving your other vlogs, so keep them coming. Happy Xmas and a happy 2024
So
Well done, really interesting video, you dealt with a tricky situation very well, I suppose we're all interested in how the new builder deals with the problems. I hope they have the bravery to do a follow up video. Good luck with your future projects.
You will never regret standing to your guns ( I have run my own small construction company for 40 years ) The customer not understanding good practice Just imagine how the rest of the project would have gone I think you have got out at the right time Well done Keep the high standards up
Love your work, methods, standards and integrity. Look forward to watching what ever you work on next. Always inspirational with great knowledge helping us plan our own extension job. If only you guys worked down in Exeter. Merry Christmas !!!
Unfortunate situation, was looking forward to the series, but never mind. Keep up the good work, I have learnt alot from your videos and can see you do proper work. Looking forward to the next project you will share with us.
Total nightmare mate, I have been there so I know how you feel , I closed my own company down due to issues like this , just wasn’t worth the stress , I work for another builder now but tbh I am wanting to set up again , this puts me off 😂, always do your best and if that’s not good enough well that customer obviously wants the impossible..
My first thought when I started this video was 'sounds like a boundary problem' then you spoke about the issue with boundary re. extension it all makes sense! The British are so boundary conscious - personally I think you've come off the worst end of a neighbourhood dispute. Good luck finding more customers that appreciate your skill level and attention to detail.
Old British. Not new British.
The reason I started following your channel was your videos on making a retaining wall right. Not many would put their hands up and try to resolve an issue like that.
Hence why I then looked back at all your previous videos and subscribed.
If I had the ability to be in a position to have the dream build, I'd be pleading with you to build it. You don't sugar coat or placate the process and the fact that you aren't willing to compromise on quality tells me everything I'd need to know. You care about what is right and what will outlast the previous crud which you have to work with or fix, thats important to someone who understands the levels of grey that exist.
Hopefully it'll be a blessing that you'll get plenty of work because of it, not in spite of it in 2024.
All the best for the festives to you all and looking forward to the continued amazing content in the new year!
That retaining wall video is how I ended up here! Funny RUclips algorithm.
That’s so weird that’s the first video pop up in my recommended too. Kept following as found these guys to be extremely professional and honest.
Same here too, better workmanship you will not find. Hope it all works out for you in 2024.
Thank you, Richard. I really appreciate your comments and kind words. I hope you and your family are all having a great Christmas. Thank you again, take care.
Haha! That algorithm sure does take you to some strange places!!! Thank you for sticking with us, Dan! Merry Christmas.
I've been in the trade for well over 40 years, and as soon as I saw the state of the original house I didn't think it could work or a least not be cost affective.
By what you have posted and of course there are two sides to every story you have done your very best.
love watching your content and will continue to watch I was really looking forward to this series but sure you will continue to put out great stuff.
All the best for 2024 and beyond
There was 3 choices here.
1 build it the way you did.
2. Put the pillars in the inside and have the wall half a metre closer to the boundary.
3. Persuade the neighbour to remove the trees so you can put the wall next to the boundary.
There is no way that a wall will take 2 maturing trees that close. A failure waiting to happen.
Well done mate for your video. Its unusual to find a video like this but its great to see transparency. As a fellow UK builder i know first hand what some of these customers are like. I can imagine that this is alot worse in person with this customer but all the best for this new year
What a tough video to have to make so well done for doing it with such integrity . Onwards and upwards, as much as it hurts at the moment you will look back on this as a valuable learning experience. That job was a cluster fuck from the start but I've no doubt you'd have aced it if you'd been able to persevere. New year new challenges good luck mate.
Well done Adam I admire your honesty, hope 2024 is a great year for you and your team.
With you 100% mate looks like you had a lucky escape from this one makes you think if the customer had the money to pay you in the first place …good luck on your next project ..👍👍
Good luck in the new year matey, hope things pick up for you.
Definitely dodged a bullet there guys, well done for sticking to your principles. Good builders are not easy to find, I wouldn't worry, plenty of work out there.
Sorry you lost the job but I totally agree with what you have said Adam makes total sense and sticking to your principles shows us all what an excellent company your running the workmanship is always top notch, keep up the hard work and I wish you and the lads and family's a merry Christmas and a prosperous New year 👍👍👍
You dodged a bullet here. I wish I could find such a thoughtful practical builder as you.
Great video, reality isn't always a polished grand designs show, I think trades people with high standards and morals are a rare quality nowadays. Well done for sticking by them. Looking forward to your future videos.
Hats off Adam, such a shame, but you’ve done the right thing. You all have my respect as it still stings doesn’t it. I’ve walked away from a good few can you just do this jobs. Sometimes to protect your good name, it’s just not worth touching some things. Once you get that gut feeling, you need to trust it.
Most importantly, Happy Christmas to all 🎄🎄
I think you've done exactly the right thing, this customer seems to be totally unreasonable and uncompromising. If they wont listen to an expert and be lead by common sense then there's no point in continuing. Your integrity is unquestionable and I'm sure there's plenty more work out there for builders like yourselves. Keep up the great work and please keep the videos coming, I personally love them.
I think you did the correct thing for what it's worth. I would put money on it that you've had a lucky escape. You would have got half way through that job and wished you hadn't. Count your blessings and move swiftly on to better things m8. Happy new year 🎉🎉👍
I’m 4 mins in and you’re 100% right! A good contractor will always highlight potential problems to their clients, I know we do. I had the front of a building fall on me a few years ago by listening to a client, thankfully nobody was hurt but since then we’ve questioned and commented on anything and everything that we feel could have a negative impact on the client. Your actions are logical and based from a position of experience, fair play to you!
Hi Adam
From what I’ve seen of you and your videos you’ve always had the customer at the top of your list which is very commendable in this day and age
You are obviously a very talented guy and I wish you luck in the future and I would like to see more videos from you 👍
During our extension build I asked the builder for things that I wanted and he said he could do some but others would have to be because they would be better
He's the expert and did the best he could and we were happy
well done if only there were more builders with the same high standards. To have found another builder and have them on site in 5 days speaks volumes. keep up the good work and the videos. They are great to watch. As has been said already you have dodged a bullet.
THIS is the video of your that RUclips decided to try me with, I'd never watched your channel before, but it looks like this video may bring you more subscribers than the build you were hoping to work on. Anyway, good for you in remaining professional and I hope the year ahead brings you some wonderful surprises.
Good on you Adam. A professional through and through is all I can see from you and your team every time.
It seems like the owners don’t understand building regs and what is needed for safety.
Gutted won’t be seeing this next year but you have done the right thing to cut ties with someone who dosnt want a professional job
Marry Christmas and have a great new year you your wonderful home
Ah mate that's a lovely thing to say. Thank you very much. Merry Christmas to you too mate, take care.
Good morning from the wilds of Andalucía Spain.
I, for my sins, head up a team of architects and technical architects. I have enjoyed watching your vlogs and have formed the opinion that your companies operation is extremely professionaly exemplary and any customer should feel secure in your teams abilities.
In my opinion, the project has been mired by a substandard and wholly unprofessional 'design team,' which would appear to have deceived the client with smoke and mirrors. The Architect appears to be disgracefully unprofessional, and the so-called structural engineer would appear to reside within a fantasy world.
Here, as in the UK, professional and trustworthy building contractors such as yours are as rare as rocking horse poo. Your decision to walk away is, in my view, the totally correct one.
It is my opinion that this particular project, with your departure, is going to descend down a slippery slope into disaster after disaster. It's a big world, and a company such as yours will go from strength to strength. I wish you a happy new year and am looking forward to enjoying many more of your projects.
A professional approach you have shown here . 👍 100% agree with you , keep up your high standards, because the moment you slip the clients take control. 🙌
This is a good learning video for others that might want to see what issues can arise .
I wouldn't worry bout what potential customers think your videos show the high quality work you do and how professional you and the team are .
Merry Christmas
Thank you, Rob. I hope you're right mate. Merry Christmas to you too. Take care.
Your work speaks for its self top rate
Keep up the good work gents, hope you all are enjoying Christmas and have a great new year. Here’s to 2024 I’m sure you won’t be short of work. 👍🏻
Excellent video sir I used to do new builds with my dad and his crew
Trees cause a lot more problems than people think if you get it wrong at a later date some ones indemnity insurance is in trouble
Or the builder gets it in the neck
Very professional stuck to your professional experience ✅✅✅
Well Done for standing firm. Screams quality to me that does. Can tell you operate projects correctly. All the best mate.
Must of been difficult to walk away from that amount of work. Definitely sounds like you made the right decision. If you were having issues at this part of the job I’d dread to think what it would be like further on down the line. Having customers like this is extremely stressful and sometimes not worth it! Hopefully you’ve managed to sort some work to replace the work you’ve lost
I suspect these customers are wealthy and of lets say the "incoming variety" and don't want to listen to those they look down on i.e. tradesmen who actually know what they are doing. They will regret it and you are better off out of it! Merry Christmas to you, your family and your expert fellow tradesmen.
Hi fellas, discovered the channel by accident and followed this particular build from the beginning. So interesting from the start, well presented and humourous a real pleasure to watch. I could not believe how it turned out, I am not remotely qualified to comment on the technical aspects but I completely agree with your principled stand. You made a brave decision to walk away. You have a fan here so I am going back to the start of your channel and will binge watch.....always interesting to see how you all started!
You obviously put in a lot of thought and the craftsmanship is great. I can see how you've got the strength in the corners there and with the water management and taking into account the tree. Very good job. And you were good with the customer too. You will find better work and you'll be glad you got out of this one when you did. Thankfully it didn't turn into a bigger nightmare as dealing with those customers often does.
Well Adam I fully agree with your decision to walk away from this job. You guys do quality work from the videos I’ve seen on here and you’re perfectly correct in relation to the trees, cos if you went any closer to the boundary that trees roots will cause enormous problems in time. My feeling is it’s the customers loss here as they’ve lost a quality building company. Merry Christmas to you and your band of merry men and may 2024 be a good year for you all. 👍🙂
He didn't walk away. He emphasised he didn't walk away.
Sometimes these types of jobs are better to walk away from when neighbour disputes are going on they can go on for years. Blessing in disguise.
Speaking from experience,It's aways better to walk away & keep your reputation & high standards...
I’m sorry to hear this. I’ve had my struggles with builders in the past where they have not informed us of issues or discussed approaches. I would love to have a builder with your integrity.
A builder with principles - how rare! Good to hear you stuck to your guns. probably a lucky escape for you. Lets hope the new builders are as conscientious as you were. Onward and upwards as they say. looking forward to your next big project
You have done the right thing, the customer is always right, until they aren’t!
Merry Christmas to you, the lads your family’s !
Sometimes it’s best to walk away. Projects like this can become increasingly unpleasant and the joy of building something you’ve proud of is lost!
Very true mate. Merry Christmas.
Single skin brick retaining wall , yeah , that'll work fine . Walkway down the side of the house ending in a space 3 inches wide at the corner of the extension...great access and chop half of a wall away from the neighbours shed...sure it won't collapse , hahahahahahaha , some customers are far better left alone. Best of all was NO planning permission for the 1st storey of the extension , great architect . Far better off that you walk away from that job . All the best for a great 2024 .
And I have just subscribed , so you've gained an extra viewer
Cheers John! Hopefully you'll like our other videos and stick around! Take care mate.
What this hinges on is whether you agreed the wall position before starting, not just verbally but in writing.
Personally I would recommend drawing out the garden and putting on the wall position as you proposed to do it.
Avoiding disputes with customers is often rooted in them not feeling they were consulted before. Never assume a verbal agreement is actually an agreement if customers don’t like what’s built it’s surprising how that discussion a few weeks ago becomes as the Queen once said “recollections may vary”
I can see why the customer didn’t like the wall not being parallel to the boundary, although I agree with your assessment, I think if the structural engineer / architect / building inspector were happy with the wall being closer to the trees, you perhaps should have accepted that as an instruction to follow.
Anyway let’s be honest if that wall is being rendered, it’s gonna crack, go green and look sh1t in 5 years time. Why is there this trend for white rendered garden walls, it’s not Spain.
As a non tradesman but someone who successfully built their own extension your comment is exactly what was going through my head.
A retaining wall not being parallel to a boundary will look bad regardless of the reasoning being correct.
It sounds like you built what you knew to be safe which you should be applauded for however it meant design principles were compromised.
The architect and structural engineer should have accounted for this and come up with solutions that didn’t mean the client ended up with something that is poor visually and you didn’t have to build in an unsafe manner. I blame them!
I quite like the look of monocute.
But ive seen how often it goes bad. Dripping overflow pipes running a huge damp streak. A drill bit gone through and a massive chunk of it flies off never to be blended in right by a repair becase the colour is changing with age.
Looks great for 5 years and i hear its got a 20-25 year lifespan.
I believe you are lucky to be out of it. Always going to be a wrong 'un, the customer and new "builder" will now get the hassle you won't. 👍🎄
Well, a bit disappointed that we won't see the footage of completion, but, gotta say you are 100% correct with what you're doing. Having watched your previous videos I can see that your work cuts no corners (apart from that bloody sink😅) and you go over and above with your projects. Their loss not yours. Merry Christmas by the way...
I feel for you guys!! Sounds like you are best off out of it!
Totally agree with you mate sounds like you had a lucky escape. You can't please some people , no matter how hard you try
Well I would absolutely take a builders advice as I know very little about best building practice. But I think you done the right thing, better to keep your reputation. And I'm sure you'll still get plenty of jobs just by ppl knowing you won't compromise. Merry Xmas to all the team. I'm staying subscribed. See you in 2024
I’ve got a lovely house back brick and up to wallplate in Stourbridge if you fella’s want a something meaningful to go at in the new year. Been done as a drop on / off project for my lads up until now. Needs new roof on extension & full re-roof, full internals doing etc. Appreciate RUclips isn’t the place for this but wanted to send a quick message as I’m guessing you’re not checking emails on Christmas Day. Hope you’re having a great Christmas. 🎄
I can tell the way you talk that you take pride in what you do, don’t worry because you will find that somebody who is conscientious like yourself will always find work, I always found that one door closes a far better one opens, I which you well with all that you do 👍
Good on you for standing your ground. Sometimes that is how it stands, you got to do what makes sense to you because your reputation has to stand
100% agree with you Adam handled it top class as you lads always done seems especially strange from the customer point of view after you did a stunning job on the garden room!
Wow wow wow. Firstly I love your video,s and you come across as a top bloke and top builder. I think the incident with that wall that crumbled proved that. You did not run and hide. Although there are 2 sides to this I am 100% happy with your explanation. They just wanted you out. You should get a drone to see what happens to the walls to see if they are rebuilt. You may have had a lucky escape. I am sure you will back fill the missing work in your diary. Good builders are hard to find and you are definetly a good builder. I do not wish harm on anyone. I am sure the walls won’t be knocked down. The new builder is brave to take this on. I’m sure your 2024 will be a good one despite this set back. Turn it around and call it a lucky escape.
Love how composed you are as it must have been hugly frustrating. Well done.
Oh it was mate, for many weeks! Thankfully we're out of it now, though. Cheers mate.
This is the first video I’ve seen, and you sound like a genuine guy, sorry you lost the job but I hope you didn’t lose to much. Will be following you from now on. Good luck for 2024.
Thank you, John! Hopefully you'll like what you see and stick around! Cheers mate, take care.
Same from me … seems like you had a lucky escape mate
I have to agree the wall is in the wrong place for me, but it was a case of needs be, what might have been a idea from the start, if both neighbours had discussed the removal of the two trees and maybe the retaining wall could have served both neighbours with a replacement fence built on top, everyone would be happy, two new trees could have been planted in better location, I think this whole situation could have been sorted with a bit better communication and discussion, keep building guys 👍👍
The trees were not impressive examples, but they are the neighbours, and prior to the development there was no issues with a few of their roots straying into this garden. There was no reason for the neighbour to agree to get rid of the trees, but a cooperative neighbour would have done so to make the build easier.
Even if they agreed judging by the way the customer acted I can’t imagine they would be happy paying a couple of grand for them to be removed, you have to work with what you have. Inability to see reason and compromise accordingly is the exact definition of a nightmare customer. In the grand scheme of things once the job is finished would you even notice?
@@tlangdon12I can't imagine being so entitled that I would expect my neighbour to destroy anything on their property so I could move a wall a couple of foot closer to the boundary
@@anthonynash6835exactly
@@tlangdon12 It should be a law against having trees so close to a border. But as. British people worship trees more than anything it’s usually impossible to do anything about the problem with trees that are in the wrong place. This trees are ugly anyway.
Crazy to think that they have managed to find another builder and get them on site within 5 days? Are good builders really available for a job of that size at such short notice, I very much doubt it?
All the best Adam to you and your team for 2024 and I look forward to more of your great videos in the new year!👍
Yes, something weird going on there. We're the opposite. There is no possibility of getting any builder to do work round these parts. And I mean, it's literally impossible to get multiple quotes to compare against. The closest you get is 'Oooh, come back to us in 18 months', and when you do they're no closer. Last job (would have been £100k) I called 31 builders, 15 turned up, two quoted, one of those was half mad. And that's what we get.
Yep will be cowboys. They are going to regret it
@@Ardwick-Crome company's are crying out for work at the minute
@@hod2116 Not here. The population tends to be rich and retired, so the builders can con huge amounts of money from them. When they turn up and see I'm not old and not rich they're not interested.
Sounds like there was a side deal with the customer another builder , and some of the problems could have been created to make the builder leave .
a case of others thinking they know best - i admire that you knowing what was right and walked away with a clear conscience - top man
Always enjoy your vids Adam and on the evidence of this one, speaking as a 66 year old bricky, you really are better off away from the place. The work you've done looks all correct and you and your team have left the place looking spotless. I hope you have not taken a financial hit on this one and wasn't the client ever so lucky to get another builder in at such short notice!? God help the next bunch of guys who take that job on, good luck for 2024.
To be fair guys, I think it's a blessing in disguise, because instead of possibly spending 18-24 months(if things go bad) on one job, you could do i don't know, multiple floor rebuilding jobs like Richard, or many extensions,etc. In a nutshell it's a blessing in disguise because you guys could do multiple projects in the period of time you'd spend on this one project. Plus, you guys would most likely end up with fatter pockets.Merry Christmas and I sincerely hope that 2024 is the biggest year for the channel yet! #getMrABuildersto100k
Cheers!
There's non-zero chance there will be a silver lining to 'losing' that job tbh. Sure more than a few of us have lost out on a job, only for months or a year later to get a call out of the blue explaining how xyz has gone wrong paired with the classic "oh and can you come and take a look". Keep your head up and best wishes to you and the team 👌
You are absolutely right ,been in exactly the same boat you can only do what is possible. Just hope they don’t get someone that does it all wrong.