I had a plasterer come the other day to plasterer my back bedroom now I am having problems as he walked out on the job when he returned the next day because I asked him to take his shoes off when going up stairs. I am not normally a person to be so picky but on the first day the plasterer and his dad turned up to my house they were walking grass cuttings and mud in to my house. I didn't say anything at first I just got the hoover out and hoovered up in the hope that they would get the hint. I guess he sort of did as he took a pair of my curtains and put them at the top of the landing without asking. I won't lie I was angry at this point as I felt it was a complete disrespect for me and my property, I didn't say anything at the time as I didn't want to get in to an arguement (I have had a lot of work done in my house and always had trades people put sheets down off their own back or not had a problem taking their shoes off when going upstairs ) so the next day when they turned up I asked nicely for them to take their shoes off as they left a mess the day before which took a while to clean up, I was met with the response of well in all fairness darl your bedroom was a mess. This got my back up and I said I am not going to argue with you and walked in to my kitchen. The plasterer then followed me with the response of pay me for what I have done and I will go, so I responded with so you are not going to finish the job then. He didn't say anything just walked off. I went to phone my friend and when I came back he had gone, didn't say anything to me just left my property. Later that day he messaged me to see when I was going to pay him. I responded with the fact that I need to find another plasterer and see how much it is now going to cost me to have the room finished, I also need my carpet cleaned because of the mud they dragged thru my house, they got plaster on the hallway wall (not sure how they managed that) so I said once I know how much I am going to need to pay a new plasterer then we can discuss me paying him. I was met with a not very nice response of he knew that I was not going to pay and that is why he walked out well previously he said he walked out because of how I spoke to him. He then proceeds on with numerous other messages about coming back to finish the job and then he sends a message about taking me out to a restaurant (all of which I do not find professional) after I responded to him about how he left my property he then said he is going to pass my debt on. I have never not paid a trades person and want to come to a resolution but I will not be threatened by someone with a debt collector. I guess my question is how can he pass the debt on and what do I do. I don't want to be over paying and I have offered a solution which he doesn't seem happy with.
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Totally shocking behaviour and so unprofessional and you are very much in the right.. If he was on a price for the job he lost the right to be paid when he walked off the job. I wouldnt expect to get paid if i walked of a job and didnt finish the work. He wont get bailiffs as it would prob cost more than what he thinks he is owed. Dont pay and find a professional plasterer who has respect for the customer. Hope all goes well.
I feel reading this question the trades person in question is totally in the wrong. The old saying the customer is always right. In this case it is. When working at a customers house you have to be responsible and respective of there wishes. As this is her property and and already had to clean up their mess the day before she is well within her right to ask them to remove shoes. I would not pay them until for work completed until cleaning bills and work is completed by another trade. I would not recommend this plasterer.
He should of put dust sheets down or a carpet protector which is easely put down as most trades do..I would get the job completed, then work out a payment with your first plasterer..as 2 men did do a days work at your property..I dont think it would be fair to charge them for the cleaning of your carpet as it should of been acted upon straight away by yourself.. just pay them a percentage of the original quote leaving yourself in hand to get someone else.
I’m not sure about the legalities of passing debts over however they really should have put dust sheets down at the very least. They are sounding extremely unprofessional from the get go.
If I were in your position I’d find out the general day rate of your local plasters and offer them that and nothing more. Rather than making them pay for the cleaning a negative review on their website or what ever method they use to advertise would be far more damaging.
As for the asking you out for dinner could be construed as sexual harassment. Although that is in the very extreme case.
Just be sure to save all of the correspondence should he decide to make issues.
You could easily end up in court over unpaid work.
Unless you have t&c agreed about what will won’t be done etc you’re at risk.
Putting a curtain down on stairs creates a trip hazard and he could sue. As the home owner you are responsible for creating a safe working environment/risk assessment (this can get very tricky legally very quickly) From the sound of it he’s already created an audit trail by asking when he’s going to get paid.
If he’s done a full days work I’d recommend pay him and move on.
Pay a fair days pay for fair days work, sadly a lot of people want to pay Mickey Mouse rates
Answered15 February 2021
2
Anonymous user
Sorry to hear about your bad experience . Don’t pay , as work not complete and he walked off the job ! Unprofessional ( obviously never heard of a staircase dust sheet ! ) He won’t pass the debt on as this would most certainly put him out of pocket . Bill him for carpet cleaning that’s a must ! Get another plasterer and make him pay the costs . Very unprofessional and quite shocking behaviour from a so called tradesman. Hoping you resolve the issue .
Best of luck
Tony
Like most are thinking here is having respect of other people and their property its one of the 1st things you do or learn as an apprentice to observe the area your working and put dust sheets or roll n stroll down on carpets ,flooring ,wherever your walking to do the job ,,clearly this chap hasn't had the best starts .I agree you can't be paying for half a job and unfortunately it's sour grapes for the so called tradesman who should have known better .hope you get your job finished properly
