Late-night working subs - am I being unreasonable?

13 years ago

Our remodel is going really well so far (knock on wood). We just finished week 2 and they are now taping/getting ready to paint. Cabinets arrive next week. I love my GC. But here's the issue. He has a sub doing the taping/mudding/sanding. The first day of taping, he showed up at 4:30, which I thought was odd - and then he worked until after 9pm! We have 2 young children who go to sleep at 7. We asked him to try to keep the noise down the first night, but it was quite loud (kids' rooms are just above the construction- they couldn't sleep, next day was miserable). We held our tongue. Last night, he didn't even show up until 6:30. He said round 2 wouldn't take as long, but by 8:30, with 2 crying kids and him still going strong, we asked him to call it quits. He didn't seem happy to have to stop mid-way. I sent an email to the GC (a nice one, just letting him know) but haven't heard back. Now I'm freaking out that the taper will be passive/aggressive and do a bad job, do something to the house while we aren't here, etc. Was I wrong to send him home? Should I just chill out? Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.

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Comments (10)

brickeyee
13 years ago
Sounds like he may be working a day job and then your job.
dianalo
13 years ago
Can the kids go to bed in your bed and you transfer them when he leaves? Maybe let them sleep in sleeping bags on your floor or on their mattresses in your room. Mine would think that is wonderfully cool.
I'd invest in a sound machine or 2 for their rooms. I love mine and think that would help them sleep with any kind of noise, either during or after the remodel.
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steff_1
13 years ago
It's good to try to work it out with them, especially if they are good. They should have let you know in advance though because it's unexpected.

Did the GC get your agreement in advance for the work hours? Usually a contract will state "work hours are...." and then you need to approve anything else.
morgne
13 years ago
I understand that this is really a big PIA... but on the other hand it's hard to be too unhappy with a drywall guy who's willing to show up and work for 5 straight hours several days in a row.

It is totally, totally unacceptable... and I would accept it and thank my stars that the guy is showing up and doing good work. Not because it's RIGHT just because it's possibly the lesser of all evils.

On a side note, what is a drywall mudding/taping/sanding guy doing that is making so much noise??? It would be unusual for them to be using any power tools.
kitchenkrazed09
13 years ago
I don't think you are being unreasonable at all. You weren't consulted about this ahead of time and those are really unusual hours, especially with two young children. If the taper is willing to work off hours, and assuming he can't get to you any earlier in the day, would he be willing to work during the day on the weekend?

We just had our kitchen taped and spackled and they were very noisy clomping around with stilts and running huge fans. If it's any consolation, our first day was the longest (5 hours) and they finished the second day after 4 hours.
User
13 years ago
My contract says the job site hours are 8 to 5, Monday through Friday. My lead carpenter prefers to work through lunch and leave early, so my house has often been quiet by 4 or 4:30.

I did let the electrician stay late one night. He was there til 7:30. He fell behind, and the inspector was already scheduled for the next day, and we all wanted to stay on schedule with that.

And, the tile person will grout today, a Saturday. It was scheduled for yesterday, but the tile stuff didn't set quite enough, probably due to high humidity here. But, both of these required my permission.
Sharon kilber
13 years ago
Unless the GC, made arrangements, ahead of time with you, and you, said it would be fine. This is not right that you, should have to change your way of life or move your, children, to another room. Tell the GC, you, will not put up with this. And to do the work, at a reasonable hour. They are crossing the line.
sammiecanada
13 years ago
I would not accept that especially if I had children that needed to sleep. If the GC had asked your permission, that would be different. Today, Saturday, we actually have the drywaller in but that worked out just fine with us.
smbh
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks everyone. I spoke to the GC and he totally understood- I'm not sure he even knew the sub was working so late. The guy came back today and finished round 2, which was great. (by the way our written contract doesn't say anything about hours but our GC had said they generally work until 4 on weekdays). I really appreciate everyone's feedback. I'm looking forward to postingbpics SOON!
steff_1
13 years ago
So glad this worked out for you and we love pictures so we look forward to seeing them too.

Late-night working subs - am I being unreasonable?

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Late-night working subs - am I being unreasonable?

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