What's the best way to get a carpenter moving on your project?

13 years ago

I think I've hired the slowest carpenter around! Friends who recommended him did say he was slow, but very honest and does good work. I have found all three to be true. The problem is he needs to get things done before the granite goes in next week and he's moving at a snails pace. I've already talked to him once about a day he didn't seem to accomplish much and he said he wasn't going to charge me. I'm paying by the hour! I know that's not a good idea, but both sets of friends that recommended him felt he kept good records. DH is moving into the "I told you so" phase. My aunt arrives on the 16th and DS has his first visit home from college over Halloween. I want to be able to cook for them! This microwave & take out gets old very fast!

I know this is common. How have you dealt with it and gotten results? Thanks! Kay

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Comments (9)

chrisa62401
13 years ago
We had one like that, I fired him.
allie22031
13 years ago
I have found the granite delivery is a powerful motivator. Especially if he has to pay the rescheduling fee for not being done. After that I just kept calling my guy. Of course his issue was not being slow, but being on the job at all.
Good Luck,
Allie
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chrisa62401
13 years ago
We had one like that, I fired him.
advertguy2
13 years ago
I'm with allie on this one. Tell him he'll have to pay the rescheduling fees etc...

chrisa had one like that and fired him.
steff_1
13 years ago
It seems you were advised going into this project that he was slow and chose to work with him even though you had a firm deadline.

From your post it's not clear if he signed up to the schedule so not sure if you can impose a penalty. Most places will reschedule granite if you call early enough. At this point you're probably not going to be able to push him much faster even if you try to impose a penalty. You do need to talk to him and see if he really is going to make the granite deadline so you can prepare.
User
13 years ago
In your situation, there is very little to motivate timeliness. Not to slam you, but I would never agree to a job by the hour for any contracting. There is little motivation to get things done. And, I would structure the job so that I had a hefty holdback that he could only get when the job was done and the punch list completed. If a speedy job was important to you, then negotiating an early completion bonus might have worked in the beginning. You could always try that tactic now. However, unless it's written in a contract, there is no way you can stick him with any rescheduling fees for other trades.

You went into this fully informed and you got exactly the guy that his references promised. There is very little you can do at this point except be patient and focus on the quality of the job you're getting. Doing anything else will set you up for much frustration.

Or, you can part ways and seek someone else who's quality level isn't as high, but might be faster.
Circus Peanut
13 years ago
lol advertguy!

Kayl, I agree that the best approach will probably be to sit him down with a notepad and say: OK, the granite is being installed on X date. What's your plan to get your work fully completed by then? If you can't complete everything, what parts of the construction can we prioritize so that the installation is still possible on that date?

If he's a truly honest but slow guy, the concept of your paying a fine for his delay will shame and motivate him. If he's a not so nice or honest guy, you can try the route of sticking him with the delay charges.

Hang tight! Best of luck.
woodworkguy
13 years ago
Well you hired him by the hour.
So if you fire him or he quits..hes even at that point and your not done.
Ive always worked from a bid so when things take longer to get them right..its a bonus to the customer and when they go quickly I get rewarded.
If I hire a painter to paint my house and he wants to spend an extra couple days to get the prep right because he takes pride in his work even though he wont make as much..I feel like Ive got the right guy and never understand when people complain about such. Of course some jobs are " time is the essence of the contract" and deadlines are more critical even if it means corners are cut and things are rushed. Id prefer the later.

Just ask him what he has to do before the granite can go in and if he can make that happen faster. If hes good..hes probably frustrated himself...he lives for the next recommendation and wants a happy customer. If not hes the wrong guy.
Sharon kilber
13 years ago
Maybe he is thinking about that boat, he can buy if he works slow enough Lol.

What's the best way to get a carpenter moving on your project?

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