Boat Repairs: A Dilemma...

langstonelayabout

langstonelayabout

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Just over a year ago I contracted a reputable local boat builder to do a hull repair to my 23' cruiser. I was a month late making it available for him but then he's taken over a year to do about half the repair and then she still isn't ready to have her keels put back on, let alone the re-glassing of some of the internal furniture.

Admittedly I didn't chase him very hard during the summer (it stayed ashore this summer) but apart from around 10 telephone calls from me chasing progress, he's completed a number of similar jobs on boats laid up within 50 metres...

I last spoke to him about 2 months ago. He promised some more work to be completed but nothing has been done. I'm now in a position where I get no response from him and none of my calls or voicemails are answered.

I want to get the job finished by next spring. How should I reasonable 'exhaust' chasing him to either get it finished or so that I can declare a frustration of performance and engage another boatbuilder to finish the job?

Your thoughts please?

Many thanks
 
If this is the outfit at a nearby marina I'd be surprised and saddened; he did a good job on ' Blue Arco ' but of course no-one has a clue what goes on in somebody's life.

I must say a return to phone calls with an explanation would be the simplest courtesy one can reasonably expect.

I was walking around the club with ' Zagato ' of these forums just the other day and was surprised your boat isn't fixed yet, though the keel bases seem to have been done ?

Like me I suspect even with your keels on we'll have our work cut out to get the refits done, seeing as launch is before Easter and the weather is often horizontal Warp 9 blizzards from Christmas to Easter !

Good luck A, you deserve some by now...

Andy
 
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Seajet said:
I must say a return to phone calls with an explanation would be the simplest courtesy one can reasonably expect.
Click to expand...

This.

Have you paid him yet? I have found over the years that paying people up front can bring the worst out. My other half paid a roofer before he finished the job. Of course he pi**ed off after that, and would just cut phone calls off etc.

Regards

Carl
 
carl170 said:
This.

Have you paid him yet? I have found over the years that paying people up front can bring the worst out. My other half paid a roofer before he finished the job. Of course he pi**ed off after that, and would just cut phone calls off etc.

Regards

Carl
Click to expand...

Nope; not parted with a penny yet. When I've spoken to the boatbuilder in the past I've always mentioned "lets get the repair finished so I can give you some money"...
 
Hmmm.

It sounds like maybe he just has too much work on then, and maybe he should not have taken your job on?

We had a joiner who made us the most amazing built in wardrobes - He had previously worked on a suite that was something to do with Queen Victoria.

When we moved, we asked if he could refit them. He turned up on the first day (and fitted the frames), and then never showed up after that. We had to employ someone else to finish them off!

Is there no way you can just see the guy in person? Maybe someone could tip you off?

I don't know why people can't be up front? I could not be bothered to put so much effort into avoinding someone.

Let us know how it turns out.

Regards

Carl
 
I have just had to beard such a person in his den..
14 months ago he collected an antique double drop arm chesterfield sofa from our house for re-springing and re-upholstering.
Despite many visits to his premises-where he and his staff are all busy-and loads of promises, it was untouched after a year.
I issued a verbal " If you dont do it soon I'll fetch it away. " which got the base resprung.
It stayed like that for nearly two months-excuse after excuse- flu, staff holiday, in hospital for a week etc.
These were all bolleux as my mate uses the next door car repair shop and looked in several times-including the hospital stay where the guy was there, not in the hospital.
Two weeks ago I steamed in with my mate Ivor-ex county prop-and opened the roller shutter doors and loaded it into my van.
I offered to pay for work done so far, and to take and pay for the material.
He said he did not know where the material was, and offered no comment re paying for work done so far. I suspect the embarasment factor kicked in.
It is now with one of Ivors mates and is progressing nicely.

Not so easy to move a boat though...................................................
 
All this emphasises the need for a written contract for all but the simplest work. Price and delivery period need to be specified so that both parties are clear. It doesn't have to be complicated.
 
ghostlymoron said:
All this emphasises the need for a written contract for all but the simplest work. Price and delivery period need to be specified so that both parties are clear. It doesn't have to be complicated.
Click to expand...

Having learnt the hard way, I totally agree with the above. Waiting over 5 months for an outboard to be repaired and sprayed (new parts fitted in different colour). Outboard was repaired and serviced within two weeks, but the respray has been a nightmare. Still not finished. Haven't yet paid a penny, but he still cannot tell me when it will be finished.

New Years Boating Resolution - Get an agreement in writing for any future work
 
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