So today was one of those days you want to forget. Started off a nice simple job, just move a double socket 150mm to the left so I can fit a built in wardrobe - 4 hours ! Usual thing checked the run of the cables, put the electric off. marked up the new opening, stitch drilled round the perimeter. Happily, tapping the centre out with scutching chisel, head falls off the hammer off I went to get another one. Wouldn't mind, but it wasn't even lose.. Once I got the plaster off, it reveal stone not brick, so start chipping away. Phone rings - PPI call picked the hammer up and knocked the chisel in to the gap between the floor boards and the wall. Off to get another one Then discovered that some Muppet had not only screwed the box in, but set in cement, not only around the sides but behind and through the knock out holes and over the cables. And every 20 mins phone rings ppi/accident claims and wife. Then had to clean up and make good the destruction and didn't even get to fit the wardrobe
It's the same with plumbing & drainage, starts off a simple job, & gradually it expands to a major job. A simple job here started off replastering wall by back door, removing plaster, I found 4x2 used as bricks, so ended up rebuilding doorway, as I removed move plaster found lintel had been patched with filler, so a new lintel had to be fitted, ended up 3 days work instead of a half day.
Must admit most of it was own goals but the faff getting that back box, even flattening the thing -grrr
Most of the time it is battling with the bodge that other people had done previously and rubbishy materials
Once a bodge always a bodge. Most of the time you end up having to rip out everything and start again.
On this job, I had to replace the window because it wasn't screwed in properly. It had gaps so big down the side I could put my fist in.
Things can snowball, I almost became religious and started believing in curses. In the final moments before leaving a home we spent three weeks working in. Fuse blows, water pipe blows, macerator blocks and finally the car battery was dead. Four things on the trot and I was on my own. Super stressful, breakdown material. Unbelievable.