Mixed views I guess. Yes there are some bad 'uns. But there are some crackers as well. To name but one I would recommend anyone around Manchester to try Martin Hall. Singer, songwriter, multi-instramentalist and builder extrodinaire! Not the cheapest but certainly the best I have come across. If it is something he doesn't do he sub-contracts and the people he gets in for that have all been good as well:-) So, no, British workmen are not crap and to brand all of them the same because you have picked a couple of bad ones is very unfair!

As to 'checking things out' before people leave. I sometimes do hardware and software repairs (when I can't avoid it!) If I replace a stick of memory and the hard disk fails after I leave am I responsible? If I am asked to install Unix on a new server and it then will not run Ingress is that my problem? While I have every sympathy with Nutty and her predicament I would always recommend that the scope of work should be a possitive result rather than a specific job. If the plumber had agreed to 'get the cetral heating and water working properly' then yes, he must come back. If however his brief was to replace the boiler then surely he has competed his contractual obligation?

It's the same in a shop. If you ask your local DIY store for adhesive to stick wood to metal and what they sell you doesn't do the job you have every right to take it back as not fit for the purpose. If however you ask specificaly for a tube of evo stick and it doesn't work then you have no comeback.

Hopefuly your guy will come back, in which case will you retract your opening statement, Nutty? ;-)

Cheers

DtG