Do we regret hiring a professional to upgrade our narrowboat? - 107
Вставка
- Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
- We aren't the best at DIY, but we give pretty much everything a go, but this time we thought we'd treat ourselves to some professional handiwork for a few upgrades in our narrowboat home. However, the as the results aren't quite what we expected, we're left wondering... should we have just done it ourselves? 🛠️😟
💕 Thanks for checking out our video, please like and subscribe for weekly vlogs! We love your comments and read every single one.
🍟 Want to join the Chip Pals? Sign up to our Patreon now for exclusive behind-the-scenes content! / boattime
📸 Follow us on Instagram: / boattimeuk
📘 Follow us on Facebook: / boattimeuk
🎼 Follow us on TikTok: / boattimeuk
🐤 Follow us on Twitter: / boattimeuk
To support the channel further you can buy us a bag of chips 🍟💕www.buymeacoff...
🎵 Music by EpidemicSound: share.epidemic...
* We earn a small commission through each sale of this item at no extra cost to you!
#narrowboat #narrowboatlife #narrowboats #travel #travelvlog #boatlife #boatlifestyle #diy
I think that you guys are being way too nice. If it doesn’t meet your requirements or standards then don’t pay until it’s rectified. The only unreasonable expectation was the tradesman’s.
I agree 💯 .
If his profession is a carpenter then the bottom drawer should not have been to low that it’s scraping off the floor, agree that is not the stuff that is used for radiator covers and ridiculous to use dowels that will break because they are too tight 😮
I agree with above, as you asked for bespoke stuff for a boat, not a flat or house, so if he knew this before he came, then he should have made something that at least is robust and works. It all seemed a bit flimsy and will not last you very long, i mean dowels that need pulling in and out and no leg on your desk, then the drawers that open when the boat rocks . I take it he wasn't a canal carpenter then.!!!!
Your expectations were NOT too high! A professional carpenter would have done a far better job and you would have got exactly what you wanted. If you at all can, get yourselves a proper carpenter. You will have to wait because a carpenter worth his salt, will have plenty of work and will have to fit you in. I’m really sorry, but I feel the guy you used, saw you coming unfortunately.
Thank you! That’s really reassuring. Unfortunately we already paid immediately after the install before realising the full extent of the issues! But we live and learn and next time we will make sure to be firmer and withhold final payment until we are definitely happy!
You guys are spot on. You hired a professional to do the jobs you needed and they did not deliver. They do look good. But common sense on the stuff they did is questionable. Thank you again for another awesome journey. 🥰🥰🥰🥰
It’s not fine. There are far to many issues with the builds. Solve by telling him you are UA-camrs and want to promote his work but can’t with the faults. ❤
Hi guys ref your ram with the wood Dow if you rub a bit of candle wax on it it will help it slide in and out easily 😊
You live and learn, guys, but saying that, the person who carried out the work should give their head a wobble. That workmanship is shocking. The screw poking through the wardrobe is surely a joke?? I genuinely feel for the both of ya!!.
Normal practice is to hold back 20 to 25 percent of the money for any job until after what is called snagging ( finishing touches) are done. If you can not get the original worker/s to finish the job to your satisfaction, you have some of the original budget to get someone else to finish the job without it costing more. PS just a thought, if I were you, I would put a name to the person who did the work, and that should put them " on blast." Love your vids 😊
worked in the building game all my life and i would be offended if any of my clients held back money. When the job is finished its finished. But then i would not do a job of that quality! many people claiming to be pros especially around boats are far from it!
@Mark Jewell I'm sure you do a great job . It's never intended as a personal issue, and if your reputation and work are known to be of a high enough standard that your customers feel confident enough to pay you up front , I applaud you sir. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Ps you are correct, when a job is finished it is indeed finished. The last thing you do is snagging and your customers inspect the job before making final payments usually.
I think l would replace the wooden dowels with a steel rod with s loop on the end .The radiator worktop needs to be slightly sloping so chop a bit off the strut and add a drop leg .And the draws-those catches that you screw on and turn at right angles .Best of luck 👍
Yes, I was going to suggest the metal rods for the ramp.
I was also going to suggest rods, long camping pegs would work in metal. Try and remove that screw it is dangerous. Love the blogs xx
Well look at the positive, that bottom drawer won't slide open like the rest 😂
😂 always a silver lining.
This made us chuckle thank you haha
I don’t have a clue how to solve the issues. But that is truly shoddy workmanship. So sorry you were taken advantage of and blown off by him with your concerns. 😞
🤗😊 Kathy
i wouldnt have paid for that work. you guys are being too nice
Don’t let him pull your pants down. You’ve raised legitimate issues that any tradesman worth his salt would address straightaway. Before it skips my mind, the radiator cover will need some vents on the top or the wood will bow . Secondly, the issues with the bottom drawer catching , get some feet for the base , you can buy some that are just pins. With bunnies ramps, remove the dowels completely and replace with metal pins and cups.
Expectations too high? I'd be ashamed if that was my work, and I'd be quick to rectify it. The bottom drawer isn't functional on your bespoke drawers, functionality is a reasonable expectation, surely? They have also drilled through the wood panel there. I can't imagine they haven't seen that they have done this. It's sloppy and presents a real danger. The radiator cover looks cheap and I wouldnt trust a book on it nevermind a laptop. I certainly wouldn't be happy, Amy and Wes. This is your home, it needs to be functional and safe for daily use. The carpenter would never stand for this same quality delivered to them so why should you? You are both far too nice! ❤
liked your comment if it was my boat the so called carpenter would have been going for a swim
I think the carpenter may be better at building hutches than chest of drawers. The bottom drawer, does not open properly, so he clearly hasn't built that right. Drawers should not fly open so he had not done that right. The trellis on radiator looks cheap and is not a radiator cover but a piece of trellis. And the table to work on is not sturdy, so yes you have a right to complain and request the problems fixed. Dupes ramp looks fine. You both never complain, this time you definately should as its shoddy work. ❤
Nice video 😊 sorry you are disappointed with your woodworking 😊I would ask the carpenter to come back and rectify the problems
Sorry to see that the work you had done was obviously carried out by a keen amateur.
Love watching your vlogs. Im sure that with a bit of work that shoddy " craftmanship" work can be rectified.
Its a shame that you will have paid good money for substandard work.
Especially when it could have been spent on chips.
If you dont get a satisfactory resolution, then name and shame.
Take it steady xx
The trouble always is unless you are supervising all the time you never get what you want.
Leaving a space behind the drawers will help prevent the contents getting damp. It looks like the back of the wardrobe is stained and condensation is always a problem in boats
I think boxing in the radiator is a bad idea as the heat just doesn't get out , and the wood will eventually warp , still , love your adventures and your positive outlook , stay safe
"Your expectations were too high" is a strange way to react to customer complaints. It's like saying, "You thought I would do a good job, but actually, I suck! And it's your fault for not having seen that coming." Which would have been fair with some cheap, mass-produced product, but certainly not with custom work. The whole point of custom-made products is that they work for you, specifically, and if they don't, then that means the job was not done well.
A couple of things you could do: for the drawers, there are some thin magnets that are usually used to hold screen doors and mosquito nets in place - they're not very strong, so it won't take effort to open the drawers, but they should be strong enough to hold them in place.
For the radiator box, you could use a corner protector - either a commercially made one, or make one yourself out of some foam or rubber pieces. Or just straight-up sand the corner down. That probably wouldn't look as good, but that's a very permanent solution.
For the ramp, maybe some metal dowels, with a ring on the end? That would probably be kind of expensive though, since you might have to have them custom made. Which just proves again that that carpenter didn't do a good enough job if you have to fix it by having other custom things made after the fact.
Hi there🤗, I am binge watching your videos in order to catch up and I do remember seeing a shiny anchor
We thought we had one too haha!
Wes is the king of efficiency :D
No way was that a carpenter that did that work. Diabolical job .
Shame you found someone who’s obviously in the wrong trade ( should be an MP ) chin up the worlds full of lovely people like yourselves. 😊
Haha! True! Thank you Neil 😊
Professional sometimes seems like a rather questionable phrase. It’s like calling the kid that rakes leaves a professional because you pay them.
Sorry it worked out like this, I would have loved to have done the job properly for you. Not done boat work for 5/6 years now but I loved it. Interesting work and nice people
The person you hired to do the work can definitely not label themselves as a "carpenter". I think it's terrible that they would leave you unhappy, take your money and then tell you your expectations are too high!
Love the channel btw 😊
Thank you for the reassurance! And for the kind words! 🥰
The quality of that workmanship is terrible! I hope it wasn’t too expensive.
Use Half turn button latches (eBay is cheap) on the left side carcass to fix the draw issues. Just make sure to do a small pilot hole first as you don’t want to split the wood.
Also they do telescopic folding table legs for camper vans so could use those to solve the sagging table.
I think you both were being completely reasonable!!! It’s your home at the end of the day and you want it to be perfect🫶🏼 also he should of 100% of fixed that nail he put though your wardrobe as it’s a Hazard
I felt sad to see you’d experienced this lack of professionalism. But lessons learnt: go with referrals and view the work they’ve done for others before committing, only pay when the job’s completed and you’re happy with the end product, if you have multiple projects test them out on small tasks first before committing to more, I’d probably also check in with them whilst they were doing it to make sure it’s ‘on brief’…. This way you should be covered 😊
I think you need to be very specific with anything bespoke, so the tradesman knows your expectations. Of course, cost is a factor too. If he did all this for £50, no problem!
We hope you get it all sorted out to how you want it. You need to get the company back. It’s so unfair when you don’t get what you want. Hope you get sorted x
He's played on your placid nature and taken advantage of you.
Yes, some things could be rectified but that's not the point.
Lessons learnt and move forwards ❤❤
Hold your drawers in place with small flat magnets
Don’t think they’d be strong enough!
For the radiator cover, remove it from wall, measure width of skirting board and cut excess wood off back, then it will fit flush with skirting board. "Job done!"
For ramp, use a steel rod, drill 2 holes opposite each other in top sides of rod attach a metal ring and hey-presto!
😂😂😂 “It could have been worse, but it definitely could have been better”
Thats one way to put it 😂😂
Try some candle wax on the dowels. Rub a candle on the dowels the wax will help them run smoothly in and out. Also try it on the underneath of that bottom draw that catches on the floor. The radiator screen, pop down to your nearest diy store they sell loads of different designs and materials for radiator screens and not expensive. Try a bungee cord on the front if the draws with 2 hooks when your moving to stop the draws sliding open.
Im rewatching and the fella was a cowboy. 😢
Use knitting / crochet needles instead of dowel…and magnetic catches for the drawers
Ooh that could be a good temporary fix for now thank you!
all they had to do was scribe the back of the units put adjustable legs scribe the skirtings and fit soft draw and door closers ,, hay we live and learn love your videos and keep them coming sam
If you do this again, hire a chippy with boat or other small places experience. The screw aiming to your feet is ouchy!! x
He lives on a boat and is a boat carpenter 🥲 haha!
I’m thinking you should of contacted the carpenter to let him know things weren’t working properly. If you didn’t get the issues resolved then I would share on your channel. And you definitely have the right to expect the individual to fix the issues.
We had already messaged and no longer getting replies which is why we decided to draw a line under and post the video unfortunately! 😞 thank you for watching!
Bottom drawer great it doesn't open on its own😂🤣😂👍
😂😂 silver linings and all that
I agree you guys are being way too nice, I recommend using a boat fitter as a general carpenter just won't understand a boat's foibles ,nothing is square,and it sits in a humid environment, so considerations on materials,etc will be second nature. Good luck keep the view comming.
Thank you! 😊 Unfortunately, he did tell us he was experienced working on boats and he lives on one himself so we were also shocked those things weren’t taken into consideration!
Think we will only go off recommendations from now on, you live and learn! 🤷🏻♀️😪
They may not be perfect but the ramp and drawers do look nice, I wonder if it is worth getting him back out to at least raise them up a bit and fix that screw damage before it damages you! I’d sincerely hope he’d not charge to correct that. The latches he might be able to at least suggest something even if he doesn’t have the skills and experience to do it himself. The radiator thing though… I’d suggest a rethink on that one.
Shame it isn’t ‘perfect’ but things rarely are unfortunately, it’s how we react to these that determine our state of mind…😌🙏🥰 for the chest of draws, you could install some small wooden catches that match the wood…should stop the draws opening with boat movement. With the fold out desk radiator cover, perhaps screw in a permanent articulated wooden strut/leg? Doops seems to manage ok hopping up when the ramp is down a bit…try screwing in some wooden bars that enable it to sit on? Hope that’s helpful guys! Please don’t be disappointed, perhaps this carpenter hasn’t worked on a boat before? 😉 as always, thanks for sharing!
Im with @tonycarter3756 on the steel rod, The wooden dowels shouldnt have been used because you live in a damp atmosphere so the dowels will swell and you wont be able to get them out, even if you sand them they will still swell, maybe for now rub some candle wax on the dowels that should help
A screw sticking out of the side a draw that scraps across the floor , your desk has to have additional support.. No your expectations were not to high that's bad workmanship. I hope you can get a discount because you now have to fix the issues. Good luck
you should be able to adjust the drawer runners to make them less slidey/loose . or he should have used automatic drawer closing runners .
Ooh will have a look at that thank you
Should be able to find a piece of wire or other metal that would be the slight bit smaller diameter for the last issue.
Can you sand a bit off the bottom of the first drawer to allow it to slide?
Generally though, the results seem more starter diy than tradesman. Hopefully you didn’t pay much for the work.
looks like you will have to raise the drawers up and inch or so. Also, you can get magnets that you could install in the back of the drawers (if they go back to the back wall), so when you close them, the magnets make contact with the metal tabs and hold the drawers from coming out.....good luck, let us know how you make out ! Love your Vlogs
hmmmm - a decent chippy would not leave stuff like that!
Hi guys awesome vlog as usual, entertainment value 10/10... keep on living your dream and stay safe😊
It is difficult when works not as expected. I would try to get him back or if you paid by card could do a part clawback via the bank. Seems he rushed it a bit. Btw loved that mooring. Best wishes. ❤
Great video also just super glue some small magnets to the draws that should hold them closed.
Bunch of cowboys, I'm so upset to see this, you were both really excited to get the work done, but so much isn't fit for purpose, I would suggest trying to get a refund or getting them to come back and rectify the damage. I know you will both move on and it won't get you down too much; hopefully it will get sorted or you will find ways to get resolve the issues yourselves. xxx
I can understand your disappointment, perhaps at a later date a different joiner will be able to rectify the shoddy workmanship. Dont give up. Try a brass rod in the bunny steps. How about painting the mini table and trellis white ?
With the ram dowel being too tight, you could either sand it down to make it thinner, or buy a dowel that is one size smaller in diameter.
Check into the same type of lock drawers that caravans have since the boat is similar in that it is moving all the time
The folding desk is a bit carp. Search in charity shops for a folding table, remove one leaf, attach to wall, or to make what you have work, you could buy a 'desmo' leg. Drawers look good, add two plant pot feet under the front. Guy has told you to foxtrot oscar, chalk that one to experience and move on. Great video production.
Ar you can get radiator covers for B&Q just the insert in wood and metal. On the steps you just need a bigger hole 🕳 for the pegs thay have become tight because your on the Water 💧 ok have fun 😊X
You could put some sort of latches on the out side of the draw to keep them closed
Hey guys...I am a shipwright and build boats for a living and design custom furniture to fit...the problem you have is you have hired a handyman/carpenter, not someone that works with boats...your day to day land carpenters cant get their heads around not using a square or level...hope he sorts it all out for you and tell him to throw away the square and level as its a boat and a moving object......😂
Funny you should say that, he’s actually a boater himself and reassured us he knows boats 🤷🏻♀️😂
Thank you!
That’s a shame but you keep positive, you should have held some money back and I’m sure next time you would do. X
Might be an idea to have some metal dowels made with a ring on the end so you can get your finger in and pull.
Oooh great idea!
Depends whether your tradesperson is used to building things for boats (with no right angles). Though I suspect he used naff drawer fixings. Table/Rad cover: looks a bit shoddy & I think he should have built in extra support. The trellis is OK - wind some lights or a faux climber/vine (from IKEA) into it and it'll look fab. Ramp: you should replace dowel with metal rod, but otherwise it's very cute the way it all packs away.
He’s a boater himself which is why we went with him, so he should’ve known better about the angles of the walls!
Thank you for your suggestions and for watching! 😊
A competent professional is what’s required.
Agreed!
Great video as expected. Sorry to hear even in the UK getting tradies with pride in their workmanship is hard to find too. You are right. Being very specific at the beginning and talking with them as they measure up is a must. He should have seen most of those problems at measure up time, but those draw issues. He definitely would have seen as he installed. The sad thing is most of them he could have easily rectified as he came across them. It's an expensive lesson learned to always get references from previous clients before agreeing to a job.
Btw
I loved that intro.... It's laundry day. So dead pan I cracked up laughing 🤣🤣
7:34 You might not have an anchor but at least you have a spare wheel! 😁 To be honest the "tradesperson" you hired, while producing some parts which are ok, hasn't delivered to any quality I'd say was reasonable and to say your expectations were too high is really quite insulting. To quote Ron Swanson "I don't want to paint with a broad brush here but every contractor is a miserable, incompetent, thief." 😉 Sorry you've not had good service or work from the contractor and hope you can make it work.
I feel so sorry for you you can scribe very easy with a peice of wood and a pencil I heard narrow boat with James built is looking for work maybe comment on his channel he will fix it and keep it in the community hope you get it sorted thanks for showing the reality of the mighty wood bodger's.. keep smiling adapt and survive is how us boaters live... 😁
The radiator will hardly work at all if its walled up in there! Most of the heat from a radiator is from convection of air from in front and behind it, rather than radiation of heat directly from it. So boxing it in like that suffocates it.
There has to be a path out at the top for hot air and room for that hot air to draw in cold from the floor. The more open the path, the more heat and more efficient (ie gas used) it is.
To be fair we said to him we didn’t mind it being covered as we only have the radiators as a backup heating if our stove breaks. We never use them 😊
As a seasoned Scenic carpenter I can assure you that the person you hired was not a carpenter, no one would have attached the hinges in the way he/she did that was so amateur, that was cheap, quick , nasty and lazy!
Did the carpenter come to see the boat and the job in advance ? if so you should not have paid him/her the job was rank amateur.
I cant believe that the carpenter has placing dowels for the rabbit plank in the side of ply wood, as you can see it is already starting to separate.
Everything about your experience is unacceptable, you should be more confrontational and not accept crappy as acceptable work! ... Crap is Crap!
Garden trellis is just that ... "Garden trellis" you should publicize who the fake Carpenter is ... ask him for a 50% refund, you basically got a half-arsed job!
BTW ... I love your show I'm 66 living in Dallas and hope to retire on a narrow boat back home sometime soon .... Before I am 70!
Candle wax rubbed on the dowel should help with easing it in and out. Just a suggestion that may help. The screw sticking out and the bottom drawer not running should be fixed by the carpenter. I'm not impressed with the table so!ution I think you need to show him why things need fixing. Goodwill for his reputation and obviously if he does a good job other boaters would know to trust him.
Its hard to knowwhats best.Im sure you both could have done just as good.maybe you could have got a small sturdy desk.And just higher the chest of drawer.
Hi guys another fun filled video and full of content and well informed and yes you probably could of do if your self but it mite have took you longer but you would of got the result you wanted there is always a risk it will not be what you were expecting but stay safe out there with your dog and rabbit from the uk 🇬🇧
the comment re expectation is interesting, how much did that lot cost?
£500. Which is felt was a fair price, it was more the installation we had issues with.
Shoddy workmanship. You shouldn't be the ones having to rectify someone else's incompetence. I'd be asking for a refund.
Shoddy workmanship!! Do not leave a good review lol
Pity you didn't ask around your boating community for a marine carpenter, I would name and shame this cowboy.
He is from the community and is a boater too unfortunately 😪
Sand paper the dowel down a bit..
Have you changed your water separater fuel filter yet
The one after your fuel tank
I did carpentry and renovation when I was younger and no offense but that work is totally unacceptable :\ Yall deserve the best for your money especially in these times.
Thank you! 😪❤️
Have to assume he is a carpenter and not a boat carpenter. If you gave measurements and he built off-site then you have to take some responsibility but he should have made adjustments on the fly. Sticking bottom draw should have been rectified for sure. Can you lift the whole unit and add small rubber feet or even washers? Radiator cover can be replaced easily I think with some decorative board from B and Q as I have seen the stuff you wanted there. Drawers opening and staying shut can be fixed easily with magnets
He lives on a boat himself and reassured us he is experienced working on boats. He came out himself twice to measure before the installation.
The drawers are now fixed in place so not easy to remove but it is doable, but a job for later now 😪
Thank you for your suggestions!
@@BoatTime no excuses if he lives on a boat and did the measurements himself. Was playing devils impartial advocate but damn, cant defend the guy now lol
@@DEmma1972 haha yeah that’s fair! 😂 we were worried we were being unreasonable but really don’t think we are!
Thanks for watching 😊
Rub some soap bar on the parts where the wood meets (tiny sticks) it should get it to slide easily. The guy that leaves a nail sticking should not be called a professional. This things are hit and miss even in the house, it is really hard to find a true craftsman...Big hug
I think he must of been a tradesman on his mothers side. You should of got what you paid for it wasn't that hard to do. Enjoy your vlogs keep your chin up.Andy
Hi guys great video, it’s a shame the work was not completed properly, I am curious, how much did this cost ?
A professional tradesman would point out something he couldn't get to perfection. He should have shown you the problem with the drawers and said he needed to come back with different fasteners and also to do more work on the bottom one. He should also have pointed out the overhang on your radiator cover. That's just knock your ankle height. Seems like he's a fix it cowboy. Such a shame but we all live and learn.
8:36
"gaps at base and back"
9:05 ,,,
:(
10:07
:( the sketch doesn't show any tapering. It's a good lesson to inspect drawings and that they should have had actual dimensions marked.
One support for a desk that size seems daft.
idk but for the size of the radiator the trellis looks more practical for getting the heat out than the little gaps in the sketch? Maybe a louvered front would work?
WOW you two are so nice , the comment of your expectations are to high wow i am using my wife's account to comment because i got so mad. Ive been a hgv mechanic for 25 years and its like giving a truck back with three wheel and saying to my customer your expectations are too high what a joke im sorry but that work he has done doesn't meet the standard of carpenter. as a trade person my self and knowing the following you have on social media platforms it would have been the best work i could of done. i would be asking for a refund ............rant over
ps please buy Wes a oil filter strap from Halfords only £5-£10 lol so he doesn't burst a blood vessel next service
A good carpenter should have got the angles and finishes (screw thru the wall ... yikes) I stick carpet on that ramp tho coz it looks a bit narrow and he might slip x.
Honestly guys ask him to come back yeh? Your only asking for a few basic furnishings, not a hand carved figurehead of Dupes 😂 xxxx
Hope you didn’t pay too much for the work.. I’m an Electrician and I’m sure I could have done better 🤦🏼♂️
❤️
Oh nooo, that is soo disappointing! I'm just like you...don't like complaining. But when you pay for a carpenter to do exactly what you need, then that's what you should get really. It's so disheartening . 😔 ❤
Professional ?? Carpenter ??? Tradesman ???? , were you at home whilst the work was done , i would have cancelled after the first job and sent him packing , but done now, hope you didnt pay too much for his work , you both too nice
Hi Amy, Wes, It's a shame the woodwork on one hand is good, but the fitting of same did not come up to your expectations. Like you said at the end of the Vlog, maybe on the next professional you get in, sit him/her down and go thru the finery of how you expect it to be done within the confines of a narrow boat, and say to them, can you do this? Lets hope you can resolve your situation. Take Care.
replace dowel with a knitting needle.
Good suggestion thank you!
Instead of the wooden dowl try a knitting needle
None of it is fit for purpose. You asked a professional carpenter to do a specific job. If he couldn't do the job he should have said. Not told you that your expectations were too high.
Don't pay.
If you already have paid, maybe a small claims court if it is not rectified.
hi guys it's such a shame when so called trades men rip people of, your paying for their 'skills', did your carpenter turn up on a horse , seems to be a cowboy,if you wax your dowels they should be easier to slide in & out, they will wear in over time. The dowels will swell due to the nature of boat life ,personally I'd go to B&Q and get some threaded bar wing nuts to replace the dowel, it comes in various sizes ,if you cover the bar in vasoline it will stop it rusting.
take a look at 'Narrowboat that James built' he's got a cool way to 'scribe' the wood to the curve of your walls, for your table/radiator cover, like you say your gonna smack your ankles or the top of your foot on that trip hazard
All the best guys, keep smiling :) Tinx
Ah shame you two got taken a bit on this one, but as you said live and learn as they say. Next time as you said, be very specific, ensure they understand your expectations completely and when done, inspect, be sure your happy than they may final or last payment. The only power you have in that is the last payment really and if you have drawings and notes discussing dimensions that is the "contract" of sorts yeah? Anyway, as you said it is livable with some mods, but paying and then having to diy it after is a bummer big time, sorry for you two.
I hope the 'carpenter' reads these comments! They must have charged very little for your expectations to be too high. Working drawers and a desk sturdy enough to work are not high expectations . Screws sticking through and garden trellis, there's rustic and there's dross. It's not a professional job at all and when other boaters see this they won't be using their services. I agree that you should name and shame. Love your vlogs and I feel so annoyed that someone has treated you like this.