The Reluctant Builder and Why He Became One

[@MarktheOddJob]

As a West London self builder myself I can completely identify with Mat. I've done my own extension and loft conversion by watching Skill Builder and KZbin videos and got really positve feedback from the building inspectors. Apparently my work was to a "really high standard"! I found this confusing as a first time builder, surely the pro's are better at this? There's now a team of professional builders doing the same extensions to the house next door. Everytime I look out of the window I'm glad I did mine myself! Hang in there Matt the feeling of satisfaction when you finish is fantastic.

[@Palo-jm7xc]

I guess the thing to remember is self builders don't have the constraint of having to earn a living out of the build process. This makes builders limited to what they can charge as they need to remain competitive, keep the work coming and also do it in a timescale that pays a good wage. This is why every good builder charges lots more as they can take more time to make sure everything is done with utmost care without worrying about needing to make enough money to keep the company going. I guess what I'm trying to say is being able to build is only half the problem, but being able to make a good living as well and manage a business makes it much harder. Building is expensive. Shit builders offer cheaper solutions. People get the result of cheaper solutions done by shit builders. I'm not excusing the builders who are expensive and shit or even just shit.

[@Ram-ql1nv]

@@Palo-jm7xc If you own the property its a good long term investment doing the work properly and taking the time to do it

[@V8PropaneBurner]

I think Ali Dymock summed it up well when he said that 'no-one cares as much about your project as you do'. This is exactly why your work on your project was done to a high standard. For the same reason I'm building my own garden room. Quality work takes time and costs more and quality trades are in big demand, alas there are so many grab the cash types out there offering cheaper options and catching out the unwary.

[@liquidsnake6879]

The point of professionals is not that they do it to high standards necessarily, it's that they do it quickly, speed overwhelms quality, more speed more money and professional status is all about money. They should OBVIOUSLY know what they're doing and most do and have done it a million times before, but their focus is always speed not quality, they'll gladly sacrifice quality for extra speed, unless you go to the really high-end guys who get paid to put in the extra time and not worry about getting to their next job

[@mrdo9081]

Agree 100%. All the issues with our self build was down to the contractors not being able to think past the block and brick bread and butter build, with one pendant light in each room mentality. Then questioning them, you would get the typical response of "We are the professionals". I designed the house, had an architect and structural engineers do the drawings and calculations, but I knew that design and every element of it with my eyes closed. I ended up doing all the bay window roofing timbers and roof tiling and lead work (all without previous know how), all because my chippy had designed it and set it out that the bifold doors opposite could not open with his implementation, and every time I questioned him he sent me to the builders merchants for a "Long Stand", just so I was not in the way. I totally agree, that you need to push back, not accept any flimflam and stick to your guns...oh and become an expert overnight on whatever is causing the friction. You come out the other end being more confident in your own abilities and perspective. Well done for not accepting mediocre.

[@Nathan-dx7le]

Cheers Roger, I needed to see this, and some of the comments from others with similar experience of the building trade. I'm 7 years into a self-build barn conversion. It started 3 years before I got involved. But 2 of my 7 years were my Dad and I working everyday except 2 Christmas days to remediate the previous builder's work before we could actually move forward. He expected the people he gave the job to to know their job and do it well. Such a mistake. Then had further problems with joiners and roofers. Utterly depressing at one point; had to take 5 months off site, to just about keep it together & keep my day job going. If I can avoid having to pay someone else now, I'll avoid it almost whatever the cost. No tool is too expensive, and I'll figure it out. Not been a good experience, but the place'll be simple and right in the end, and with any luck, warm! All the best as you progress Matt.

[@RB-cs5dw]

Keep up the good work, just legendary ❤

[@mattyboy3908]

Amazing video, Roger. Hats off to Matt, he knows more than some of the so-called pros. This is exactly how I started my career - by looking at the pros work and having to put it right.

[@noskills9577]

How the fuck has that man not gone mental? After the first dodgy job I wouldn’t of let anyone else set foot on the property. Fair play to him for sticking with it and pushing through all these problems. Remarkable story.

[@twig3288]

I became a DIYer for the same reasons, the professionals were just too unreliable and slipshod. If you want a job done properly, do it yourself.

[@gadjules7334]

Massive kudos to this chap, very impressed. Such a shame he was let down so badly but wow has he stepped up to deal with it. Congrats

[@gingerelvis]

I feel for the bloke, fair play to him! Nothing like on his scale but everything a trade has done to my house I've ended up redoing.

[@hsfest]

stop choosing cheap prices then mate?

[@themorgans1328]

Well done respect to your learning journey. Every time I have ever employed so called experts I end up putting their work right at my expense. I am doing a 2 year bricklaying course so I can do the work on my extension myself, so many cowboys out there.

[@42RHD]

Good for you! I ended up doing a plumbing qualification, principally because I couldn't afford to pay someone else to do the work on my place, but I really enjoyed it and turned out to be good at it.

[@codejackz]

Wow, thats unreal. How do these builders get away with so much bodge work, they are supposed to be the experts. Fair play to them for taking on the build and having the confidence to question the shoddy work. Best of luck with completing the build

[@dougsaunders8109]

I am a fairly competent DIY’er partly for the reasons here, partly because I enjoy it and I could not afford trades until recently. We are looking at an extension. This sort of thing is the reason a lot of ours will be self build. How many people just don’t realise what a mess their property until years later when a complete mess unveils it self! This is a tail of one individual (couple) with huge resilience, good on you 👍🏻

[@glennpowell3444]

Hiya.I did a self build extension 15 years ago under a building notice.Although I started life in construction it was for me a big project.Only had to hire two trades the rest all my work.Still very proud of it.They take time fitting around work etc but very satisfying knowing it right and meets regs.

[@breezin247]

Great job, big learning curve. Think builders and engineers should be vetted more though. If they can make mistakes like that, who can you trust? I thought England had some better standards. Shocking

[@messageobliquespe100]

Engineer? I doubt there was one involved tbh

[@sambarnes2063]

I think it’s more likely he went for the cheapest quote instead of the quality builder, standard mistake. By cheap, get cheap

[@memecoinmafia2732]

if you are doing any major structural work ,it should be overseen by an engineer ..... he obviously didn't do this

[@markrainford1219]

@@sambarnes2063 Probably a language barrier as well.

[@TheBrick2]

@@memecoinmafia2732 true but at the start he was entrusting to the contractor and might not know when and for what you need a engineer for that why you hire someone. There has been a massive multistory carpark near me that has was obviously speced by engineers but poorly overseen started having chunks of concrete fall off in a year or so after completion! Personally I think there need to be zero overlap from a business ownership pov between contractor and building inspection and engineer. If they are all paid by the same person it's tempting to be curupted

[@barneyleadhead2596]

What a story - Learning by doing and gradually ending the nightmare through your own resourcefulness and sheer hard graft. Big thumbs up to you Matt and Best Wishes on the rest of the build👍

[@Anthony-dh3ty]

Great video. The building industry is the wild west, it's about time it was properly regulated.

[@logik100.0]

The issues he has had is why I do it all myself.

[@daveg6948]

Hat's off to him and much respect.👍

[@Paul-XCIV2]

The state of trades in this country has become a joke. I think your video with the guy with the floor leak, who had returned to the UK from Canada, summed it up when he said the British now only seem concerned with how much money they can screw out of you rather than doing the job you need.

[@bodinski100]

ya doing ya grandad proud mate....top job

[@p-jan5747]

16:00 i feel you, same here. It's hard to find skilled and commited technicians/builders.

[@robthomas7232]

Just amazing so many things that have gone wrong. Hats off to them for sticking with it as I think I might have given up by now. Do they have a KZbin channel we can follow?

[@lunavx]

Very similar boat, I just don't trust contractors - I'd rather read up on everything and carry out works myself. Reading up means I do everything to the book.

[@markosborne5510]

Well done Matt bet you’ll have a fantastic house and do your Grandad proud👏

[@76ram1]

Much respect, this is why I’ve been doing my own building work and I really enjoy it. I’m in finance.

[@bobbysilver272]

Wow, what a major, major construction job. Years and years long. Good luck with it. But it makes me want to live in the countryside...

[@1x3dil]

You can’t help but feel sorry for these people , when they employee people in good faith only to be totally let down . Despite everything the cowboys are still out there , and inal honestly they are increasing in numbers . A sobering thought is just how many of there jobs go undetected , which are potentially like ticking time bombs to go off in the future . Thanks again Rodger for highlighting this worrying situation . Best wishes and kind regards as always 😀👍👍👍

[@RI-uv3lm]

Cant wait to have an extended video series on this

[@superiorbeing95]

I know how this guy feels, we had a re-roof and new gutters and soffits, half of it needs pulling back off, wrong size, not secure properly. They came back to fix a leek and left me with flashband to compensate for some inadequate flashing. I think a as a DIYer you can often do a much better job by spending the extra time and thought, it's sad but I don't trust people to do things right.

[@Leonard_Smith]

"If you can, do it yourself" 👍

[@Shandybrother]

Please follow his project!

[@BryansThailand]

Absolutely fantastic video. Really enjoyed watching this 👌 👍👍👍

[@V8PropaneBurner]

Oh how I can sympathise with Matt. It was my own bad experience with a builder (although on nowhere near the same scale as this) that led me to find Skill Builder and other related channels. I could tell the builder was cutting corners and feeding me BD on a daily basis. Watching Roger and friends' videos gave me a better idea of what was reasonable to expect and how far short of that these guys delivered. I ended up throwing them off the job and finishing things myself as I my trust in 'the professionals' was utterly destroyed. It's a real shame that their are bad workmen about that tar the reputation of the entire trade and leave a trail of unhappy homeowners. Another commenter mentioned the never-ending trail of 'Easter eggs' you continue to find, same experience here.

[@jacksrus]

You are paying the building inspector, so make sure YOU know when they are coming and talk to them. Lots of free info from them, if you can't be there phone them. Be polite to them and make them your next best friend.

[@jameshurst3279]

Any building videos coming up?

[@UnfittedNoise]

It's so difficult to find trades people who you can trust to leave them to it. Had my drive re done and they made a mess and have disappeared. Highly rated gas engineers for a combi install, missing screws in thermostat, large hole left side of boiler. Leaking hot water pipe, no system flush or chemicals added. Fortunately invoice won't be paid until it's sorted. It's main reason why I rather do the work myself, but not being registered what choice do you have! It's a nightmare.

[@messageobliquespe100]

Do it yourself if the actual work you’re doing doesn’t actually need being registered - it’s a grey area - but as long as you don’t ‘’mess” with the gas / then you should be ok - IF you know what you’re doing

[@MatSmithLondon]

Completely agree.

[@wotnoturbo]

Same story in most trades tbh, learn skills & get it done yourself, i know there are brilliant people about but finding & affording them is a different story.

[@markrainford1219]

A job like that needs to be project managed by a professional. Ninety nine percent of all those problems would have been spotted before they ever happened. Part of management is being able to ascertain the capabilities of, and monitor, the tradesmen you employ. They all say "yeah mate, l can do that".

[@lazylad8544]

Massive job on his hands there. To quote Rodger....it'll be lovely when it's finished.

[@Matt54315]

What a shit show, not just us who finds poor workers then. I'm forever fixing problems caused by so called "professionals" do what I can myself now.

[@mikes4163]

Annoyingly these days the 'regulations' are making it harder and harder to not employ incompetent idiots. Years ago some tilers remarked to my wife (I was abroad) that they could tell the plumbing was DIY because care had been taken. Which is really sad. Where did pride in a job go?

[@holdfast7657]

I've had customers who want jobs built to their low budget and not to what the job should be. With experience you learn to say no, the correct way or not at all. Matt deserved better. But as he says he should have looked closely at the engineers plans.

[@42RHD]

Wow! Huge respect!

[@gbwildlifeuk8269]

I've never had and never will, have a builder in my house!

[@hvacdesignsolutions]

Quality, schedule and cost.....pick two. That's the building game for you.

[@sonnyforte2374]

I’m out of breath watching that, poor Rodger couldn’t get a word in 😂

[@SkillBuilder]

Sonny If I can find someone to interview who wants to talk more than me I am happy to give them the microphone.

[@MichaelPickles]

What a great guy! I feel his pain I think it was a bunch of clowns that put my house together as well. I have taken to building work myself as well. The cost for builders is too much for the work that is done. I'll only call them in if it's a job that requires more than one guy. Some other jobs I'm doing, I don't know any electrician that would do it or understand it.

[@memecoinmafia2732]

sure buddy

[@franstimmer8475]

Wauw, this is next level. Great respect for the guy.

[@tamarinde]

I see Matt is using cat6 UTP but its best to use (S/)FTP if you go anywhere near power cables

[@Chanesmyname]

Should be proud of achieving this!

[@KeithWhittingham]

I think the story told in the video above is the inevitable result of the educational system we have in the UK. Let me explain why. In Switzerland they have two main educational streams: if you can you go to university. There's quite a difficult process to get in so its for the brainy. For those that don't make university there's an apprenticeship system whereby people learn a trade and get 'proper' qualifications. Building in Switzerland is expensive but not as expensive as 'getting it done on the cheap'. Build quality is simply on a different level. Estimates have guarantees. Most importantly people that have a trade can be proud of their work and live with dignity rather than a career based on constantly managing to 'get away with stuff'. They are professionals. The UK will not improve until they reform(!) the educational system and that, as far as I can see, is not on anybody's agenda. The powers-that-be prefer to look after every Roel, Abdul, and Ndongo rather than Tom, Dick, and Harry. I'm not a religious guy but Matthew has it right: ""..first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye".

[@peterbalac1915]

The powers that be in the UK didn't need a crystal ball to predict what was going to happen when they did away with the city and guilds aprentership scheme. Worst thing that ever happened to the building industry, there was always a Clarke of works on the job back then to oversee proceedings.

[@captainhawhaw8732]

That was a nice one Roger, with a bit of thought everyone is capable of carrying out thier own work, this guy was sick I can see of being ripped off by cowboy builders, so he has taken the task on himself, good.

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

A mammoth task there but such an interesting video 😳🧱👍🏽

[@LuckyBunnyBrorf24retired]

Plz make a video for different bricks used for different purposes and benefits and disadvantages of using different bricks

[@THE-AIDEN-PROJECT]

My kinda man 🙌

[@burwoodbuild]

If you’re gonna do your first self build… GO BIG! 😅 Respect!👊🏼

[@sasa1982uk]

15:32 what kind of channel is this?

[@SkillBuilder]

Is that your best joke? Don't give up your day job

[@sasa1982uk]

@@SkillBuilder 🤣🤣🤣

[@janm2510]

please pardon my ignorance. is the storm water system not seperate to the sewer?

[@quantumstatejim]

No, in lots of older areas of London sewers were originally built to dump directly into the river with combined storm water and sewerage. It would be pretty expensive and disruptive to fit separate systems so they are still combined. It does cause problems where when there is high rainfall sewage will get dumped because the processing plants can't cope. The current approach to improve things is a mixture of increasing capacity (e.g. Thames tideway project) and trying to slow/reduce the amount of stormwater runoff going into the system generally known as sustainable drainage systems (SuDS).

[@frantiseksram9741]

I feel sorry for those who can't self build, as they can't tell a screwdriver from pliers... They are left to rely on these contractors... How bad is that.

[@sydneyharbourscenery1206]

I don’t think I’ll ever do a building addition or renovation ever. Not after watching this.

[@skimmingstoness]

Why are the side of stairs in old houses always painted at the side apart from the bare strip up the middle.

[@tuff3r]

Because the bit in the middle would have had carpet on it.

[@billysmart24830732]

Another great politics free video. It reminds me why I take the time to learn and do the jobs myself because our industry is FULL of sub standard tradespeople. Several times, it has been cheaper for me to go do a course, pay the accreditation fee and self certify than pay a so called professional to do it. This applies from domestic electrician and wiring my own extension to street works and putting in my own drop kerb.

[@jamesenglish8639]

From my experience bring a trade in to do one task , there is no overall responsibility for the overall result . I’d guess that get a proper building contractor in and this chap doing his day job would have been more beneficial , cost effective etc .

[@MatSmithLondon]

Perhaps you are right. But “proper building contractors” who won’t screw up are genuinely difficult to find.

[@peterbalac1915]

That's because good builders are always inundated with work, people aren't prepared to wait wich usually leads to getting stiffed by an unknown.

[@Vatech-gj2tw]

Skill builder who do you think makes the most reliable cordless nailers?

[@troyboy4345]

What a bloody night mare ..... 😔

[@chelps6411]

loads of bodges but also note the architect specifying that roof light which is terrible!...people seem to put so much reliance on silicone.

[@killercontractor]

Neat house!!

[@phill3144]

He will have peace of mind when it's all done, money can't always buy that 😁

[@jeffyoung321]

It's disgraceful how many cowboys are out there claiming to be builders and tradesman. Hats off to the guy.

[@boldertash]

This is a nuclear bunker spec, imagine living next door to this

[@peepiepo]

It's no wonder we have a national productivity problem. Every job is being done twice!

[@TheOriginalDaveJ]

A lesson learnt would be to keep a retainer from each subbie, payable after a maintenance period and/or making good of any defects.

[@42RHD]

This actually does happen in my world. Now I know why!

[@nickhickson8738]

Phew! I'm exhausted.

[@af17c53]

I admire the guy. I am somewhat in a similar situation(building a house from scratch in a rural area). One question, related to the big oak beam: are the bolts that run through it from brass or stainless steel?

[@UberAlphaSirus]

Brass!!!! lol

[@benh1216]

Likely stainless. Whenever I think of brass fixings I think of them in a aesthetic sense rather than structural. Just my thought anyways 🤔

[@messageobliquespe100]

I’d imagine they’d be mild steel bolts - either grade 4.6 or 8.8. These are generally specified for steelwork internally & even externally. Stainless steel bolts for more exposed conditions / within cavities / hidden behind structure / for proprietary support cladding systems etc. Shouldn’t use stainless steel bolts connecting steelwork that isn’t stainless steel unless you isolate between the two with neoprene washers etc - due to bimetallic corrosion. Hope that might help - you can always call ya friendly structural engineer! Do a sketch of what you’ve got / take a few pics - that’d go a long way to help them to advise you. Although this has been called a flitch beam - I think it’s more of an afterthought / belt & braces kind of scenario / - ie bolt steel plates either side of existing timber assuming the thickness / depth of plate / bolts ok. Designing flitch beams you’d need to know properties of the existing timber / be comfortable that it doesn’t have any problems / been over stressed etc. With this - if any calculations carried out - you’d assess the loading / carry out the design & size the steelwork plate to suit & convince oneself that the load is transferred as you expect it to. This “appears” to just be that - can’t see clearly how the path of load transferred. Who do I send the invoice to 🤔

[@af17c53]

I know from a German carpenter that for oak you have to use stainless steel or brass, otherwise it will eventually rust. LE: is there bimetallic corrosion between steel and stainless steel? If so, I guess special washers should be considered.

[@messageobliquespe100]

Google is your friend for those wanting to know more about bimetallic corrosion Bimetallic corrosion occurs when two metals, with different potentials, are in electrical contact while immersed in an electrically conducting corrosive liquid, Because the metals have different natural potentials in the liquid,

[@chapman9230]

This experience would have killed me.

[@terrymanthorpe1454]

Why wasn’t the steel bars checked by council

[@kevintwine1814]

Unfortunately most of the money is taken for the office and and the guys actually doing the job are only there because they are cheap to hire. Quality is dead in construction because everyone wants fast and cheap and few will pay the price for craftsmanship and aftercare

[@abbersj2935]

These findings are in line with mine, (large self build). Sorry to say, much better training and professionalism as well as honesty is needed at all levels within the building industry. Standards are much higher on the continent. It hurts, but it's the truth.

[@steb1981]

I’ve actually done something similar at home, I shuttered all the walls and used sika adhesive to the concrete. It’s been dry for 5 years. I am yet to finish the project. Typical builder does everyone else’s house but his own 😂

[@jamesharrison3537]

First off mesh is legitimate reinforcement. Standard structural mesh is available with 12mm bars. Also you can quite safely bend steel on site, but you need a tool that gives the proper bend radius. Unfortunately there are many chancers out there that think its just grey stuff being thrown in a hole, or that a hammer is the correct tool for driving screws or even cutting holes in timber sheet. And pre-drilling holes for screws looks like something from a book of fairy tales. Apparently doing things properly is messing about.

[@eddiereed5025]

All the problems highlighted would have been negatad had the local authorities building inspectors been up to scratch, were the works certified as they progressed or was this a bodge it and scarper build. I would prefer a self build any day as those doing the work investigate and usually go overboard on the design and works as it is obviously in there own interest to have the job done right even if moving the property on .

[@mikeselectricstuff]

You can pay someone to do a job, but you can't pay them to give a Sh!t...

[@3yourself]

What a nightmare. Matt has had to learn the hard way, unfortunately mistakes are very costly. At least now he has a good understanding about the job in hand. Didn’t he work with a project manager or building control?

[@northeastcorals]

Horrendous & exactly why I do everything my self. I talked to 12 different roofers this year about re-roofing my house where I asked exactly how they would do the job & what materials would they use etc & every single one of them made me realise that this was yet another job I was going to have to do my self. Never done a completely new cut roof plus slating etc so it was a killer but the jobs a goodun.

[@davideyres955]

The more work I do on my place the more bodges I uncover from so called professionals. It’s infuriating. It would be so much easier to pay someone to do the job but not if they are going to screw it up. Went to fit a Matt well in my place then discovered that the floor wasn’t even close to being level and the screed was coming apart where it looks like they turned on the heating too soon and screwed the screed.

[@cho4d]

my god what a bunch of work he had done :(

[@mc1703]

Seven years...

[@clivealive6261]

People don't tell the whole story, my dentist charges me after he's done my teeth, I don't negotiate, funny how people think builders are labourers and jobs are all the same

[@boriss.861]

The College system in part is woeful as can be seen by two American Chippies that took time out to visit a Technical College in Europe that put their level of Carpentry to shame. So much so they want to work with the College on bringing their practices to the USA!

[@stephencracknell5077]

Have you got a link to that.. would be interested to see.

[@asilver2889]

Aren't builders licenced in US? Presuming that gives a degree of comfort with levels of expertise.

[@viewer.86]

I'm a bit at a loss with this video, in one hand I think the subs he had in have done him over and on the other hand you wonder if it's the project management that has let so much of the process down and he bit off more than he can chew. As a diy'er who does building work I've learnt not to expect anything from anyone and ask every question under the sun because guaranteed the one question you don't ask or hold someone to will bite you in the arse. His key message is 'read the engineering plans and understand them'. Caveat the glass people seem like t0ssers. That should never leak regardless.

[@MatSmithLondon]

The basement company was the main contractor, we signed a three way JCT, they literally defrauded us. They folded the company part way through the job. At the time I was like any other normal guy hiring a basement construction company. Why would I know how to read such a diagram? I had no desire to do a self-build at that time… hey ho

[@MattyB1970]

Kind of boring hearing trades saying “you get what you pay for”. Clearly plenty of People are not getting what they pay for. The suggestion is somehow it’s the purchaser’s fault… my advice is check references, reviews and recommendations. And even then there’s a fair bit of luck, and chances are the bricky will bugger off on another job and hold up other trades - before you know it happy site is a grumpy one. I speak from bitter experience…

[@tunnel7]

Don't just f........ hate builders scamming twisters

[@isitme5669]

That well known building firm bodge it and scarper.

[@rubblestacker]

Engineers and architects use too many computers now and always work on minimums mainly to keep costs down , when it is not built 100% right it will structurally fail , that's modern engineering, we should go back old school and over engineer certain aspects

[@nickgriffin637]

As a tradesman myself I've come across lots of substandard work. Poor basic skills and knowledge result in problems down the line. However much of my life's work is rectifying diyers attempts at saving a few quid. If overcoming other people's cock ups was enjoyable I'd have the best of both worlds. It isn't, but it pays the bills.

[@scottnever8732]

he is know a structural engineer????

[@11colobos]

He sounds like the KZbinr "Ferro"

[@simolatham03]

London builders for ya all the decent ones will just charge a bomb and all the crap just gestating in the bottom and middle of the market.

[@alangknowles]

I feel sorry for him. There seem to be a lot of cowboy builders in London.

[@Mole-Skin]

Sorry.. One final point.. Ask to see proof of Liability Insurance with anyone you employ.. It's surprising how many Builders dont bother..

[@therealdojj]

Wow!

[@deanchapple1]

Goodness what a nightmare!! So many years of his life consumed by a silly bricks and mortar building!! Why do we do it to ourselves? I’ve been there, done it and got the T shirt. I’ve come to the conclusion that there are way more precious things in life think about than a silly roof over your head! We need to live with more contentment.

[@Ram-ql1nv]

If the money's good......why not

[@nickhickson8738]

And you think that some of those Grand Design builds have problem. They pale into insignificance compared to this chap's troubles.