En retard sur les chantiers

Progress on the house in France is faltering! Our builder was supposed to start last week but our spies informed us that there was no sign! We emailed and left a message on his mobile expressing our desire to be able to progress with the plumbing when we come out in October. We finally had an email expressing his sincere apologies for the fact that he is en retard sur mes chantiers or behind with his buildings, and saying that one of his staff had left (probably the one who had been arguing with his son when we last saw them!) He stated enthusiastically that by the time we get there in October he will be building the walls (which probably means he will start the day before we get there!) Such is life in the world of building I fear!