First-time house renovation

TomsMom

Wow Latecomer, what a weekend you've had! Just makes me glad we had builders to do ours as I'm sure I'd have learned a few new swear words from OH if he'd be doing it. Anyway, you're moving forward despite the problems :T .

latecomer

I was resisting against removing the bath completely as its going to be at least 3 weeks until we get the new bath fitted, possibly more. Going to check with site manager its ok to use work shower out of hours until we get sorted but it shouldn't be an issue.

During a chance conversation this morning I've found one of my colleagues has just plastered his lounge ceiling (24m2) and claims to be getting rather good at it having done a fair bit recently. I said that we were just going to get someone in to do it and he's offerred to come round and do it for us one evening as he doesn't think it would take more than about 2-3 hours. He's said we can go round and check out his efforts first to make sure they are good but I wouldn't do that as what you say if you thought is was rubbish. Might have to take him up on that offer as at worst we could just get someone in to skim over.

TomsMom

latecomer wrote: »

He's said we can go round and check out his efforts first to make sure they are good but I wouldn't do that as what you say if you thought is was rubbish. Might have to take him up on that offer as at worst we could just get someone in to skim over.

Errr.... "That's rubbish mate, I think I'll get a professional in" :rotfl:

That's a real help eh? Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Or you could pass the buck and say "I'll get Mrs Latecomer to come and have a look, as you know what they sez goes". Then take Mrs Latecomer along with you and if you're not happy tell him "Sorry mate, Mrs Latecomer is being over fussy so I'd better do as I'm told and find a pro. No offence, if it was me I'd be happy to have you but my life will be a lot easier if I obey her who makes the rules". Blimey, I'm not doing much for the sisterhood here am I?

Anyway, for anyone who's interested, I've blogged my little heart out over the last couple of days and updated my ramblings. It's not the end, I'll still be keeping a diary until it's been decorated and we've settled in.

latecomer

:rotfl: thanks for the advice - blame it all on OH

Will see what she says tonight but I've got to say I'm very tempted.

Will check out the blog and must remember to update ours

jamtart6

andrew-b wrote: »

However you look at it B&Q screwed up! I wouldn't have been so forgiving myself and would have gone elsewhere long ago. Still at least you've found a plumber to actually install it!

Andy

Well the saga continues. I rang B&Q to get a straight swop from off-centre bath to centre bath and turns out we have to (a) contact the supplier direct to organise the paper work (b) get a refund (c) re-order the bath. :rolleyes: Wasn't overly happy about this and the whole situation so the manager is ringing me tomorrow when he is in so we can sort out my hefty discount. Then as I'm about to say bye, the girl on the phone slips in "theres about a 12 week lead time on this bath you know" :eek::mad: I am so angry. I ordered on 29th December and the flippin' thing is now not due until 1st July :eek: It is an absolute disgrace and the manager is going to get an absolute earful from me and the head office is getting an extremely strongly worded letter. We are going to get the whole thing refunded and go elsewhere because although we could happily wait until July, the principle of the matter is we have had to wait 6 months for a bathroom that promised a 2 week delivery time. :mad:

I will henceforth stop whinging about the bath :rotfl::D

TomsMom

Oh Jamtart - sending you the biggest hug. What a nightmare.

First thought was why should you have to contact the supplier to organise the paperwork. You purchased from B&Q - that's YOUR supplier so they should deal with any problems.

I'm not surprised about the 12 week wait, I hear this a lot with B&Q.

I hope you can find a bath that at least equals the one you wanted, if not even better. Perhaps we can all start searching for you?????

latecomer

What a pain in the rear. I'd wait and see what the manager has to say about it. try and remain calm while discussing it though as it nearly always gives better results. Not easy but definitely worth trying and if it still fails then you can lose your rag knowing you've tried everything.

Oh and I agree with TomsMum, B&Q are your supplier so you shouldn't have to deal with anyone else. Thats their job.

jamtart6

I always use "calm and patronising" on the phone when negotiating as it definitely works best - and frequenly use "disappointed and upset" rather than "stark raving angry" lines!! I then come off the phone ring my OH and let rip at what incompetent fools they are. Bless!

Apparently B&Q cannot contact their supplier directly as data protection laws have changed :rolleyes: so we have to do it ourselves. As none of this was mentioned when we bought it from B&Q, the manager will be getting told that they will have to do it as I simply don't have the time for messing about when it was no fault of my own.

The other thing I am concerned about if I keep it is that if there is anything wrong with the bath when we get it in July (!) and decide to send it back, our 28 day period will be up for sending the sink etc. back so its just easier to send it all back and start from scratch. Although I will lose my discount from the bathroom if we buy elsewhere, I'm thinking a B&Q gift card will probably cover it as we'll undoubtedly be spending a fortune in there on paint etc.

I think I should write the letter to head office now whilst I'm fired up :T

ETA: A 12 week delivery time wouldn't be so bad, but not 2x 12 weeks!!!!!

latecomer

"B&Q cannot contact their supplier due to data protection issues":rotfl::rotfl:

Surely if that was the case then they wouldn't be able to order it for you in the first place? Me thinks someone was trying to avoid dealing with the issue by passing it onto you. You pay B&Q and hence your contract is with them, anything else is there problem.

If its any consolation I've had no reply about my skirtings but did find an email from our architect asking me to phone asap. Guess that means there will be no plans when I get home and have emailed him to say if there are no plans then there is nothing to discuss. Have since spoken to OH and she has a missed called from a number is his area code but this was about 3pm today. He asked for until today to get plans to us so I think its fair to say that if there are no plans then there is nothing to discuss. He could have phoned us at any point in the last 5 1/2 months if wanted to discuss things.......

Anyone think thats unreasonable?

Josepina

KT1985 - Good luck with interview and well done on plastering thats 1 job I would never attempt!
Latecomer - wow you had a busy weekend! I agree with Toms mom about plastering tho' it would be so embarrassing if it was awful, I think I'd look for an excuse to find a pro!
Jamtart - I can't believe your bath fiasco, I think call it a day cancel and look elsewhere, there are bound to be lots of sales coming up at Easter. Definitely insist on compensation from B+Q tho' as you say there is always something you'll need if they give you vouchers.
I went out to look for a garage door in blue but the place I went quoted about £700 eek!! Anyway found same doors on internet for about £450 then I phoned another local company who have agreed to price match so I feel much happier now
As for the kitchen units - exact layout will be different and we will still need to buy 1 maybe 2 new units so won't be using same worktop but the saving will be pretty good. I think my main concern was whether the carcasses would fall apart when I try to move them into the utility room, they aren't that old, builder thinks they will be fine.