B&Q bathroom installation

SuzieSue

phill99 wrote: »

You're either a fitter for b & q or one of their overpaid salesmen

I'm sure there a few good B&Q fitters around, unfortuntely, as with all large companies which offer installation services, it is pot luck as to whether the one you get is good or not.

Alos, it would appear that when things to go wrong, which they can with the best of companies, B&Q do not resolve them satifactorily, which is probably the main reason not to use them.

ian103

i wouldn't buy any B&Q bathroom ware - can you get spares - loo seats for example. Not for the one we have fitted. I'd buy from a proper supplier, better quality and spares more likely to be available!

pleasedont_2

I will try to keep this short, but would strongly advise against anyone from using B&Q for a new bathroom /kitchen installation.
- planned everything out in store and made order
- turned out tiles were labelled wrongly on display, but thankfully I double checked everything so changed the order
- change of order not processed so wrong tiles delivered and put on wall
- correct tile not now available (I had installation a number of months after placing the order)
- bathroom had been ripped out so I rapidly had to get alternative tile, but nothing I really liked
- made it clear I wouldn't have gone with B&Q based on tile choice now available within budget, but had no alternative but to go ahead with the "plan B" tile so I could get bathroom functionning
- waited in store for 2 hours to get paper work sorted and had to transport the new tiles (which I didn't like) myself and unload them etc because none of their vans were available
- turned out they didn't give me enough tiles anyway and they didn't have any more in my nearest store. I had to do a 2.5hr round trip to get more tiles because of their incompetance
- further items (ceiling light/extractor fan) hadn't been included in order either, despite it being clear they were required
All in all a terrible experience and the result of all the wasted time and effort on my part is a bathroom I don't like. If I knew what the end product was going to look like at the outset I would not have gone with B&Q
Compensation offered £150, it's a joke

ListysDad

Sorry that you had such a carp time but it gladdens my heart to hear!

As a bathroom designer and installer I'm often asked to install B&Q suites and I always refuse, along with every other decent tradesman I know, based on the fact that the person is choosing based on cost not quality.

Bathrooms are vital areas of our lives and need careful thought and design to get the best from the, often, limited space. Unless the person designing it has the experience of installing too, it's going to be extremely rare to find something that is the best use of space, reliable and a joy to use.

Most, so called, designers go for what looks good only and, unfortunately, often that is at odds with reliability and usability. Similarly, most sheds simply replace like for like but with bells on. All estate based homes are designed to reduce construction costs and NOT make the best use of space. My best results have always been where I move things around to free up space.

In short, speak to a designer who installs too. That way you'll rarely go wrong. Oh and DO NOT BUY FROM B&Q as it's crap.

steveritson

We have just had B and Q supply and install our bathroom and I just want to warn anyone else not to go down this route the number of mistakes they made kept me busy the whole week of the fitting and I had to go to B and Q twice to pick up to 6 separate items which they had forgot to order. They then proceeded to put in the wrong RCD unit and then to top it off as I tested the shower for the first time the large square shower head dropped off on my head as it had not been screwed on at all. They fitted the radiator in the wrong place and now you have to sit sideways on the toilet. No one came to check that the job was finished and 3 weeks later there are no paperwork or guarantees for the work. Thanks B and Q but thank god we did this before the Kitchen so at least we know better and can avoid the 'carry on team' for this larger project.

missymoomoo

Hello - has anyone had any positive experiences of B&Q doing a good job? I do like the style of their bathrooms over others but am put off going ahead because of their installation service? Also, are the bathroom suites of a good quality?

Grandmasu

Sorry, I have to agree with the people who have had a bad experience. I chose a suite from B&Q and arranged for them to fit, thinking that I might pay more but would get quality.

What a BIG mistake, I had 9 months interest free credit and paid for the suite and fitting service before it was finished!

It was a a catalogue of disasters, wrong bath delivered with very grumpy men who kept telling me it was a better one. 3 bathroom sinks were found to be damaged then out of stock. Tiling was not properly done and I was told I should have asked for edging tiles if I did not want raw edges.

The list goes on and on,I sent letters, made numerous phone calls and visits to the store and I was never able to speak to the same person twice. Apparantly no overall manager only duty managers.

I found out that I had been lied to on several ocassions. I was so so frustrated. I wish I had known about this site then, I may have been able to get good advice, I know I felt I was taken advantage of being a woman on her own.

My heartfelt advice is avoid them like the plague.

missymoomoo

Grandmasu wrote: »

Sorry, I have to agree with the people who have had a bad experience. I chose a suite from B&Q and arranged for them to fit, thinking that I might pay more but would get quality.

What a BIG mistake, I had 9 months interest free credit and paid for the suite and fitting service before it was finished!

It was a a catalogue of disasters, wrong bath delivered with very grumpy men who kept telling me it was a better one. 3 bathroom sinks were found to be damaged then out of stock. Tiling was not properly done and I was told I should have asked for edging tiles if I did not want raw edges.

The list goes on and on,I sent letters, made numerous phone calls and visits to the store and I was never able to speak to the same person twice. Apparantly no overall manager only duty managers.

I found out that I had been lied to on several ocassions. I was so so frustrated. I wish I had known about this site then, I may have been able to get good advice, I know I felt I was taken advantage of being a woman on her own.

My heartfelt advice is avoid them like the plague.

Thank you for taking the time to respond - much appreciated!

keystone

If you like the B&Poo suite then by all means buy it from them but decline their fitting service and get an recommended indie to fit it for you. You'll still get some QC / delivery issues but they are no different from any other shed or internet shopfront. Installation problem solved.

Cheers

redmazzy

My friend recently got her bathroom installed by B&Q. The work was very shoddily done, she's had nothing but problems. Now the shower has leaked into the flat below and her neighbours are angry. I would think carefully before using them.