What should I do now?

mose_2

Hi, We have recently had our kitchen ripped out an refitted by a builder who is a the husband of my wifes work collegue. He's done a good job apart from a couple of bits that need doing. We bought a cooker hood to match the cooker and he messed up cutting the chimney part. This was back in april, I have spoke to and texted him many times and he just says that he has ordered a replacement 4 times but they have all been damaged and then goes on to ask me what the model number is again which makes it obvious he hasn't ordered it at all. We also had new french doors fitted by him which dont close properly,I have to use all my strenth to get them to lock, He said that one of them is bowed which I dont belive as the other one is the same. This has gone on too long now and I'm starting to get annoyed but my wife has got to work with his. His wife doesn't get involved in any of his business so we cant ask her. What should I do now I just want the kitchen finished properly which we have paid for. I know I shouldn't of paid him but as it was only a couple of little things left and we know him we thought he would do them asap. What should I do about the doors as he is saying there is nothing he can do as they are bowed.

Thanks.

phill99

This is always the pproblem of employing friends or family to do work for you: when it goes wrong it is a nightmare to sort out.

He has had ample opportunity to sort out the problems and is obviously messing you around. I would take the bull by the horn and send him a letter by recoreded deivery asking for the works to be rectified within 14 days or you will take action in the small claims court.

I know your wife has to work with his but this is business and not a personal thing.

Really you should have held money back (say £250) until the cooker hood was replaced and the door sorted.

andrew-b

As well as the obvious issues you have...

Are they registered with FENSA/CertAss in order to self-certify the installation of the french doors and if so do you have the right paperwork? If not did you have building control around to inspect the french doors to comply with building regs? If you haven't then it could become an issue at time of resale because of missing paperwork.

If electric works were carried out in the kitchen then it would also have required compliance with Part P building regs...again ideally you need relevant paperwork to comply with building regs. Similar issues if any gas works were carried out.

mose_2

He is not registered with fensa as far as im aware. But he is saying the doors are bowed and he cant do anything about it.

oz0707

You don't need to be fensa registered to fit a pair of patio doors, that is Scaremongering. As long as they were fitted correctly if there was ever any issue - re sale- (doubtful) you would be able to have them inspected and signed off.

andrew-b

oz0707 wrote: »

You don't need to be fensa registered to fit a pair of patio doors, that is Scaremongering. As long as they were fitted correctly if there was ever any issue - re sale- (doubtful) you would be able to have them inspected and signed off.

No you don't have to be FENSA or CertAss registered to fit them but that is not what i actually said. It is however advisable to ensure you have the relevant paperwork so it doesn't come back to bite later on. That supporting paperwork does not exist may reflect the character of this particular builder if they made no attempt to make the OP aware of the need for it. How many other jobs has the builder done that didn't comply with building regs that are far more dangerous than this one?

Building regs are there for a reason and without compliance the french doors could be dangerous - whether it be a missing lintel, doors jamming which may prevent escape in fire or say non-safety glass being used that a child might run into.

If i were the OP once the remaining issues are resolved i would get in contact with building control and arrange to inspect. It will probably cancel out any saving made by getting "mates rates" though.

muckybutt

As said above, send a LBA ( Letter Before Acrtion ) give them precise details of the work you are unhappy with and give them a time limit to reply in ( usually 14 days ), state that failure to reply in writing within the time limit you will proceed to court action to recover costs for the replacement of the faulty doors and the damaged cooker hood.

Send it recorded so you have proof of delivery and will also have a signature.

Doors would come into sale of goods act, not fit for the purpose they were desinged for.

mose_2

Well he is saying one of the doors is bowed so there is nothing he can do apart from change them with B&Q. As for mates rates well he didn't do us any favours put it that way!

sparkiedave

Did he supply the doors, or did you pay for them directly, if they are faulty then you have a warranty issue with the suppliers,
If the guys wife doesn't have anything to do with his business, then she shouldn't need to have anything to do with your argument with him!

ritesh

Hi

I would not worry about the fact that he is the husband of your wife's work colleague, he obviously is not!

As above business is business. Send recorded letter with timelines of when you expect works to be finished or a portion of the money back to rectify issue. As sparkiedave mentioned, who supplied the door? does it need planning? does it genuinely need to be replaced due to it being bowed.

mose_2

I bought the doors from B&Q. They shut but to get it to lock I have to wrench the handle up and hold it there while I lock it. my wife cant even do it by herself which is a problem when she is here without me as she cant really have the doors open incase she cant shut them again.