Problems with bathroom fitting - what to do?

violettasomerset

We are having our bathroom refitted at the moment and it's taking much longer than originally estimated. More fool us, we accepted an estimate rather than a quote, as "Bob" said he only provides estimates in case there are issues that come up. That was fine, we didn't mind if it took a day or two longer, these things happen and his rates were good. We'd had him to do another small job which we were happy with, and I called the references he gave and they were all very pleased with the job he did (though one did comment he was slow).

Originally Bob said 9 days (including adding an extractor fan, which we decided not to do in the end, so that should have saved half a day). End of first week he was half a day behind, not a problem, we were happy with the quality of his work. We are now at day 13 and I'd say at Bob's current rate it's still got at least 2 or 3 days left. Granted, there was a leak which took out a day (which he said he won't charge for, just as well). I swear he's taken at least a day trying to get the toilet not to leak, spread over about 3 days - apparently the connectors don't link the new toilet to the old (1960s) waste pipe, but that can't be an uncommon issue and I can't help but think a trip to the plumbers merchant with the measurements of all the parts might be in order now. Every day this week I've gone home thinking "he must have got the flooring in by now" or "he must have finished the ceiling" but I get home and it's still not done, and it looks like he's done very little.

When he gets the work done, he does give a good finish, we've no complaints about that (tiling done so far is good, bath is sturdy) it's just he seems to take so long doing anything. We're only around part of the time so can't keep an eye, though my OH has doubts about how long he spends at the house (not major but his day seems to be nearer 6-6.5hr rather than 7-7.5hr). Other than telling him to pull his finger out, what can we do? We'd hoped to have a finished or near finished bathroom last weekend, now I'm not sure if we'll get it this weekend! And what can we do about paying if we think he's taken unreasonably long?

macman

Unless you agreed with him that it would be completed within a set period or penalties would apply, I can't believe that you're considering paying him less just because he's taking longer?
Unless of course he's going to bill you on a day rate, rather than the estimated amount. I'd be more worried about that.
Why don't you just have a conversation with him about 1) any extra costs and b) completion date?

violettasomerset

Macman - no of course we wouldn't pay him less than the 9 days he estimated, it's the additional day rate (for the extra 4 days and counting) that we're concerned about. We're worried that because he's on the day rate that's partly why he's dragging his feet, as we don't know if he's got more work lined up - I guess not immediately though - or is stretching this out.

"Why don't you just have a conversation with him about 1) any extra costs and b) completion date? "

You make it sound so simple! of course this is what we should do but we couldn't think of a way to say this without sounding confrontational. Your wording is very good. thank you!

macman

I'm afraid that if you've agreed a day rate then he really has no incentive to get it finished.Too late now, but you should never have agreed that. A day or two over might be OK, if he's intending to charge 50% more than the estimate then you need to have the conversation sooner than later.