Any way to sort a useless bathroom fitter out?

MaggieBaking

Try calling a local plumber and get them round to quote on connecting up the toilet - it might only be a few pounds and you will have a sink in the kitchen and hopefully know someone nearby to shower in?

People don't feel the need to hurry without an incentive - unfortunately it seems you've also told him your actual deadline for moving in? As well as advice on money - always say you need something sooner than you do in order to pre-empt any delays.

Demand someone from the showroom (who I assume came round to help design the bathroom?) to come and have a look at the work so far asap.

Phone the original plumber from 7am Monday and keep ringing till you speak to him. Once you speak to him tell him that you are moving in and does he think it's acceptable to have no functioning bathroom after he's had 5 weeks to complete it? Tell him that you are arranging someone from the showroom to come and view the works on Wednesday so it would seem good for business to have as much done by then.

If he says he'll be round later, say "sooner is preferable" and after he answers push him for a time. An exact time. If you're not happy with the time he tells you say you need to see him sooner than that to get the works arranged immediately.

Then ring 15 minutes before he's due just to say "Hi, it's Grimbal, just checking you're on your way?" keep ringing every 10-15 minutes till he's turned up. If he avoids your calls, ring from every conceivable number you can find, get your friends to ring etc on every business number you can find.

Now, you're going to hassle him until he does the work and push him to do it quickly. He's bound to bodge the last few bits and pieces to get them done. Make sure you're present to ensure it's done to a good standard, tell him that the people from the showroom are coming to check up on it so he has an incentive to do it right. Do not pay him until you have had 7 days to settle in and ensure the quality of the work. Should he complain I would say "I was expecting to have completed all payments by 17th August (or whenever you first imagined the bathroom to be finished.) I have not caused this delay, so I am sure you don't mind waiting a couple of days for me to double check the final work." If necessary, pay a different bathroom installer to come and give it the once over, they will soon tell you if anything's wrong as they will hope to be given the business to put it right.

You might feel awkward doing all this, but remember - he is the one who is putting you in this situation and you are only making him feel half the stress you do. Don't let him say "I'll be round later" push for specifics and demand he stands by his word.

Grimbal

thanks for your input everyone.

Well, after a very fraught morning of phone calls between various parties, the summary of the state of play is that we've said that if he doesn't get a functional bathroom (so not including lights, towel rail etc) by Tuesday then we'll appoint another guy, and take him to the small claims court to recover costs.

The bathroom supplier is behind us as far as we can tell - they're making all the right noises & have said that they have taken a strip off of him. They have made it clear however, that they are not in on the loop as, although the fitter was approved by them, the contract is between us and the fitter, not the bathroom showroom. We have still retained a good working relationship with the showroom, but relations between us and the installer are a little on the frosty side !


One of the showroom staff did let slip that he also hasn't been doing the work on another bathroom installation that was running a bit in front of ours - makes me wonder where on earth he's been for 5 weeks!