kitchen advice

houseowner81

Hi all, just wondering if i could get some advice. I have had a small extension done on side of kitchen. Work should be completed this week (going into week 9, was told it would take 4-6 weeks). I ordered the kitchen and originally wanted the kitchen company to fit it but my builder was insistent in his crowd doing it. I let him and the kitchen was delivered but had to be left in shell of extension as it was not ready to go in.

Told builder I was not too happy with this as it could have been kept in storage. He said he wanted to keep his workers busy and on the job because we had a problem with plumber (that's another story!) I said I don't care as long as kitchen.is installed correctly, cleaned and looks good. He said he also be looking for next payment this week but I don't want to pay unless kitchen is immaculate. Not sure if I am being petty but here are my issues (kitchen units contribute to nearly 1/4 of price of all works....apologies for long winded rant)

Kitchen was installed before kitchen was plastered or painted.....is this normal?

Kitchen has been plastered and primed but its clear that cabinets were not covered as there are plaster stains....looks like it will wipe off but I made it clear that I want it all covered and he said it would be.

I can see from under cupboards were nails are in it has splintered wood....it should not be a safety issue and you can't see it but it looks damaged as far as I'm concerned.

scratch on workgroup....Will mean potentially moving whole workgroup but they have been leaving stuff on it

They have had to cut some panels and basically doesn't look smooth

Looks like cupboard the have put boiler in has panels on one side wrong way round....this may be kitchen supplier fault but surely builders should have questioned it?

Looks like they have used new sink with dirt and primed in it....should wash out but I specifically Said not to use it (tap outside they can use)

With electrics.....do I need a certificate to show what work was done?

With boiler..... same again, do I need cert? It was moved. Builder also trying to charge me extra 200 for moving boiler. Won't go into specifics but am I entitled to ask specifically what this is for and receipts? I think some of cost may be going to labour because he had to get someone in on a days notice on a Saturday. This was builders fault due to complications and me threatening to get someone else in because we were without hot water for over a week


Any comments welcome

Thank you

phill99

You should plaster before kitchen goes. But the plaster will wipe.

You aren't entitled to see receipts from the builder. Just like you aren't allowed to see receipts from B &Qs suppliers if you buy something from them.

You need certs from electricians and gas fitters.

PheoUK

Did the builders quote include moving the boiler? What basis is the contract on? Fixed price? Did you variate the original contract in any way? Did you have a fully completed quote on letterhead paper, or just an estimate?

Regarding the kitchen, I think you need to state your expectations (as you said you have), and then leave them to get on with it. I would withhold final payment until these items have been resolved.

That having been said, you need to be a little realistic as well. Building is hard, messy work, and some things will go wrong. As long as the are rectified, then no issue.

houseowner81

Thank you For the reply.

With the boiler, we were planning to have it on opposite wall. Moving boiler was included in price. Kitchen crowd suggested moving it on new wall of extension. The current wall it was on was knocked down but the new location meant it was moving it about a foot instead of over 6 feet across room. When new walls went up I was concerned that there may not be enough space but was reassured there would be. The plan was flue to go out wall and there were no concerns with this.

Original plumber gas/man was there for a day but because of family issue it was there for a day. Second plumber was arranged (meant we were without hot water for week instead of 3 days). This plumber then was it there for a day and never came back. Only at this stage were we told flue Had to go through roof instead of wall because of rsjs.was told there would be cost of bout £30 for roof tile/work and then more for plumbing. I.appreciate changes in costs and has happened already but surely builder could have potentially foreseen this problem? I didn't mind too much as long as cost was not too much. All I wanted was hot water back. Told the builder if he gave me cost of work how much would it cost for plumber. He was adamant in saying it would not be as cheap as his guys. Told him I try anyway and ask round. Amazingly he managed to find someone else to do work when he.knew I was looking round...why couldn't he asked for new plumber when he knew he was losing first one? Convenient he finds someone when he knows I'm looking. Then I find cost over 200! This contradicts what he said to be that if we originally had boiler across room it be more expensive....even though this was in his original quote?

Hope that makes sense? Just angry and frustrated because of extreme lack of communication through whole.job

houseowner81

PheoUK wrote: »

Did the builders quote include moving the boiler? What basis is the contract on? Fixed price? Did you variate the original contract in any way? Did you have a fully completed quote on letterhead paper, or just an estimate?

Regarding the kitchen, I think you need to state your expectations (as you said you have), and then leave them to get on with it. I would withhold final payment until these items have been resolved.

That having been said, you need to be a little realistic as well. Building is hard, messy work, and some things will go wrong. As long as the are rectified, then no issue.

Builders quote included moving boiler to suitable location in kitchen and was included in overall fixed price. Was full quote on letterhead.

Have tried to let them get on with it but they wanted to install kitchen themselves instead of.Kitchen company. Spent more on kitchen than I originally intended so just want no problems. Peeved off it hasn't been covered, same goes for.my cooker which is now covered in dirt and plaster. Appreciate it's messy work, lack.of communication and people not showing.up has been frustrating. I know it's not there issue but wife is due very soon so just want them out