Shoddy building work - can I expose company?

BOS_Kicked

Hello,

I've recently had a new bathroom installed and to put it bluntly it was poor. I've just submitted my snagging list to the company, who have said they will review and get back to me.

I've documented everything and taken photographs of all the issues. If they reject my snagging list or any of the items on it, what course of action can I legally take to name and shame the company? I'm in Scotland if that makes any legal difference.

I'm thinking of a Facebook page entitled 'Company X did this to my bathroom' with the images and descriptions.

I'm not talking anything minor - things like it was too time consuming to plaster the walls as discussed so they've just used plaster board, meaning the walls now overshoot the skirting and door frame. The toilet leaks, they've not used a spirit level so both the sink and bath lean, the wet wall has been damaged during installation and is poorly applied etc. etc.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Furts

I suggest your approach is flawed. If the work is defective the company should not be paid. Hence the defective work has not hit you financially.

If you have paid then the one has to ask why. Equally, the installation company would argue that you paid, therefore you were happy with the work.

Add to this why did you use them? Did you do suitable checks on work and references before using them? If not then you may be naming and shaming a company to little effect.

Your efforts should be focused on rectifying the issues. Only if this fails should you consider other options.

BOS_Kicked

Hi Furts - thanks for your reply.

My focus is completely on rectifying the issues - it is the home I live in with my family. I was really just looking forward so that I was ready come what may.

I did feel that I did suitable checks to previous work and references, but the issue seems to be that the previous manager (who I spoke to initially and who quoted the job) has since left the company, taking with him serveral employees. The new manager is sub-contracting all the work, so it doesn't seem that my checks are comparing like-for-like; it's essentially a different company now. I did not know this until after the work had commenced.

The contract I had required a payment up front, one part way through the job and one upon completion. The outstanding completion payment is around 40% of the total cost and hasn't yet been paid (as I don't consider the work complete). I gathered several quotes (it's a claim being made through insurance) and they all had similar terms.

Furts

Has the insurance company paid you the money you require for the job?

40% represents what sum, and what work could you then get for this money? For example a competent carpenter could do a lot for you in three days, say around £600. For example, the plasterboard might be OK provided it is trimmed and a corner bead put on - but is it suitable for bathrooms? .

BOS_Kicked

£1360 is the outstanding balance. The insurance have paid me all but around £600 - this is the VAT element and they will pay this to me directly, once the work is complete and I've received a final invoice.

Is there plasterboard that isn't good for bathrooms?! Hadn't even considered this. I have asked for it to be removed anyway and for the plastering that they quoted for to be done. The plasterboard was a change to the spec that they didn't discuss with me.

Nothing in the bathroom is finished to any standard - they've used the tape style sealant around the bath which isn't even holding, just two days after 'completion'. The mitreing of the trim at the top and edges of the wet wall is awful and the wet wall itself is cracked and dented in areas. Also, the claim is due to a leak from the above flat - the bathroom ceiling was supposed to come down and be replaced and they haven't done that either.

Although you hear horror stories, you never think you'll be part of one.

Despite this, as you say, i'm still focused on getting the job rectified. I've told them I don't want the contractor that carried out the work back in my house and that they should instruct another, but i'm happy for them to oversee this. I know a good job is possible I just fear they might be obtrusive despite all the failings, as this job will probably have to go back to square one and end up costing them money. I feel I need ammo in case this materializes.