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How do I deal with an unprofessional plumber's work?
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AirBerry
Posts: 40 Forumite
Hello!
I desperately need your help and advice as to what I could do about the work done by a plumber. Here are the details:
Tuesday 17/7/17
Overflow pipe from my hot water cylinder was dripping water. British Gas had already quoted £2,400 to put a new cylinder. To get it done cheaply, I phoned and booked appointments for four different plumbers to give me a quote.
Wednesday 19/7/17
The overflow pipe continued to drip. The first plumber to come to the flat to give a quote was from Plumbing Company Number One. As soon as the plumber saw the cylinder, he said, "This is about to go any minute. If you don't get it replaced, hundred gallons of hot water could all go down on the floor."
This caused a lot of anxiety. This plumber asked for £2,160 to put a new cylinder, including VAT. He said he'll accept £1,800 for cash in hand.
I was afraid of a water leak. So, I opted for the first option. He asked for £200 deposit, in cash. I went to the cash machine and gave it to him.
He gave me a form which said that the deposit had been taken. He also wrote that the work would be carried out on Thursday 20/7 and Friday 21/7/17.
Thursday 20/7/17
The plumber did not turn up. He phoned in the morning to say "I got a contracted work to do. I'll come tomorrow."
Friday 21/7/17:
He arrived in the morning and spent 50 minutes to drain the radiators and the hot water cylinder. Then, he left. He said he'll come on Saturday and install the new cylinder.
Saturday 22/7/17
He and another man came and spent just three hours and 15 minutes. They put in the hot water tank. It looks old. Its sticker has faded. (I have photos. But, I'm not able to upload them to this site. Is there another way?)
Central heating came. But, it would not heat up the rooms upstairs. Also, the bath water's hot water tap would not release water in a trickle.
I had to phone to ask. I was told the plumber would come on Monday to sort it.
Monday 24/7/17
Plumber sorted the radiator. The central heating worked.
But, the bath tub's hot water tub continued to trickle.
Plubmer said he'll come on Tuesday.
Tuesday 25/7/17
Plumber didn't come. I had to phone him. He claimed to be dealing with a gas leak elsewhere. He said he'll come on Wednesday.
Wednesday 26/7/17
Plumber came. He said the bath taps needs to be replaced. It would cost £120. I said I already paid £2,160. For that price, this problem should not be happening. Plus, I never had this problem with the bath's hot water tap before.
Plumber said he'll come on Monday 31/7/17 to put new taps. And he wont' charge me for it. But, "if that don't work, you'll have put in a new pump. That would be about £250."
Monday 31/7/17
He scheduled for his appointment for 8.30 am.
He didn't turn up. At 10 am, I had to phone him. He wouldn't pick it up. Later, he said he is dealing with a gas leak elsewhere. But, he'll come tomorrow morning, at 8 am.
In the mean time, I noticed some problems with the payment. This plumbing company had taken £800 from my bank's debit card on Friday 21/7/17. Then, on Monday 24/7/17, another £1,360 was taken.
This plumbing company had taken the full £2,160. My deposit of £200 has not been deducted. When I phoned the plumber, he told me to speak to his boss. When I phoned his boss, he assured me that I would get the £200 deposit. Yet, a week has passed, I still haven't that money.
So, here are my questions:
1. What can I do? What would you do in these circumstances? My bank account has become overdrawn as a result of this issue. I chose this plumber because I was stressed to hear him say that one hundred gallons of hot water would damage the property if I don't get it replaced as soon as possible. Interestingly, he went on to take another three days to replace the hot water tank.
2. How do I know if the "new tank" is really new? The sticker on it is faded. I asked the plumber for an explanation. He said "water just caused it. It's a brand new Albion tank. I'll get my office to register it. "
3. What might be causing the poor flow of water in to the hot water taps in the bath tub? Could it be that the plumber had picked the wrong hot water cylinder?
4.Is the plumbing industry regulated by the government or another independent body? Is there anything I could do to get this case investigated? What solutions would you advise?
I'm really in a desperate financial situation because of this emergency that had become a possible case of a dishonest and unprofessional plumber.
I would really appreciate your information and advice about what I could do. In the UK of 2017, surely this type of behaviour by plumbers cannot be allowed to happen?
I desperately need your help and advice as to what I could do about the work done by a plumber. Here are the details:
Tuesday 17/7/17
Overflow pipe from my hot water cylinder was dripping water. British Gas had already quoted £2,400 to put a new cylinder. To get it done cheaply, I phoned and booked appointments for four different plumbers to give me a quote.
Wednesday 19/7/17
The overflow pipe continued to drip. The first plumber to come to the flat to give a quote was from Plumbing Company Number One. As soon as the plumber saw the cylinder, he said, "This is about to go any minute. If you don't get it replaced, hundred gallons of hot water could all go down on the floor."
This caused a lot of anxiety. This plumber asked for £2,160 to put a new cylinder, including VAT. He said he'll accept £1,800 for cash in hand.
I was afraid of a water leak. So, I opted for the first option. He asked for £200 deposit, in cash. I went to the cash machine and gave it to him.
He gave me a form which said that the deposit had been taken. He also wrote that the work would be carried out on Thursday 20/7 and Friday 21/7/17.
Thursday 20/7/17
The plumber did not turn up. He phoned in the morning to say "I got a contracted work to do. I'll come tomorrow."
Friday 21/7/17:
He arrived in the morning and spent 50 minutes to drain the radiators and the hot water cylinder. Then, he left. He said he'll come on Saturday and install the new cylinder.
Saturday 22/7/17
He and another man came and spent just three hours and 15 minutes. They put in the hot water tank. It looks old. Its sticker has faded. (I have photos. But, I'm not able to upload them to this site. Is there another way?)
Central heating came. But, it would not heat up the rooms upstairs. Also, the bath water's hot water tap would not release water in a trickle.
I had to phone to ask. I was told the plumber would come on Monday to sort it.
Monday 24/7/17
Plumber sorted the radiator. The central heating worked.
But, the bath tub's hot water tub continued to trickle.
Plubmer said he'll come on Tuesday.
Tuesday 25/7/17
Plumber didn't come. I had to phone him. He claimed to be dealing with a gas leak elsewhere. He said he'll come on Wednesday.
Wednesday 26/7/17
Plumber came. He said the bath taps needs to be replaced. It would cost £120. I said I already paid £2,160. For that price, this problem should not be happening. Plus, I never had this problem with the bath's hot water tap before.
Plumber said he'll come on Monday 31/7/17 to put new taps. And he wont' charge me for it. But, "if that don't work, you'll have put in a new pump. That would be about £250."
Monday 31/7/17
He scheduled for his appointment for 8.30 am.
He didn't turn up. At 10 am, I had to phone him. He wouldn't pick it up. Later, he said he is dealing with a gas leak elsewhere. But, he'll come tomorrow morning, at 8 am.
In the mean time, I noticed some problems with the payment. This plumbing company had taken £800 from my bank's debit card on Friday 21/7/17. Then, on Monday 24/7/17, another £1,360 was taken.
This plumbing company had taken the full £2,160. My deposit of £200 has not been deducted. When I phoned the plumber, he told me to speak to his boss. When I phoned his boss, he assured me that I would get the £200 deposit. Yet, a week has passed, I still haven't that money.
So, here are my questions:
1. What can I do? What would you do in these circumstances? My bank account has become overdrawn as a result of this issue. I chose this plumber because I was stressed to hear him say that one hundred gallons of hot water would damage the property if I don't get it replaced as soon as possible. Interestingly, he went on to take another three days to replace the hot water tank.
2. How do I know if the "new tank" is really new? The sticker on it is faded. I asked the plumber for an explanation. He said "water just caused it. It's a brand new Albion tank. I'll get my office to register it. "
3. What might be causing the poor flow of water in to the hot water taps in the bath tub? Could it be that the plumber had picked the wrong hot water cylinder?
4.Is the plumbing industry regulated by the government or another independent body? Is there anything I could do to get this case investigated? What solutions would you advise?
I'm really in a desperate financial situation because of this emergency that had become a possible case of a dishonest and unprofessional plumber.
I would really appreciate your information and advice about what I could do. In the UK of 2017, surely this type of behaviour by plumbers cannot be allowed to happen?
0
Comments
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Sorry how much?
I got mine replaced for £250 2 years ago0 -
Do a chargeback on your debit card0
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Here is a link that shows the photos of the supposedly "new hot water tank."
https://twitter.com/Lady_Benedict0 -
glentoran99 wrote: »Do a chargeback on your debit card
I didn't this would be possible until I saw your post. Thank you. I just googled to find out that I could apply. But, what if the plumbing company causes more problems? Any one else been in this type of case?0 -
glentoran99 wrote: »Sorry how much?
I got mine replaced for £250 2 years ago
£2,160 to replace an old hot water tank and replace it with this one: Does it even look new?
https://twitter.com/Lady_Benedict0 -
I didn't this would be possible until I saw your post. Thank you. I just googled to find out that I could apply. But, what if the plumbing company causes more problems? Any one else been in this type of case?
I would rather be on the end of them chasing me for money than me trying to chase them, and once your happy with the work you pay0 -
That's pathetic, old tank and terrible install. Flexi pipes on cold and I can see the pump is not fitted right.0
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£2,160 to replace an old hot water tank and replace it with this one: Does it even look new?
https://twitter.com/Lady_Benedict
I really don't know, more than likely is 'new' but just been lying around in storage for a while, I don't think anyone would re-use an old tank
The price seems totally shocking to me, But you were quoted similar elsewhere,0 -
Also 1st meter of any pipework on cyclinder should be lagged for building regs.0
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