Joiner broke worktop by hacking grooves with a saw

Tom99

I paid £380 for two men for one day to fit worktop and build an oven housing, fit new tap.

Furts

Help1234 wrote: »

What are you talking about? I got 3 different quotes for labour only and all came in at that price. Nice try turning their botch job round on me and making me the bad person. I gave them the job in good faith that they wouldn’t hack my worktop to death. At no point have I “not been up front” about money. No one has at any point asked me about costs but I have volunteered that information myself anyway earlier on. £800 for what was supposed to be for 2 days I did not think was bad and I didn’t know when this was quoted to me that two men would be doing the job. This is my first home and I apologise for being a novice, but you Furts are an internet troll.

I suggest you ask some deep and searching questions. Then say " I have learnt something from this experience" Education is never cheap, but if you do not make the same mistakes next time then something positive will come out of all this.

You have been asked about the overhang - we have no response. You have been asked about the detail at the Belfast Sink - again no response.

You have been advised not to replace the worktop with the same again - we do not know what you decided.

We have asked was it labour only or supply and fit. As time ticks along we think you went labour only which is always a risky, if not unwise, decision. Damage to items supplied on a labour only basis is always an issue because the tradesperson has no financial incentive to respect the item.

We do not know how you selected your "joiners" nor what checks and due diligence you did on them. It is clear you did not ask a simple question which is how many men will be doing the job and how long will it take.

You have given these men free run of your home, and they have now done a runner with your keys. Not a wise decision, all the more so if they are strangers. Not only is security a concern, one has to ask about safety - what have you agreed in accordance with the CDM regulations and one has to ask how you are managing and inspecting the work.

What comes across is a poor quality, totally unsuitable, worktop was purchased. It appears no Specification was drawn up for the job, nor any inspection of the work in progress so fitting, overhangs, drips were never part of the requirements.

The job went wrong, which is not surprising. However you could have gone to a kitchen company, used their expertise, and had a good quality worktop fitted on a supply and fit basis. You would have been present to answer any queries, inspect the work, comply with safety, safeguard your security and retain your keys.

All this that I am writing is everyday matters. Hence I am pointing this out to you. In return you do not like being told this. I regard all this as being the actions of a careful, informed, consumer, you regard my approach as being that of an internet troll.

Norman_Castle

^ Is the op on trial?

This "joiner" guestimated two days and quoted accordingly. Its taken four days and he's still not finished and had to replace the worktop.
A competent fitter would have sorted the details. The op's mistake was choosing this person.

Furts

Norman_Castle wrote: »

^ Is the op on trial?

This "joiner" guestimated two days and quoted accordingly. Its taken four days and he's still not finished and had to replace the worktop.
A competent fitter would have sorted the details. The op's mistake was choosing this person.

Absolutely, but OP appears to have chosen an unsatisfactory worktop, so the mistake has been picking the wrong person coupled with the wrong materials.

But there is the delicate additional area - if we are frank and honest OP probably went about the entire "job" in a less than thorough manner.

Hopefully OP will learn from this experience, otherwise as good citizens we do not progress.

fezster

Furts wrote: »

Absolutely, but OP appears to have chosen an unsatisfactory worktop, so the mistake has been picking the wrong person coupled with the wrong materials.

But there is the delicate additional area - if we are frank and honest OP probably went about the entire "job" in a less than thorough manner.

Hopefully OP will learn from this experience, otherwise as good citizens we do not progress.

Furts, none of which you have said I can disagree with, it's all sound advice. But the tone towards OP is completely unwarranted.

Whilst it may be prudent for a consumer to research thoroughly and plan out everything to the minute detail before employing a professional, it should not be their responsibility. Nor should it be implied it is their responsibility. Not everyone has the time, inclination, or ability to learn the trade in which they are employing someone to complete a job in their home. This is why people employ professionals.

If OP is to be told anything it is only to vet the person they are hiring more thoroughly in future. Personal recommendation is usually best.

Help1234

Furts I am not answering a single one of your questions as the sole purpose of your request for these answers is so you can then attack and bash me with them. You need to take a long hard look at yourself and ask why you derive pleasure in causing people upset from your keyboard.
All I will say is - this is my first home. It was supposed to be filled with excitement and this has been a horrible experience. The joiner I was recommended by the kitchen company and when I then searched for him online I saw lots of people on Facebook recommending him. Yes I don’t know if they are genuine or not. But I am new to the area and dont know anyone myself so this was the best I had to go on. Whoever I went with would have been a risk. I know nothing about fitting kitchens or trade which is why I thought I hired what was a professional.

Furts

Help1234 wrote: »

Furts I am not answering a single one of your questions as the sole purpose of your request for these answers is so you can then attack and bash me with them. You need to take a long hard look at yourself and ask why you derive pleasure in causing people upset from your keyboard.
All I will say is - this is my first home. It was supposed to be filled with excitement and this has been a horrible experience. The joiner I was recommended by the kitchen company and when I then searched for him online I saw lots of people on Facebook recommending him. Yes I don!!!8217;t know if they are genuine or not. But I am new to the area and dont know anyone myself so this was the best I had to go on. Whoever I went with would have been a risk. I know nothing about fitting kitchens or trade which is why I thought I hired what was a professional.

I am not trying to bash you. I am trying to guide you. That is a purpose of this Forum. With this guidance I am trying to infuse a sense of realism. I would love every trades man and woman to be perfect, I would love all materials suppliers to be perfect,and I would love all recommendations to be perfect. Unfortunately life is not like this and we all have to be in the real world.

None of us can shut the stable door after the horse has bolted. This means you can only look on all your experiences, toss them into a hat, then weigh up what you have learnt from your first home purchase. That way when you next engage trades people, or when you purchase your next home then you will be wiser.

Folks say you should not be instructing trades people on specifications, on requirements, or on inspection. In a perfect world this might be the case, but in the real world to not do so can lead to many problems.

I feel for your situation and suggest you get family, a friend, or a colleague, to act as a guide to ease you through your future works.

Going it alone can lead to all sorts of issues. Go forward with a mindset, and a strategy to avoid the "horrible experience" you have so far encountered.

Help1234

Thank you Furts, I appreciate that more considered response.
Best wishes

SuzieSue

Help1234 wrote: »

Thank you Furts, I appreciate that more considered response.
Best wishes

Yes what Furts is saying is correct and unfortunately, a lot of people (me included) only learn by making expensive mistakes.

I wish this forum (and Furts) had been around when I purchased my first kitchen. I could have ended up in the same situation as you but I was very lucky that I was allocated a very good fitter (I only saw the nightmare reviews from other customers after my kitchen was fitted). But it was pure luck. I went on recommendation but I should have done much more due diligence. Now I always do.

Furts

Help1234 wrote: »

Thank you Furts, I appreciate that more considered response.
Best wishes

Just to let you know I feel for your situation I have recently assisted family members move into their first home. What you have been through is an absolute joy compared to what they have been through. But with family help, many days of voluntary labour, and the right mindset they have pulled through this. One day they will look back and shake their heads in disbelief that this stressful situation was ever experienced.


Everybody worked as a team using their strengths. Then because of this there was a positive outcome. The older folks had the practical knowledge, the younger ones the phoning, the web searching, the goffing and the tea making.


So over to you Help1234, I can recommend this approach - do you wish to consider it as your default, or your Plan B?


Enjoy your new home, be strong, be decisive and be positive. I wish you well.