Joiner broke worktop by hacking grooves with a saw

Help1234

Thank you Furts. The truth is I did go into this blind. I’ve never had a kitchen fitted before and I didn’t really know what to ask for and what not to ask for in relation to specifications. I’ve moved to a new area and live pretty far away from family who work themselves.

Aside from relying on my family, is there anything else I could have done differently in this situation? My budget was limited but I like to think that shouldn’t just leave me with cowboys to choose from. How should I go about choosing workmen differently in future? It was Howdens that said they work with him all the time and recommended him.

I am going to need someone to do some tiling and I really am worried about who to trust and how to verify that the next tradesmen won’t claim to be trained in a trade that he’s not. Is there anything that I can do to the best of my ability? I have been trying to research the tiling process.

Thanks

Furts

People talk about recommendations from FB groups or local FB groups. I believe the old fashioned word of mouth, and local advertising are good. Are there local freeby magazines where you are? Is there a local shop with business cards in the window? Are there local groups, be this community, church or whatever that you can tap into?


I am not here to knock Howdens and the product is fine for what one pays. There is an enormous but and that is Howdens price structure with meaningless discounts plus the nasty concept that they recommend builders and fitters but take zero responsibility for idiots that get introduced by them.


Am I being harsh here? No and just to give anecdotal example I intervened when a retired neighbour was going to be ripped off by a builder quoting for his kitchen. Why? Because it was Howdens who put forward this shark and I was not prepared to let it happen. But here you may notice something - I do not suffer fools gladly! You may be critical here and I understand that, but a lesson in life could be to be firm. With a firm and logical aura you are less likely to be taken for a ride by all sorts of folks.


DIY is a learning curve you could try and why not? It gives a sense of achievement, of skills and of pride. Look at youtube videos, or the old fashioned approach of some good books. M&S and Which? (and Readers Digest? not sure here but probably) published good colour DIY Guide books years back and you can find these in charity shops or go online. I suspect they have been re-printed and re-run many times - do a search and see what crops up


Also build yourself up a little tool kit - we are doing this for offspring to encourage much a long the same lines as you I suspect.


Plus think laterally. Why tile when decorators filler, a rub down and coats of vinyl silk could give a lovely job. Vinyl silk will wipe down, you could have contrasting colours. Or a piece of decorated plywood, or a worktop offcut, or worktop upstands are available or all sorts which is where DIY can be creative, and it can be cheap(ish) Tiling will look awful if your preparation is not good - you need an even wall.


Have a think and bounce back if you think folks can chip in more info.

Jimmy_Neutron

Any chance of a photo of the new worktop?