Sacking the kitchen fitter - how much?

meg00

I took on a kitchen fitter to fit my mum's kitchen, including the plumbing work and the tiling.


The guy is hopeless.
It has taken him 10 days to fit 4 floor and 4 wall units.
Wall units have had to come down 3 times as they were not straight, the worktops do not butt together, there are screws sticking out of the plinth, and he has damaged 3 doors, including placing a handle on the wrong side of the door.


I intend sacking him tomorrow, and will get someone else to finish the job, including the tiling. How much do I pay him out of the £2k he quoted for the job?.
Meg.

Browntoa

Nothing if the cost of replacing stuff exceeded his labour

Take loads of pictures in case he attempts to do a money claim online.

tacpot12

If the floor and wall units are now straight you might have to pay him something, but I would work out what the damage is first, particularly whether you need new countertops because he has fitted them so badly that a competent fitter now can't fit them correctly.

Based on your assessment, I would offer him a set amount for the work done to date.

You should ask him how long it will take to complete the work on the cabinets and worktops only and offer him the option of replacing the doors and plinths (and countertops if required) at his own expense if he can complete the work in an acceptable number of days. I would offer him another amount to complete this work. tell him you won't pay if the work isn't to a good standard.

I would tell him that based on the problems so far, you are cancelling the plumbing and tiling work.

Get him to sign something that says £x for the work done to date, £y to finish the cabinets & countertops to a good standard, and the tiling and plumbing work is cancelled. Take photos as above before letting him start any more work.

pinkshoes

10 days to fit 4 wall and 4 floor units??????

That should be less than one day to do that!

Was there something wrong with the walls??

I would offer 1 days labour for the work he has done, less any charges for damage.

What was the time scale agreed initially?

meg00

Just been over to check the work.
It is absolutely appalling.
I can drop my fingers down between the worktops and the wall. The worktops are sitting about an inch above the base unit on what appears to be folded cardboard.The joins are uneven in two places. All the plinths have been fitted upside down. One has already fallen off as the screws were not long enough to hold it, the other cupboard has about 1cm of screw poking through into the cupboard as it is too long. One wall unit tilts to the left, the floor unit underneath tilts to the right.The worktops will need to be replaced (cost £360), Two carcases and five doors will need to be replaced. The carousel has been badley fitted, so won't pull out properly. The whole thing will need to be stripped out and redone.

Pinkshoes,
There is nothing wrong with the walls. No timescale was agreed, as I wanted a good job done for Mum, and appreciate that some people can work faster than others.
I want to throttle this bloke!!!!

Doozergirl

All this can be avoided with some due diligence.

Where did you find him?

meg00

Doozergirl.


Due diligence was observed.


After original fitter let us down, the joiner's business card was obtained from the kitchen supply company.

Checked and Vetted website gave him a 9.91% rating.
Meg.

tacpot12

I would suggest you invite someone from the kitchen supply company to look at what he has done. You won't get anything from them, but they might stop recommending him!

It does sound dreadful, and a long way of what you would expect from a professional fitter.

meg00

Tacpot,


I intend to do that as soon as the kitchen company opens tomorrow at 7.30.
I will also contact Checked and Vetted and let them know how crap and dangerous his work is.


HOWEVER, back to the original question...


I am reluctant to pay this guy anything for the work so far.
I need a replacement cost for the units already fitted (and butchered),
And an estimate from a competent joiner to finish and repair the work.


Do I offer him an opportunity to put right the work so far, and pay him accordingly, or just tell him to sling his hook?.

FreeBear

meg00 wrote: »

Do I offer him an opportunity to put right the work so far, and pay him accordingly, or just tell him to sling his hook?.

Technically, you should give him the opportunity to put right the work done to date. But in view that he has already had the wall units off three times in an attempt to get them level/straight (and still isn't right), give him the boot now.

Before making any offer of payment, find out how much it is going to cost to fix the mistakes to date. If it is more than he claims you owe, then try to get him to pay. Name & shame him on facebook & review sites, and hopefully others won't fall victim.

z1a

meg00 wrote: »

Doozergirl.


Due diligence was observed.


After original fitter let us down, the joiner's business card was obtained from the kitchen supply company.

Checked and Vetted website gave him a 9.91% rating.
Meg.

9.91% - really? So over 90% of people weren't happy.