Any advice please? Nightmare situation...

RedfordML

Long story short...

We paid a plumber to install a new en-suite at the cost of £3k.

8 weeks on, its still leaking. Plumber is now refusing to take responsibility and in messages has quoted “I’ve done all I can to find a solution” and “I’m out of ideas”

To us, we’ve paid in good faith for a shower to be fitted and working.

He now states he isn’t going to come out to us anyomore “free of charge” but we argue how can we be left £3k down and with no shower?

What are our options? How do we go about court action if required?

We had to get a mastic guy out as “it’s out of my area of expertise” yet the plumber refused to pay and only offered to pay half.

Absolute at my wits end with it all. Just want it ripped out and down again but at no extra cost as we feel let down.

Would love some advice. Thanks.

anselld

A plumber who cannot fix a shower leak or apply silicone correctly is not a plumber. Where did you find him? Was he recommended?

Unfortunately, you are going to need and actual plumber to fix it. I suspect you will need to get someone in (recommended) and pay for the fix then make a claim against the original plumber based on the findings of the new plumber.

Is it just a tiled tray/cubicle? There aren't that many places to leak to be honest.

RedfordML

This is a 5* highly recommended plumber.

He’s even getting reviews in the last week or so on bathrooms he’s done!

We’ve been very unlucky. It doesn’t make any sense to why it’s leaking. We are getting a couple of other plumbers in to advise.

anselld

RedfordML wrote: »

This is a 5* highly recommended plumber.

Sorry, but that is not consistent with ...

RedfordML wrote: »

We had to get a mastic guy out as “it’s out of my area of expertise”

There are ways and means of getting 5* reviews.

babyblade41

My advice is to get an independent plumber to see what is wrong and quote for the works to be rectified.. also needs to have a written quote so it can be reproduced ..maybe two separate ones.

Get the work rectified and claim against first mr bodge..sorry plumber )in the loose sense of the word)

Keep all messages for future reference.

The work will need to be done and expect it to cost and hope you can claim off the first.

Revues depending on where they are are not always true... for any building work it's best to get recommendations from people you know and see their other work which has completed to a high standard

G_M

At least 2 ideally 3 written quotes to rectify.

Get the work done, then claim off the 1st plumber. Sue if he refuses o pay.

5* reviews where? Please don't say one of the commercial trader websites......!

What qualifications?
Which professional body?


(and for the next person reading this, never pay the final invoice till you're sure the work is complete.....)

Alan2020

Some more information please
Any pictures? Please upload for opinions
£3k includes items or just workmanship, if all sounds too low, might be the issue.
What is leaking, if the white goods you provided you will generally have to pay.
Was this a refurb or a newly created en-suite.

There are only few things that can leak, it’s not rocket science.
Where I live a basic bathroom will cost £8k excluding vat let’s say £10k, I am struggling to imagine what sort of bathroom you will get for £3K. Even if I diy the materials will be nearly 2k if not 3k and I can see why your plumber won’t be bothered.

I think putting these down people can help find a solution

jonnygee2

We had to get a mastic guy out as “it’s out of my area of expertise”

And it didn't ring any alarm bells to find out your 'plumber' considers the simple application of sealant an area 'outside of his expertise'?

I think you've been taken for a ride. Agree with GM, get a real plumber in to do it, then try and reclaim the money.

Rhuey46

If the plumber doesn't have any more ideas, it seems that they didn't have the experience to complete the job in the first place. You will have to try agree with the original plumber to get someone else in to fix the problem at the original plumbers expense.

If they are unwilling to do this, and you can't negotiate a mutual compromise, you could try and get the work done (or a reasonable quote) and initiate a civil money claim against them.

This is not legal advice by any means, I would always consult someone with relevant knowledge first. From what I understand, a money claim relies on trying to come to an agreement first before taking legal action.

theartfullodger

HOW did you pay him & have you got quote/estimate/receipt?


If ".... knock xx% off for cash mate..." you're on your own...

Alan2020

jonnygee2 wrote: »

And it didn't ring any alarm bells to find out your 'plumber' considers the simple application of sealant an area 'outside of his expertise'?

I think you've been taken for a ride. Agree with GM, get a real plumber in to do it, then try and reclaim the money.

Just for your information in the building trade sealant is not applied by a plumber. It is generally done by a sealant applicator, and they do have an NVQ in Mastic Application and get paid by length of application.

When we had our bathroom done (well over £15K job) the sealant was not applied by the plumber but by a separate tradesperson. And yes you can tell the difference.

I know people will think I am joking but it is a specialist job, just like tiling or plastering!

https://www.indeed.co.uk/viewjob?jk=9ebe5c1314c8bbff&tk=1d3kblcsj930u802&from=vjnewtab



:rotfl: