New Bathroom problem

ossie48

We had a new bathroom fitted 13 months ago. The tiler / fitter was recommended by a major bathroom supplier ie card in showroom scenario. I sourced all of the parts from this supplier and the fitter did the job.

The fitter insisted we fit a bath panel that matched the rest of the built in units rather than the usual plastic bath panel.. I agreed and it did look good - until it started to delaminate along its length and has basically 'blown' all along the edge of the bath.

The panel has a 5 year guarantee and the supplier supplied a new one. The issue is that its not a simple replacement (and I've replaced plenty of the traditional bath panels - they usually crack).In this case the fitted units directly adjoin the bath panel and it appears that to replace it will mean removing the units next to the panel including the sink as well as plinths etc..

How do I stand with the fitter. Its probably half a days work and I guess its not his fault the panel has blown, however he kind of fobbed me off saying he would get back to me and isn't replying to e mails. He previously failed to get back over a minor issue that I managed to sort out. He gave a 1 year warranty on the work and this happened within the 12 months but he could argue he fitted it correctly and its a manufacturing fault.

Do I have any recourse with the supplier. They replaced the panel without a fuss but did question if it had been fitted properly..

We're a little stuck in what to do next .

Doozergirl

This is what you have when you source your own fittings. You take on the risk of them being faulty.

You save money on the overall project, and if nothing goes wrong you are quids in, but if something does go wrong with a product then you need to take it on the chin. If it's only a panel, even with some jiggery pokery because it's been fitted in a certain way to look more expensive, you're probably still better than had someone supplied and fitted the whole bathroom.

You can use your fitter, but you should pay them. Or you use someone else.

phill99

Firstly, the fitter wasn't recommended by the supplier. A card in a suppliers showroom is not a recommendation.


The issue is that in a labour own contract is that you take on responsibility if there are issues with the parts.


He may have genuinely recommended the bath panel in good faith.


Unfortunately it will be down to you to pay for refitting.

spadoosh

How much is it going to be to get someone to fit it?

Im initially thinking that the fitter hasnt sealed the panel properly after cutting it which would be their fault. However between the choice of say paying someone £40 to refit it and chasing up someone you know has been unreliable id be taking the hit... or trying to fit it myself.

ossie48

Thanks for the replies. Both the supplier and fitter know each other. The supplier calls him his ' number 1 fitter' and obviously pushes work his way hence giving me his card in the showroom. The fitter reciprocates and when doing the plans included the suppliers fittings etc.

It worked well actually as he was able to simply take parts back and replace them / make minor changes to the plans etc using the suppliers range.. I do however accept they were separate contracts and thats the risk you take !.

I don't have a quote yet. I've no issue with paying the original fitter but he's gone cold on me even though I originally suggested we can sort out some sort of payment.

Its such a shame to pick it all apart as it really did look good and although I'm a DIYer I'd probably struggle removing units and the sink etc.

I might pop down and see if the supplier can recommend someone else to put it right