Advice on paying builder for laminate

ch1183

Hi,

We recently had a builder repair a hallway floor that had had a leak. We were happy with the work and cost and he suggested he would come back to lay the laminate on top. 

Since then we have had a number of issues and would like some advice on how to pay him. 

1) the paint on the walls and doorway is ruined due to carelessness 

2) the threshold is not sitting level, he has returned to ‘fix’ this using silicone sealant but it is actually worse. He stated a saddle would be the best fix, but did not install a saddle.

3) there are glue marks all over my new floor, he has come back to remove these but they are still noticeable. 

The flooring company suggested it would cost approx £175 to install this flooring in the hall. This builder is charging £300 as it took him over 10 hours to complete, is it normal to take so long on a 1x4m hall? 

Can someone help me with how I can negotiate as I do not love the state my hallway has been left in. 

Thanks!

ch1183

Sorry pics didn’t attach first time round 

Anthony147

It all comes done to what was agreed beforehand as clearly he’s not a floor fitter so what did you agree to?

The threshold is either damaged, uneven beneath, bent, too long or really badly installed and the other stuff is just carelessness.

As he’s wanting top dollar and £300 on a 1x4m hallway is top dollar - if pricing wasn’t clear politely point out that’s not a top dollar finish and if he wants £300 it needs rectifying to a top finish.

I’d like to be able to tell you a handyman should have charged £150 at most for it but with trades being scarce prices are up, quality is down and customers are getting gouged.

ch1183

Unfortunately nothing agreed beforehand, our mistake. He charges £30 an hour and we didn’t expect it to take him 10+ to complete such a small area. He seems to think it’s uneven but he installed the floor beneath it too. 

Thanks for responding