Bathroom disaster - what can I do?

rachel42

Hi,

Last year (April) I got a plumber to replace my mum's bathroom.  It all seemed fine, but he refused to repair some water damage to the kitchen below caused by him as he said it was pre-existing.  His attitude to my elderly mother led me to tell him that I didn't want him in the house again.

NOW - I have had to pay over £200 to get another plumber in to repair the toilet and as the one he put in started to over-fill, the pump on the power shower is malfunctioning so it's impossible to have a hot shower and today my mum has called to say that there is a leak coming through the ceiling in another place.

What can I do?

I didn't pay via credit card, so can't do the Section whatever charge back thingy.  Neighbours have advised me that a claim via the small claims court could end up being move expensive.  

The bathroom cost me several thousand pounds but now I am just paying out all over again to repair his shoddy work.

Is there anything I can do?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Anakah6

I think the neighbours might be right and you're just gonna have to chalk this one up to a bad experience. Plenty of cowboy traders out there unfortunately.


In future, use a service like checkatrade or trustatrader where there are certain guarantees.

rob7475

As your nearly a year down the line, there's probably not a great deal you can do. Before attempting to make any claims against him, you've got to give him the opportunity to put things right. Usually, you 'd write to him giving him an amount of time to fix the issues before you take further action.

As you've stated you don't want him in the house, you're a little stuck. I'd try and find a reliable plumber through recommendations to come in and fix the issues you're having. It'll be less stressful in the long run

Rosa_Damascena

Anakah6 said:

I think the neighbours might be right and you're just gonna have to chalk this one up to a bad experience. Plenty of cowboy traders out there unfortunately.


In future, use a service like checkatrade or trustatrader where there are certain guarantees.

No guarantees there either though!

grandadgolfer

Anakah6 said:

I think the neighbours might be right and you're just gonna have to chalk this one up to a bad experience. Plenty of cowboy traders out there unfortunately.


In future, use a service like checkatrade or trustatrader where there are certain guarantees.

Decent tradesmen don't need to advertise on these sites 

plumb1_2

Firstly you should have given him a chance to repair any faulty work 
Plus it depends on who bought the items, shower pump, bathroom etc, was it supply and fit? Or install only,, if the later then onus you sadly to repair/replace the pump.

imo always go on recommendations forget checkatrade etc.

Mutton_Geoff

Anakah6 said:

In future, use a service like checkatrade or trustatrader where there are certain guarantees.

The last place I'd look, or check or trust.

FreeBear

Mutton_Geoff said:

Anakah6 said:

In future, use a service like checkatrade or trustatrader where there are certain guarantees.

The last place I'd look, or check or trust.

Indeed - The one trade that I used via one of those sites has put me off. Personal recommendations and due diligence now.

NSG666

If the pump has failed it's possible that it wasn't fitted correcly e.g. no Surry flange or anti gravity loop. Needs checking and modifying if necessary.