That (bathroom) sinking feeling

GlitterQueen_2

I have had a complete bathroom renovation. The work is in the end stages. I bought fitted bathroom furniture which accommodated a semi recessed sink. However, I bought a counter top sink. The installer has fitted the counter top sink which I will need a step to access. I have spoken to the installer about this and he said: 1) Yes the furniture has a panel that is usually cut out for a semi recessed sink 2) Despite that he just fitted whatever came out of the box 3) His team and himself didn't realise the sink height would be a problem because they are all tall. The quote for this work includes a hefty project management fee. This is not the only problem to have been caused by what I feel is a lack of planning/preparation  and overall care on behalf of the contractor but it is certainly the most serious. The only way to remedy this is to remove the countertop and fit a new sink which potentially will lead to having to order new furniture if it is damaged when the counter top comes off. The plumber had indicated that  any remedial work will be at my cost. Citizens Advice have said that I am 'protected' by Consumer Regulations 2015 and that I am within my rights to 'ask' the contractor to do the work at no extra cost. I've also read however that it is notoriously difficult to get a contractor to agree to this. We are talking around £1500 retail for materials to fix this. Guidance/suggestions anyone? Please feel free to ask questions for clarification since this is just a summary 

Diamandis

Its really going to come down to exactly what you asked of them. 

GlitterQueen_2

My position is that I asked them to complete my bathroom renovation with all due skill and care. I agreed to a hefty project management fee to avoid things like this happening expecting planning/preparation and consultation from them. All the issues experienced would have been avoided if the fitters had checked all the equipment as invited to befoe a single til was taken off the bathroom wall

Alderbank

I bought fitted bathroom furniture which accommodated a semi recessed sink. However, I bought a counter top sink. The installer has fitted the counter top sink. I have spoken to the installer about this and he said: 1) Yes the furniture has a panel that is usually cut out for a semi recessed sink 2) Despite that he just fitted whatever came out of the box

GlitterQueen, your description of the vanity unit you bought is of a unit which could be trimmed in different ways to accommodate a variety of inset (recessed) sinks and could also be used for a countertop sink.

Inset and countertop sinks are not interchangeable. A countertop sink cannot be inset. It can only be fitted on top of a counter top. The clue is in the name.

There does seem to have been the opportunity for better communication and project supervision but I think the OP is largely to blame if they did not keep a close eye on what the installer was doing. As far as I can see the installer was presented with a vanity unit including a countertop and also with a countertop sink, and has fitted the provided sink correctly. 

If you wanted a semi-recessed sink why did you buy a countertop one?

GlitterQueen_2

I didn't know there was a difference until this happened. All the fixtures were bought prior to work commencing. This is why I asked the contractor on the first day to check everything - I've never renovated a bathroom before which is why employing the installer to project manage was appealing. I don't think its unreasonable to expect consultation if there is any doubt or something doesn't seem quite right. A quick check would have spotted this rookie mistake before it lead to a more serious problem The bathroom furniture range is installed with a countertop that is cut to fit the sink. A counter top sink should not be used. 

Alderbank

I've just realised this is a duplicate post
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/in-my-home-includes-diy-moneysaving

GlitterQueen_2

I posted in 2 places on the forum. Not sure which was most relevant

anotheruser

One or the other but not both.

Aylesbury_Duck

Am I missing something?  You bought a sink and a counter that are compatible, although not the way you wanted them to be, and expected the contractor to assume you might have made an error, despite it being perfectly reasonable to think the two items were intended to go together?  Aren't you expecting a form of mind-reading, or were there designs/instructions the contractor was supposed to follow, but didn't?

GlitterQueen_2

No Ayelsbury duck. The sink was wrong - not compatible

born_again

GlitterQueen_2 said:

No Ayelsbury duck. The sink was wrong - not compatible

So just who bought the bathroom fixtures & fittings.
You or the installer?

If it was you then, the installer might have thought that was what you wanted.