who's responsible?

Prycee

My mother bought a bidet toilet which had a 30 day returns policy if uninstalled. She asked a builder who got one of his guys to install it. But on inspection it didn't flush properly. When she asked about it, they shrugged and said 'dunno' (not a plumber). She got the builder round who then inspected the paperwork that came with it and, after talking to a plumber, found out the water pressure in her house was not compatible. The builders guy has reinstalled the original toilet but left mum with one in a box that is no good and is ££££ out of pocket. There doesn't seem to be any info on the website with regards to water pressure so there would be no reason for her (or builder) to know in was incompatible until it was delivered.  Can she ask her builder to give compensation? What are her rights? 
Many thanks for your thoughts and advise 

sheramber

Did she ask the builder to get her one and paid him for it?

Or did she buy one from somewhere else and ask the builder to instal it?

Prycee

she bought the toilet. she asked the builder. he opened the box and installed without looking at instructions.

born_again

Can we take it  that it is out of the 30 days?

Did the builder charge to uninstall?

Prycee

no charges made by builder. 5 days left before 30 days expires.

born_again

Prycee said:

no charges made by builder. 5 days left before 30 days expires.

Your rights are to get the company contacted for their return procedure.  So you can get a refund under the 30 days.
Builder owes you nothing, if you have not been charged.
In reality getting a plumber to supply & fit is the best way to avoid issues like this.

Aylesbury_Duck

Has she actually tried to return it?  If it's been cleaned up, it's probably perfectly re-sellable, and the retailer may just take it back.  Worth asking, before worrying about compensation or who's responsible.

This sort of thing comes up a lot on here.  It's usually best to ask a professional to supply and fit.  That way, there's no ambiguity about responsibility.  What's happened here is that a non-expert has chosen and bought something and then chosen and paid another non-expert to fit it.  I'd say that makes your mother ultimately responsible, but technical responsibility will depend upon the precise nature of her contract with the builder.  If it was "I've bought this, please fit it" then I think your mother's responsible.  If it was "I've bought this, can you check it's suitable and if it is, then fit it", then it's the builder that's at fault.  Equally, a builder shouldn't be doing plumbing jobs for which he's not qualified or experienced.

user1977

Prycee said:

she bought the toilet. she asked the builder. he opened the box and installed without looking at instructions.

And do the instructions say anything about the minimum water pressure?

Was it even implied that the builder was expected to check whether the specification was correct?

Money_and_Travel

user1977 said:

Was it even implied that the builder was expected to check whether the specification was correct?

He's considered to be an expert, and should know how the item works, or should confirm before beginning to install.

HampshireH

Money_and_Travel said:

user1977 said:

Was it even implied that the builder was expected to check whether the specification was correct?

He's considered to be an expert, and should know how the item works, or should confirm before beginning to install.

Except he isn't because they didn't hire a plumber.

If a builder is provided a product from a client and asked to fit it then the onus was on the client to provide the correct product in the first place.

Had the builder ordered it and fitted it it would be on them.

They followed instruction and did what they were paid to do.

Prycee

mother had asked the builder if the bidet toilet was correct before buying. water pressure wasn't mentioned by either of them. mother thought builder had got a plumber to plumb in the toilet. it was only because I was on the phone at the time listening in to the guy who said he didn't know why it didn't flush properly that I mentioned water pressure. The builder turned up and they then looked at the instructions that clearly states that before fitting, check the water pressure.
The client (mum) asked who she deemed a professional (builder) if the product she was buying was suitable. Builder didn't look in detail, agreed that it was and then sub-contracted out to a non plumber.