Bathroom Problems - Looking for Advice

David487

Good evening, I'm in England for the purpose of this question. 

I've just had a bathroom installed (badly, in my opinion), and here are the faults (I've also since found another leak...)

1. Plinth kit not installed as per the instructions, so the shower tray is not supported by the stated number of legs, nor can the plinth fascia be installed as per the instructions;

2. Shower tray is not sitting on the battens that are attached to the wall;

3. Shower tray is not level, it is low on the front (shower end) right, causing water to pool;

4. Two leaks have been identified (one in each corner) at the shower end;

5. The shower thermostatic bar is not square to the wall;

6. The shower thermostatic bar leaks approximately 1 litre of water per day from the hot connection (possibly associated with the above);

7. The wall cladding has been damaged between the shower water inlets. This is highly noticeable and there is no touch-up pen or similar that would hide this. Due to the panels being numbered it is expected that a whole new pack of cladding will be required for this alone;

8. The basin is not square to the vanity unit;

The pipes for the towel rail are not vertical from the floor to the radiator. This will necessitate the replacement of the vinyl due to the pipes passing through it;

9. The floor is not level, there is a noticeable hump where the new piece of floor has been laid.

The additional issue already rectified by yourself on your previous visit was:

Shower waste leaking.

The above is copied exactly from what I sent the installer. He wants £1700 for fitting, as I supplied the bathroom, cladding and vinyl, and a further £350 for plastering and materials. 

I've already had one second opinion who believes it needs to be removed and started again, and will be getting a further second opinion next week. 

I have informed the installer that I won't be paying the £1700, so now he's only pursuing the £350, so I've offered £100 - this is the £350 minutes the cost of the cladding, which I believe will need replacing as it's been cut to height (£200 approx) and the vinyl (£95) which has holes in the wrong place for the radiator pipes. It's actually a bit more generous, but that's me. 

So my questions: 

Do I have to give him an opportunity to fix it? He's said this will be at his expense and my convenience, but his suggested fixes only cover four of the above points. 

If I pay him the full invoice for plastering and materials, as requested, how would I then recoup the cost of the cladding and vinyl that I am going to have to buy again? 

If I offer full and final settlement of £100, i.e. I accept that I will bear all the cost of revival and reinstatement, if he says no, what can he do to me? 

I do have legal assistance on my house insurance, is it time to make use of it?

Sorry for the length of the post but really frustrated and annoyed to know I've got to their more money at what was meant to be my dream bathroom....

Many thanks and look forward to your suggestions and advice.

WIAWSNB

Yes.
Call up your LP right away - you have paid for this service, and this is exactly the sort of situation it's useful for.
On the more general point of whether you are obligated to allow a tradesperson to sort such issues first, the answer is a conditional 'yup, or usually'. However, from what you describe, this goes waaaay beyond 'snagging' or minor repairs, so in your case I believe you have justification (more than...) in stating you have no trust in this person's abilities. So, 'non'.
How much do you owe the guy? Only for any item he has supplied that can still be reused.
This does, from your description, sound like a 'start from the very beginning' job, so clearly this shouldn't cost you an extra penny.
The shower mixer can be reused? The shower tray? Screens? Flooring? Grout? (Kidding!)
Any chance of some photos?
Good luck.

David487

@WIAWSNB, thank you. From what I've been told the vinyl is definitely scrap - hadn't heard of spirit level or set square when plumbing in radiator, and the cladding has been cut to the tray, which isn't level and going to have to come out - there are also leaks in between the panels, so I guess that's scrap too.

I've already stated I have no confidence in his abilities due to the number and nature of the faults - there was even an instruction manual with the plinth kit, but he didn't read it....

He's not after the installation money, but wants paying for plastering the ceiling and materials, none of which can be re-used. Now I'm going to be around £300 out of pocket to replace the vinyl and cladding, which I supplied in the first place, so I figured he should pay for them, so I am planning to deduct from what he wants for three plastering. 

Would it also be fair to ask for the difference between his installation quote and what is going to cost to have it done properly (i.e. out and in again), possible a money claim?

I will be speaking to LP shortly, and interested to see what their opinion is.

WIAWSNB

As I said, everything that he has done that is usable, you offer to pay for in good faith. 

So, the ceiling plastering is ok? 

The floor had an added section? Ok, can the 'step' be simply levelled, or does it need relaying? The decorative floor covering itself - can this be reused? 

I'd agree that any leaking wall panelling couldn't have been installed correctly. Ie - it shouldn't leak! I'd add that I personally would not accept a 'repair' to this - eg an attempt at sealing it in situ - as this simply covers up the installation error. So, almost certainly, it needs removing and refitting. The Q is, can this be done without wrecking it? If not, then it's new panelling. (All assuming I understand the situation correctly).

The damage - deep scratch - to the panelling is unacceptable, so I'd suggest that this section either needs replacing, or a commensurate discount offered as compensation, but that choice should be made by the customer. The decision has to be considered 'reasonable', and I cannot comment any further since I haven't seen the damage.

The squint bottoms of the panelling could well be compensated for by raising the tray on reinstallation by a few mm? In which case, I'd suggest that this could be a 'reasonable' solution. 

Etc etc etc...

Bottom line, be guided by your LegProt - they are the ones to have your back in this, so follow their instructions. 

The first step will likely be to try and arrive at a compromise with the guy, so if you demonstrate your reasonableness in offering to pay for everything he has done for you that's rescuable, then he'll be on weak ground if he refuses. The next step is then likely to be getting another pro in to write a report, and a quote for putting it all right - you use this for your case. 

But, see what LP says. 

Please keep us updated, as this could be very useful for others

jarvisuk

This sounds like a classic case of poor bathroom installation rather than normal snagging. Problems with the shower, tap alignment, or tray level are usually a sign corners were cut. I’d recommend getting an independent bathroom fitter or plumber to inspect and give you a written report.
Once you have that, send a clear complaint letter to your installer listing every issue — shower leaks, unlevel fittings, or damage to walls. Ask them to fix it within a reasonable deadline. If they refuse, your report will support a claim through your home insurance or small claims court.
Keep calm, stay organised, and don’t agree to patch jobs that don’t fix the root problem.

ButterCheese

It's actually quite an art to fowl things up this badly.  My Dad has fitted 4 bathrooms now (for different family members) and they were all perfect, and he's never had any training or qualifications.

I wouldn't expect this person to totally re-do the job in good faith.  It would be embarrassing for them and cost them a lot of time and money.  My hunch is that, should you offer it to them to re-do the job, you would again be getting a shoddy job.  Bathrooms can be a real pain, especially if (like us) the leaks and poor seals are covered up with cladding, or bath panels, and they slowly leak over time.  By the time a problem presents itself, it can be too late and you've got a load of soggy and rotten plasterboard on your hands that needs totally ripping out.  

I bow out of the legal rights etc as there are many more knowledgable people on here than me.  But in terms of choice, if you have the choice then don't use this person again