Stupidly Scammed by a Plumber - Options?

Jinks_65

Hi - I hope everyone is having a good start to 2026 - I know I’ve been beyond stupid already, and feel free to tell me so, along with any ideas on what to do next. I value information I find on here though very rarely post. 
Background
NYE my shower leaked into the flat downstairs. Called an emergency plumber - came quickly, identified leak from under shower and gave a price to fix/replace shower - I said I may as well have a bath at that - further ridiculously high price but I agreed in a rush and keenness to get leak stopped - which couldn’t be done without removing all shower tray anyway. 

Found toilet leaking next - ridiculous price to replace but agreed and paid. Just thought I’ve been daft but leaks stopped and I’ll get a bath.
Paid twice more as stuff ‘has gone up’ - like gambling really and sunk cost I know - but expected just a super priced but basic resultant bathroom 
Anyway, they’ve been the odd time - the toilet (new one) isn’t working still, and he can’t unblock it to date! bathroom is rather a mess and unusable still  etc etc. 
I am resigned to losing a fortune and learning a hard and humbling lesson  - but vaguely looking at making a claim against  them to make their lives difficult - but I don’t know as it’s too much for small claims - unless I claimed less than the invoice - is that possible? Will definitely report if possible.
The Actual Query -
I initially called a number I can no longer match to a company. The employee ‘plumber’ that turns up randomly calls himself an employee but searching shows his telephone number (he told me is personal)  is attached to a Ltd company, alongside the owner of this company being the same name of the person I paid (but not the name I’ve been given of the actual plumber).
I eventually got a sort of invoice with a completely different company name that isn’t registered anywhere. It’s invoice no 1 as well, and definitely has things on that have not occurred, or could occur - just the total cost is accurate tbh.

I do recognise it’s probably beyond pointless to claim but it keeps me more moderated thinking about it - at least stops me crying!
However, I’m not sure who I approach to request rectification officially, or who I would possibly send a pap to or even who to report - really who my contract is with - 
do I call the initial number and try there to put it on them?
Do I tell the ‘employee’ plumber I have these issues and expect  him to take responsibility?
Employee plumber talks about ‘the boss’ and appears to phone him as well. To be fair I think he hoped to do a decent job sometimes - just not capable and probably different standards to the average though work gets worse each time.
I guess all confusion around the ‘company’ is for their own protection/financial reasons but who do I complain to or about? As the company I tracked that seems to match isn’t the one on the invoice but that company on the invoice has no details whatsoever.
I’m not sure I want them to keep on trying but some work seems ok so I don’t know - their car is broken so they’ve not been back at the minute but have been 3x working weird evening hours and I think will return. I’m not even sure why at this point though - they’ve had my cash and might as well have just disappeared with it for all I can do-  I really don’t know what benefit it is to them to keep arriving and struggling to do this work for hours on end.
I’ll be honest that I am a bit dubious on reporting them for personal contentment in life reasons but feel a bit protected in a flat!
I’m not sure what anyone can say but advice on who I have my ‘contract’ with would be great.
Maybe too whether I can claim less than I was charged - I have got some bathroom parts if that makes any difference?
Thank you.

twopenny

While I can't help with sorting this out just want you to know you're not alone.
I got had by ringing someone I had met and thought was trustworthy. A different person came, knew I couldn't climb into the loft and sent his assistant up to deal with a gas pipe problem.
Friend went up later. Said they'd stuffed 2 rats under the pipes. I got billed £129 😲

It's unusual to get had but it's not your fault. It's theirs. You tried to do the right thing.
Hope you get your bath, whale music and candles 🙂