Hi All , Im hoping some of you will be able to give me some pointers and help in a dispute im having with a tradesman over some kitchen worktops.
We had some bespoke slate worktops made and fitted for our new kitchen in our bungalow renovation.
once our kitchen base units had been fitted we employed an specialist 1 man business to supply and fit our worktops, after visiting him a couple of times to view possible pieces which would make the worktops we chose our piece and he came to template the kitchen to cut the slabs ready to be fitted.
on the day of fitting we had previously agreed that we would pay 1k deposit in to his account and the other 2.5k cash on fitting ( he asked this because it saved him being vat registered and us having vat on our bill)
when we carried the slabs in to the kitchen and put them in position there was a a large section which had to be made from 2 slabs joined together , when we put them in to position the area below the joint was unable to support the 2 pieces due to it being a large draw area , he assured me at the time that it wouldnt be a problem as the method and type of special stone glue he used would hold the flat but joint together once he had it supported .
He finished the job and everything was fine,, we covered the worktops in bubble wrap and cardboard to protect them from dust etc as the house was still undergoing alterations and we werent living in it .
2 months later we began to move in the bungalow and while putting our kitchen belongings in the draw below the join the worktop split in 2 and slipped around 5 mm, I instantly took some picture and sent them to him to let him know what had happened and what we could do .
his reply was ...theres no way that has broke like that youve dropped something on it or the electrician has stood on it to fit you lighting, i have photos to prove there was no lights in the kitchen when i fitted the work tops......if you want me to fix it ill have to charge you to do it around £600 but first you have to pay me the outstanding 2.5 ??????? the 2.5k cash i had paid him before he would even remove the stone from his van !!!!
he has point blank refused to do anything , saying its not his fault and we owe him the money despite now 6 months later hes never sent us a letter or anything regarding money owed , hes just said verbally via a phone call its our word over his and we cant prove weve paid him.
I have a specialist report to say hes at fault for fitting the worktop the way he did . but hes still fobbing us off.
I cant afford legal help and the thought of doing a small claim is completely destroying me .
any help would be appreciated .
We had some bespoke slate worktops made and fitted for our new kitchen in our bungalow renovation.
once our kitchen base units had been fitted we employed an specialist 1 man business to supply and fit our worktops, after visiting him a couple of times to view possible pieces which would make the worktops we chose our piece and he came to template the kitchen to cut the slabs ready to be fitted.
on the day of fitting we had previously agreed that we would pay 1k deposit in to his account and the other 2.5k cash on fitting ( he asked this because it saved him being vat registered and us having vat on our bill)
when we carried the slabs in to the kitchen and put them in position there was a a large section which had to be made from 2 slabs joined together , when we put them in to position the area below the joint was unable to support the 2 pieces due to it being a large draw area , he assured me at the time that it wouldnt be a problem as the method and type of special stone glue he used would hold the flat but joint together once he had it supported .
He finished the job and everything was fine,, we covered the worktops in bubble wrap and cardboard to protect them from dust etc as the house was still undergoing alterations and we werent living in it .
2 months later we began to move in the bungalow and while putting our kitchen belongings in the draw below the join the worktop split in 2 and slipped around 5 mm, I instantly took some picture and sent them to him to let him know what had happened and what we could do .
his reply was ...theres no way that has broke like that youve dropped something on it or the electrician has stood on it to fit you lighting, i have photos to prove there was no lights in the kitchen when i fitted the work tops......if you want me to fix it ill have to charge you to do it around £600 but first you have to pay me the outstanding 2.5 ??????? the 2.5k cash i had paid him before he would even remove the stone from his van !!!!
he has point blank refused to do anything , saying its not his fault and we owe him the money despite now 6 months later hes never sent us a letter or anything regarding money owed , hes just said verbally via a phone call its our word over his and we cant prove weve paid him.
I have a specialist report to say hes at fault for fitting the worktop the way he did . but hes still fobbing us off.
I cant afford legal help and the thought of doing a small claim is completely destroying me .
any help would be appreciated .