Bathroom refurb

[Alison556]

I think I've gone from being absolute furious to being absolutely fed up with the whole thing.

And I'm getting even pickier and pickier every time I look at it. My walls are really badly off so it means that the tiles aren't as perfect as they could be.

Of course, after they'd started, I got told that I should've had the walls boarded out to even them up a bit - had they said that before they started, I'd have happily done it.

And I've paid most of it - the terms were 10% deposit, 80% at the start of the job and 10% on completion - I've not paid the final 10%.

And that is a new cubicle!!!! Even I know what they've done wrong with it. I honestly could've done a better bloody job myself - apart from not having a huge amount of confidence in my tiling abilities - as for everything else, I could have done no problem but I would have been really slow at it - mind you, I'd have finished by now if I had have done it!

I can't believe that one of the most reputable companies in town has carried out work like that. I went to them because of their reputation!

Do ya reckon I've got a right to be picky?

Oh, and this imaginary leak that I have has made all the nails in the ply rusty. Unless I'm imagining that too......................................

 

[^neo^]

If you're not happy, don't pay the final 10% and go to trading standards.

 

[Alison556]

I've not paid the final 10% and trading standards was my first port of call when it all went pear shaped.

They told me that the work had to be to a reasonable standard and done within a reasonable time - but what constitutes reasonable? What's reasonable to one might not be reasonable to another!

I guess I have to wait and see what the Kudos engineer says tomorrow - then fight the good fight with the company I ordered it from to get them to rectify it.

Two bloomin months it's been like that - I would have been quicker doing it myself!!

 

[Stivino]

What about getting a report of your own done?

 

[Alison556]

I did think of that but wasn't sure who to go to. I can just imagine some other bathroom company being a bit ****ed at being asked to do a report when they never did the work!!

I know that the Kudos guy will do a report on the shower enclosure install so I'll see what he's going to say and take it from there.

Fed up I might be, but I'm not letting them away with it.

 

[Alison556]

Update:

The engineer from the manufacturer came out yesterday. Basically, it's a bad installation - it's sealed where it shouldn't be and isn't sealed where it should be - if you're with me. There is no sealant on the outside of the wallposts but there is sealant at the bottom of the posts on the inside of the enclosure when there shouldn't be as this stops drainage. The backs of the wallposts are packed with silicone when it's not necessary - all this does is makes it bloomin difficult to remove the posts.

From what he can see, the water appears to be going down the back of the tray and leaking out. The joiner had packed silicone between the floor and the bottom of the tray and I made a little hole in that and there's water coming out of there which confirms that it's going down the back of the tray but has been gathering under the tray because of the silicone.

Spoke to the installation manager who relayed the report from the engineer - strangely enough, there was no mention of the water down the back of the tray, just the fact that the wallposts need sealed. So I phoned the engineer back to check with him what he'd told the installation company and he confirmed that he'd told them that there was water going down the back of the tray. It's starting to sound like they're looking for the easy solution of just sealing the posts and not investigating the hard part - behind the tray!

I've to wait till Monday till the installation manager speaks to the director and they'll report back as to "how they're going to help me out"!!!

Trading standards are saying that I have to wait to see what they're going to come up with.

My mum says I should seek legal advice and maybe get an independant report done - but who would I go to for an independant report? I've no idea of what to do or where to start!

I'm at the point of going and thumping somebody now!

 

[vv2806]

Alison, I think your mum is right. Speak with a lawyer. If they are not specialised in dealing with such situation, at least they can recommend somebody who does. A lawyer would find an independent expert who could write a report. Be careful not to be conned to go to unnecessary expenses though, unfortunately some lawyers do this.

I followed your topic from the very beginning - my commiserations for the bad luck you have with this so called bathroom installer.

 

[paulc7617]

Alison,I really hope you get a satisfactory outcome to all this. A fully non-leaking shower would be a start,but I think some sort of compensation should be given,if not get a independent survey done before they "repair" the faults.Would Trading Standards help or know of specialist surveyor who could help? Really feel for you at all that money outlaid.

 

[Goldspoon]

And I've paid most of it - the terms were 10% deposit, 80% at the start of the job and 10% on completion - I've not paid the final 10%.

.

I have to ask WHY did you ever agree to these terms?

 

[Alison556]

They were the same terms for every company that I approached for quotes - I just thought that was the norm cos nobody else was different.

 

[paulc7617]

Alison????

 

[Alison556]

Oh, it's still not fixed!!

They were meant to come last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to remove the shower enclosure and re-do it all (properly apparently).

I got a phone call at 10am on Wednesday to say that the plumber had the flu and wasn't at work, so it was rescheduled for Wednesday/Thursday this week (ie, today). Strange how it went from a three day job to a two day job.

Hauled my poor old 86 year old grandmother out of her bed at the crack of dawn this morning so we could be ready, showered, etc only to get a phone call at 9am this morning saying that the installation manager has been off with the flu and the workmen were running behind on another job so they weren't coming today. Apparently, they'll be here tomorrow morning and Friday to do the work. We'll see.............................................

And I keep getting told that I'm meant to give them reasonable opportunity to fix it!

 

[Alison556]

I'm thinking of turning this into a serial in the papers!

Well, they've been. They dismantled, they re-assembled. They resealed in all the right places.

The leaks from the wall posts appear to be resolved.

BUT

We're back to the bloody door not closing properly and the water's coming out of there again.

I also now have a flippin chip out of my new ceiling which they've tried to cover up with caulk - which doesn't work when the ceiling is a sort of satin sheen Parador and the caulk is matt....................

It goes from bad to f**ing worse. It's one step forward and two steps back.

I also discovered that the guy who did the very first installation has never heard of rawl plugs - and neither have any of the following installers! My entire shower enclosure, shower valve and riser rail are just screwed into the Wet Wall. Happy friggin days!

I'm now at the end of my tether, had a little cry to myself earlier on cos I'm so freakin fed up with the whole thing.

I'm bracing myself to phone the ignorant sod that calls himself an Installation Manager on Monday - last time I spoke to him, I ended up having to hang up cos I was in floods of tears.

I don't know what to do next. Sorry for this epic tale.

Any Kudos shower installers out there???

 

[dextrous]

I'd try for a full refund since the work is not fit for purpose. Advise them that trading standards are involved and that you're seeking further legal advice. You may also advise them that you're likely to get the press involved.

 

[paulc7617]

Alison,dont let the bast**ds grind you down.If your still not happy complain again,demand your money back,go back to trading standards for advice.Really hope you get this sorted.Keep your chin up and get into 'em.