Dodgy contractor has left me in the cold.....

[banjo-freak]

Hi,

We've just moved into our building site/house outside Guildford. We've had a Worcester Bosch 30 CDi system boiler and Ariston unvented tank installed with new pipes/radiators, etc.

Unfortunately, on the final day of work we had a falling out with the contractor which meant his two plumbers and his corgi registered guy left site on his instructions and he left without his final settlement.

We've been left with a shiny new system, which is great, but it's uncommissioned and without a certificate. I'm now having REAL problems getting a Corgi registered person to commission it.

I understand that by commissioning it they effectively say "everything's great and I'll put my name to it", but really, if it's checked over by them and they're happy with it then what's the issue. We're happy to pay good money to anyone who can help!!!

Any tips/suggestions? The WB instruction manual does step by step process for commissioning; is this something that I could attempt myself???

Thanks in advance for any help!

Banjo-freak

 

[Bahco]

Commissioning; is this something that I could attempt myself???

Definitely not.

Especially it being an unvented system which HAS to have certain safety controls put in place correctly.

Can you not eat humble pie and compromise with the original contractor.

 

[banjo-freak]

Commissioning; is this something that I could attempt myself???

Definitely not.

Especially it being an unvented system which HAS to have certain safety controls put in place correctly.

Can you not eat humble pie and compromise with the original contractor.

To say I have "issues" with the contractor is an understatement. He couldn't lie straight in bed. Really do not want anything to do with him again.

What about making a complaint to Corgi and getting them to come out and inspect it?

 

[Bahco]

What about making a complaint to Corgi and getting them to come out and inspect it?

As the installation is not finished and therefore has not been signed off as suitable for use I would think they would not be interested.

You can phone them for advice.

 

[ChrisR]

The short answer is that to check everything takes a long time, so for a boiler and an unvented you're looking at £hundreds.
The man has to do everything he would if he's fitted the boiler - technically including fixing it to the wall. Chemical treatments would have to be redone, etc.
If there's any problem with the boiler, the "installer" could be responsible.
You've fallen out with a tradesman - never a good sign - alarm bells would be ringing for any other.

 

[banjo-freak]

Spoke to Corgi and they suggested putting in a complaint and they'd send a engineer out who'd check it and write a report. Great. 4 weeks without answers, let alone heat!

Still, may be the only way forward as no one else will touch it for any money, and I've told them I'd pay £500 for commissioning it.

The really annoying thing is this guy was by recommendation! It was the only trademan we had who wasn't through one of the rated trades websites. Never again!

I find it hard to believe that this situation has no satisfactory remedy. Surely it can't be that uncommon?

Thanks for your answers, all appreciated.

BF

 

[ChrisR]

That should get someone to do the necessary, though it assumes nothing's actually wrong! Or the plumber didn't leave corks in the pipe -which I have seen!! Almost every installation has something or other which a stickler could object to.

This is indeed a common situation so I've added to the FAQ's
http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=37170
- search on "sign off". Currently it's the bottom topic , on page 2.

Actually I'm only up the A3 a bit!

 

[D_Hailsham]

Unfortunately, on the final day of work we had a falling out with the contractor which meant his two plumbers and his corgi registered guy left site on his instructions and he left without his final settlement.

Without knowing why you fell out with the contractor, it's difficult to say what remedies you have. But I would have thought that he is in breach of contract if he has not completed the job to your satisfaction. At least you still have the final settlement as a bargaining tool.

You could try writing to him (send recorded delivery) giving him a reasonable amount of time to complete the work and stating that, if he fails to complete in time, you will employ someone else and deduct the cost from the final settlement.

It might also be worth your while contacting your local Trading Standards Department and asking their advice.

 

[banjo-freak]

Without knowing why you fell out with the contractor, it's difficult to say what remedies you have.

Sounds petty now, but he put the cylinder in the wrong place which now impedes on a doorway (blames us for not being there at the time), he brought in 5 bundles of copper and must have used less than one (rest vanishing into thin air), in one pipe run up a wall he used copper then changed halfway to plastic (I don't have a problem with plastic under the floor but not where I now have to box it in), he massacred the floorboards we told him we wanted to keep, he did not connect up the underfloor heating then denied ever being asked (independent witness says he was asked) and various other aspects we were not happy with. Then when I politely confront him about it, he tries to tell me that my builders did a knock through without regs, used the wrong size steels and didn't put in padstones. When I pointed out that I put in the building reg notice, personally showed the BCO around and actually watched the padstones go in he replied "Fair play, you've got me there" To say I can't trust him now would be an understatement

He oversaw but did not undertake the work. His Corgi guy was a nice bloke but unfortunately working for him not me, so followed his orders when it came to packing up.

 

[corgiman]

can you not talk the CORGI man? and pay him to come back?

 

[D_Hailsham]

From what you say, he is definitely in breach of contract. The fact that he only oversaw the work is irrelevant.

Write him a letter as I suggested and also contact Trading Standards.

It's pity about the cylinder. Did he ask for your instructions as to location or was he left to make up his own mind? If you did not said anything to him before he installed the cylinder, you can't blame him for using his own initiative, even if it's not what you wanted. But if you had spoken about it and he decided to go ahead without getting your approval, then you are on stronger ground. In this case, if you felt like it you could make him put it right, (or get someone else to) at his expense. Again you have the "retainer" to use as a bargaining tool. But note that you can't withold money for work which has ben completed to your satisfaction; so, if you are holding back £1000 and only £250 is in dispute, you still have to pay him the undisputed £750.

 

[ChrisR]

But HE would say that YOU had broken the contract! Hard to prove if it isn't all in writing.
As he sees it he's doing the work, and now you've perhaps said that you won't pay him unless he does extra? Like move a cylinder after he's fitted it in what in good faith he thought was a suitable position? If so, contract over - or in dispute at least. You can't make someone fulfill their side of a contract if you've broken yours.

 

[banjo-freak]

He had VERY clear instructions on where the cylinder was meant to go and has no excuse at all for the error he made. I have not, in anyway, breached the contract. After he left on Friday I have heard nothing from him since except through his mate who's actually plastering the house as I write! Apparently, he says he won't be returning, which considering I owe him £1800 out of the agreed £6300 would suggest to me he knows he's done wrong. I know you could read that anyway you like, but it speaks volumes to me.