Legal Advice sought on Breach of Contract

[sjmyles]

I have had Builders in who have installed a bathroom (amongst other things) and (amongst other problems) have not earth bonded, the now fully tiled bathroom.
See: //www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=31746&highlight=

The contract has a clause stating we must agree to go to arbitration if we have a dispute.

My belief is he is in Breach of Contract and therefore I have a right to cancel the contract with him and intend to withhold some payment.
If I cancel the contract where do I then stand. Can he make me go to arbitration. Will arbitration deal with Breach of Contract.
I'm worried my cancelling I will put myself at a disadvantage over this.

regards
Simon

 

[andy]

see 16here

 

[ban-all-sheds]

1st thing Monday morning you must speak to your solicitor.

 

[HandyJon]

Did the contract stipulate that bonding was required in the bathroom. Did it say anything about any bonding or anything about being done to proper regulations? If neither then he hasn't broken the contract, just not done it to regulations which is a seperate thing altogether

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Nothing to do with breaching the regulations per se - if supplementary equipotential bonding is required by them in a special location because of the presence of extraneous-conductive-parts and LV supplies, then omitting it means that the installation is not reasonably safe.

And it is that which is unlawful, as it contravenes requirement P1 of the Building Regulations.