I recently got the 11 sash windows in my Victorian home replaced with new wooden sash double glazing. As soon as the new sashes arrived I regretted it, as they weren't the same. For example the horns were not the same shape as the original, even though I asked for them to be. In hindsight, I should have got the original sashes refurbished with slimlite, but I am where I am.
Anyway, the joiners were doing a very fast job (it was just before Christmas), and they didn't pilot the screw holes (for handles, simplex hinges, baton rod screw...) properly. Now wherever there is a screw, on all 11 windows, the wood is split. I didn't mention it at the time, although I did bring it up later.
When the painter visited he wouldn't stop asking me how I'd paint the ceiling in my bathroom (I'm getting it refurbished). After telling him 5 or 6 times I'd think about it later, and that I had to go, I eventually said do you want to paint it. He did for £140, though due to ongoing work, holes have had to be drilled and it needs repainted, so it was a bit of a waste.
Anyway, during the course of the painting he came in smelling of alcohol, drank some of my alcohol (I found empty bottles only he could have drunk), broke tiles in my bathroom, broke 2 panes of glass in an internal door, went through my belongings (he asked to buy some sports equipment I had for well below market value. Who asks to buy other peoples stuff after rummaging around in it?), he left the place littered with fizzy juice cans and some of his language towards another tradesman was sectarian. On top of this the window pointing was left full of cracks, and I'm don't believe there were 3 coats of paint that I was told there would be. I didn't witness him breaking anything or his discussion with the other tradesman, but nobody else could have broken the stuff or drank my alcohol.
I got the company manager round and he dismissed the broken things saying I had no evidence. Even the split wood he just said he wouldn't have done it that way. And as for the harrasing me into giving him extra work, he told me the painter was doing me a favour by painitng the ceiling!! The only thing he was angry about was the sectarian language (which I lied about and said I had overheard, even though I hadn't but I trust the other tradesman).
Anyway, I've paid them 90% of what I owe them, but there is still 10% for the painting outstanding. The windows need some additional paint and grout due to cracks. I've been ignoring calls and emails from them for the past 6 weeks as I don't want any of them back in my house. They offered a £200 discount if I finished the painting myself, but for all the damage and inconvenience, I'm witholding £1000, and just refusing to speak to them. Is what I am doing wrong, and how should I fix it?
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Property/DIY
Should I pay this tradesman
11 replies
user1493035447 · 24/04/2017 14:11
OP posts:
FrancisCrawford ·
24/04/2017 14:24
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