AIBU to ask for a radiator in the small entry hall? Moody builder.

I don't understand how or why people pay before they are happy with the work. Materials maybe. But a large amount (50% maybe) should be payable on completion of satisfactory work.

I had building work a while ago. £30k. He didn't even want stage payments. All on completion. Once I was happy with everything. This work when on for about 6 or 7 weeks

Patio was £15k. He wanted payment of materials on delivery and stage payments over two weeks. Fine.

Other trades I've had - kitchen, flooring, decorating is on completion with maybe a 10% deposit.

I had exactly the same issue when we had renovations recently- radiator removed from wall in hallway (also small), and some walls were removed/ layout changed… and radiator not put back in. I was nervous about asking about it, as the plumbing for the other rads had already all been done. However, I had a word with myself and thought ‘I’m not paying thousands of pounds for work that I’m not going to be happy with overall’. We needed that rad in the hallway because its, a) right by the front door, b) where all the damp coats get hung up c) the only heating in the entire hallway/ stairs/ landing area. So, I bit the bullet and told him I wanted the rad out back in. He was a bit huffy, but did it. Luckily, there were nearby heating pipes to connect it to (in adjacent downstairs loo) and we were not at the point where any plastering or decorating had started.
I would say that you need to get him to do it, even if it adds to the cost. You do not want the hassle or cost of using an electric heater long term.

OP is saying if the plumber continues being difficult about plumbing in a radiator she will just buy a plug in one instead. I thought that we very clear from her post.
She isn't expecting the builder to plug one in she wants him to plumb one in as agreed.
I don't think the builder is confused just difficult.

Sorry ive just seen your update.
He sounds terrible. If he took a radiation out of the hall he should put another one in. Tell him that was the agreement and you aren't going to pay him untill he finishes the job. And then I'd tell all my friends to avoid using him

I agree, I thought all entry halls had radiators in them as standard.
OP if the quote included the hall way then you should ask them to put one in because you will be paying for it and they should do what you asked them to.
What does the quote say?

So it’s not plumbed in? I think I’m as confused as the builder by all this.

Agree with this. His argument is so flimsy, it's laughable.
I hope you haven't paid already? That's the best way for you to get him to finish the job, I think – payment once the work is complete ie all is made like for like.

If he's taken it out he needs to replace it.

Do not pay him until you have a job you are happy with.

I have an unheated entrance way. It's part of an extension that isn't very well insulated at all. The cold seeps through into the next rooms, so I can't dry clothes- or stinky work clothes- in the utility room in the winter, and the nearest plug socket is far away and entirely occupied. I can, however, use it as an extension of my fridge, because it's so cold that it keeps fruit and vegetables fresh for days. Also, if you're clumsy like me (and my pets), a plug-in one wouldn't be a good idea due to the wires being a trip hazard!

Admittedly, a plug-in one would be cheaper, but I'd have a regular radiator put in any day of the week. I've just been told that I can enquire and then pay for it myself (in a rented house).

His excuse is ridiculous. You've shown evidence that a radiator was wanted, and was priced for. He's just asserted that "possibly" you changed your mind later, but he doesn't really recall clearly and has no actual evidence of any such change of mind? It's shameless! I know who a court would believe.

If there was one before and you want one then there should be one. Most builders/tradespersons we’ve had have never been moody and in my previous job I worked with a lot.

All you can do is insist there was one there before, you want one, it was agreed etc. Just be polite and professional. I wouldn’t worry about upsetting him as unlikely you would pick him to do anything for you again. If it was in the quote it’s in the contract.

Also any job the tip is arrange for the builder to walk through the whole house at the end. Ideally a day or two after they have left (so you can see if any issues) you go through any issues that need fixing. Then when these issues have been resolved you pay them. We’ve always worked with builders on this basis, to be fair most suggest this before we do.

You should ideally have a radiator there - when the engineer did the heat loss calculations for our heat pump, he was adamant on that.

It will be ridiculous to use an electric radiator instead - they're expensive to run, whereas one extra small radiator in an entire heating system will barely move the dial on the running cost.

We have a radiator in a small porch that we leave off - makes the room a thermal buffer zone. It’s never freezing we be are not chucking vast amounts of heat through the external walls ( not your question I know ! )

Well, if you CBA with his behaviour (and he does sound infuriating and very unprofessional), just tell him you'll leave the radiators at that, then, and he needs to take off the time/parts/whatever from the bill to reflect that he hasn't made a like-for-like replacement.