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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think I should not stand the cost of this plumbing mistake?

42 replies

Flossyfloof · 14/10/2014 12:28

I have just had the bathroom refitted. The plumber gave me a catalogue from which to choose the taps. I chose the taps. Once the bath was put in, he called me upstairs to ask where I wanted the taps to go. It was clear that there was actually only one place they could fit - in the centre of the bath on the side facing into the room. This would mean hurdling them every time anyone had a shower or bath; the ones I chose were quite high and it was obvious that this would be no good at all. As he had actually opened the taps up the plumber says that the supplier will not accept them back. Several times he has shaken his head and sucked his teeth and asked if I know anyone who wants some new taps, doesn't know what we can do, am I sure I don't know anyone who wants new taps etc etc. I have pretty well ignored this.
The bathroom is finally finished. He has just asked again about the taps. As I chose them from a catalogue which he supplied I don't think that I should have to stand the cost. He didn't at any point indicate that I should we aware of any measurements, point me in the direction of one kind of tap rather than another, no qualms when I chose them.
He has just asked me what I think is a fair thing to do about buying them. I asked if I have bought them then? He answered that he doesn't know what I have done. We are both feeling very uncomfortable about the whole thing, the job will end up costing a lot more than he estimated, because of various problems which have occurred during the job. I feel that he should have been aware of the fact that some taps might not be suitable for all baths, he being the expert not me.
This man is someone who has always been reasonable, he has done decent jobs for me in the past. But I don't feel that I should stand for the cost of these taps. The sink taps can be returned (with a restocking charge) but the others can't. I have suggested that I try them on Ebay and see what happens.
So AIBU in not wanting to pay for them?

OP posts:

NotOneThingbutAnother · 14/10/2014 13:46

I think I'm a little bit in awe of Daddy, he's very assertive!

DaddyBeer · 14/10/2014 13:57

It's work, and more importantly, money. On both sides. You have to be clinical about it, manage the customer's expectations, be very clear and leave them happy. Otherwise they'll diss you to their mates and then your phone will stop ringing. And no-one wants that.

frankbough · 14/10/2014 14:33

Some tradesmen blindly follow the customers lead, which in this case and many others ends up in a disagreement over who stands the cost of materials when a changes is needed to the original choice/spec..
My bet is he can take the taps back for a restocking charge and he's trying it on...

These problems can be avoided by using contracts which can give guidance and security in managing disputes and expectations on both sides..

And the uni comment made me chuckle...

DaddyBeer · 14/10/2014 14:45

The uni comment was funny. Hmm, wonder if an apprentice plumber actually does more work over three years than the average student? And of course, there can't possibly be a professional organisation of plumbers, no-one would think to set that one up and call it maybe the association of plumbing and heating contractors, or even the chartered institute of plumbing and heating engineering.. It's common knowledge that people who aren't taught ethics have no idea of right and wrong too. And aren't we one of the most over-insured countries in Europe? (if it can happen, someone will happily insure you against it)

minipie · 14/10/2014 14:52

My bet is he can take the taps back for a restocking charge and he's trying it on...

Yes, I am a bit surprised that he can't send the tap back for a restocking charge. It doesn't quite ring true that opening the box is ok but opening the bag is not. There's something a bit odd there. I'd ask to speak to the supplier myself tbh.

I still think it's the customer's job not to make daft design choices though. I'd be pleased if my plumber pointed out I'd chosen something impractical, but I wouldn't expect them to - in this situation I'd definitely blame myself not the plumber.

minipie · 14/10/2014 14:52

if it can happen, someone will happily insure you against it

I'd like to see someone selling "daft tap choice insurance"

MissPenelopeLumawoo · 14/10/2014 17:22

I recently had my kitchen re-fitted. The fitter went through everything with me, all the different choices of taps, work surfaces, units, door handles, everything. He spent ages helping me make the right choice. If I was going for something that would not fit he told me so and gave me the reason why. In short, he used his experience as a fitter to advise me to make the best decisions. Which is why I employed a fitter, because I don't have the experience myself. I would have been most put out if my new taps did not fit my sink and he had not advised me of that fact. YANBU.

gincamparidryvermouth · 14/10/2014 17:40

I would ring the supplier and find out what their returns policy is.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 14/10/2014 17:48

Bottom line is he should have asked you about placement before he opened the packet. This is particularly the case if the only possible fitment was awkward. He ordered the bath and taps for you he should have advised on suitability at that point. But even if it only came to light once bath was in he shouldn't have opened the taps until he'd checked the fitting with you.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 14/10/2014 17:51

MissPenelope - I think you're right there. I had a fitter who turned out to be useless and made lots of bad design mistakes with my kitchen. The company made everything good because it was their employee's error. Seems a similar situation here.

minipie · 14/10/2014 17:55

A fitter from a specialist kitchen company is different from a plumber IMO.

If you went to a specialist bathroom company then yes I would expect them/their fitter to notice this kind of thing. Design is part of their job. However you've used a plumber not a specialist bathroom company.

PiperIsOrange · 14/10/2014 18:02

I like the look of things, but wouldn't have a clue if the things was right.

I would expect a plumber to know what kind of taps are suitable and to advice the customer.

It's why DH and I have so many arguments in ikea, I like things that are very impractical and wouldn't fit at all.

LEMmingaround · 14/10/2014 18:13

Im on the fence. Or edge of the bath.

To be honest i think there is blame on both sides. You both needed to be on the same page about which taps were suitable. I can't really picture why they arent any good.

I am surprised he is unable to return the taps as he could claim they are not fit for purpose. Especially if sold with the bath.

My dp fits bathrooms and we prefer clients to buy the materials themselves. We do however have lots of conversations about suitability to avoid this situation.

In your shoes i would be contacting the supplier and negotiating a return. They can be repacked and sold if they quibble say you are willing to accept 10% less refund. Split the difference between you and the plumber or let him buy the taps off you at a reduxed rate then he can sell them to another customer

Original poster

Flossyfloof · 14/10/2014 18:48

Even if the taps could be returned they charge for restocking, which they will charge for the basin taps.
He supplied the bath himself from his own garage. Phew had bought the bath from them and found it didn't fit in his bathroom. It was fine for mine so he suggested I have it and I was happy to do so. It is an ordinary house and a smallish bathroom so I was happy to go with it - it is an Ideal Standard one, so a decent make I think. The issue is with the fact that the end edges are very narrow and so the taps I chose, whilst not being of a ridiculous size, could not be fitted as firstly they wouldn't fit anyway but they had levers on which could not be moved round enough even if they could fit on the side.
I hadn't thought about phoning the supplier, I could do that but he says that they refused to take the ba back and he had only taken the cardboard off it, not the protective things that sits on the top.
I didn't think for one minute about checking if the taps were suitable. As I said, I chose them from a catalogue he gave me, he then ordered them.

OP posts:

londonrach · 14/10/2014 18:57

Maybe im wrong but if you choose them surely you should pay for them. Ive never owned a house so never had my own bathroom i can choose so probably wrong. Look at the bigger picture here has he been good, will you use him again, cost of taps via cost of bathroom, can you resell them....

ChelsyHandy · 14/10/2014 19:47

DaddyBeer The uni comment was funny. Hmm, wonder if an apprentice plumber actually does more work over three years than the average student? And of course, there can't possibly be a professional organisation of plumbers, no-one would think to set that one up and call it maybe the association of plumbing and heating contractors, or even the chartered institute of plumbing and heating engineering.. It's common knowledge that people who aren't taught ethics have no idea of right and wrong too. And aren't we one of the most over-insured countries in Europe? (if it can happen, someone will happily insure you against it)

Why was it funny? Its about as funny as being unable to make a truthful comment due to inverse snobbery. There may be courses in plumbing and bathroom installation aesthetics at university; if there are, please point them out to me.

The point of saying plumbers aren't professionals in the traditional sense of the word is that a higher standard of care applies in the courts to doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, etc.. Hence the requirement for professional indemnity insurance. You can't do a medical degree and qualify as a doctor in 3 years or become a lawyer - for the latter, you need a further 3 years on top of university. These are facts. I don't think you can be disbarred by the associations you mention for getting a criminal record either; and I don't even think membership of them is required unless you are dealing with gas connections. Which would be a different trade from what the OP is describing.

DaddyBeer · 16/10/2014 13:46

Chelsy yes I take your points. I was just trying to make the point that not being a "professional" in that sense of the word should not preclude someone from exercising a bit of common sense. If you're in a trade, hopefully you're a practical person and on top of that, have built a little experience on what will go down well (or not) with your customers.

At the absolute most, flossy could offer to meet her plumber halfway, but I don't believe it's necessary as she really isn't at fault here IMO.

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