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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not pay for my kitchen installation when it's not complete?

28 replies

blardyfeck · 12/12/2016 17:46

On Monday last week I took delivery of my new kitchen and appliances in a number of boxes, all of which were paid for in advance.
The fitters arrived on Tuesday and started installing the units, they didn't come Wednesday but they finished the installation on Thursday. Everything except the dishwasher was fitted as unfortunately it transpired that it hadn't been delivered. I had no idea as I didn't check the boxes when they came.
Not a problem at all, as I was told by the kitchen company that they're chasing it up and on Friday he told me he was still awaiting a delivery date. The fitter would be over to install in straight away.
The kitchen guy then asked me to settle the kitchen fitter's bill. I am reluctant to pay it as the job isn't finished. If I pay the bill, there's no incentive for them to chase the dishwasher.
Am I being unreasonable? Should I pay it? Pay some of it?
Surely if the dishwasher is going to be delivered this week then he can wait a couple of days for the money? If not, why can't the kitchen guy sub him? It's not my fault the dishwasher hasn't been delivered but it feels like if I pay, then that's it, I've got no recourse at all.
Can anyone advise me?
I struggle a bit with anxiety and I worry about things like this. I have a tendency to takes things personally and I know the the kitchen guy will persuade me to pay if i talk to him as he's quite a sales person.

OP posts:
MinesAGin · 12/12/2016 17:50

You shouldn't make the final payment until the job is finished. As you say, there'd be no incentive for them to finish it otherwise.

Bluntness100 · 12/12/2016 17:52

Is the money due to the kitchen fitter the final outstanding money and nothing else would be due? Then no I wouldn't pay it. If there is money still due to the company then yes I'd pay it,

treaclesoda · 12/12/2016 17:54

I wouldn't pay. Have known too many people wait for months in situations like yours.

monkeywithacowface · 12/12/2016 17:56

Depends really did you arrange your own kitchen fitters or are they from the same company that you purchased the kitchen from?

Original poster
blardyfeck · 12/12/2016 17:56

Yes it's the final amount outstanding, I've paid for everything else in advance.

OP posts:
Original poster
blardyfeck · 12/12/2016 17:58

The company I bought the kitchen from arranged the fitters & told me how much it will be.

OP posts:
monkeywithacowface · 12/12/2016 18:00

In that case no I wouldn't pay them the final balance until the job is complete

BoomBoomsCousin · 12/12/2016 18:01

If your contract is with the kitchen company you shouldn't pay until it's completed. If it's with the fitter himself, look carefully at your contract and discuss with him - maybe pay part now.

It's not your fault, but the kitchen fitter might be relying on the money for Christmas. That doesn't mean you shouldn't make sure there isn't sufficient incentive for him to come back and do a decent job, but it's important to remember that there are real people involved in these transactions.

Original poster
blardyfeck · 12/12/2016 18:08

Agreed BoomBoomsCousin, I think that's why I'm asking the question really. I know that it's about real people and it's so close to Christmas and it's not his fault he can't complete the job.

OP posts:
BoomBoomsCousin · 12/12/2016 18:13

Xmas Smile Don't be a mug though blardy. If your contract is with him make sure there is a good incentive - not just the payment for fitting the dishwasher, which could become a little job he doesn't get around until mid-Feb or something!

venys · 12/12/2016 18:13

This sort of thing is ridiculously common. I pay but keep back a bit that it might cost someone else to do the job - maybe £150 or so. That way they haven't lost their wages entirely. Admittedly they all still take the mick. I don't know why these guys can't finish a job - I have so much outstanding at the moment. :(

SocksRock · 12/12/2016 18:35

Could you offer 50% now and 50% when it's finished? They get something to cover what they have done and an incentive to return.

Original poster
blardyfeck · 12/12/2016 18:35

I will try not to be a mug but I admit, I'm useless at this sort of thing.
Perhaps I'll have a chat with the kitchen guy & agree to pay a proportion of the installation fees.
I have lost sleep about this as I can't believe that we're expected to pay for something that's not finished. I just find it incredible that he's asked us. It beggars belief

OP posts:
treaclesoda · 12/12/2016 18:41

I know three people who have waited over a year to get their kitchen finished when they have paid in a situation like this, not just a few weeks. If the contract is for payment on completion of the work, I would be very firm that you're not paying until every last thing is done.

mickeysminnie · 12/12/2016 19:08

Don't pay him ANYTHING until it is completed! As you say they have told you it is a matter of days, so he can wait.
It is telling that it is the kitchen company that are asking you to pay. I think they know it won't be a matter of days and don't want to fall out with the fitter but are happy to let you sing for your dishwasher! Can you tell I'm bitter??

CHJR · 12/12/2016 19:09

I wouldn't pay it, but I agree with Socks -- pay part but not all?

Crazeecurlee · 12/12/2016 19:20

PP suggestion of keeping back however much it will cost to get someone else to install it (and the cost of another dishwasher if you are worried about not receiving it at all) is a good one. The company can sub the fitters if what you pay isn't what they are expecting. I think that's fair. I suffer from anxiety too OP so I know how hard it is overthinking things and wondering if you are doing the right thing. Unfortunately that often means overcompensating and letting people take the mick. Hope it's sorted soon.

museumum · 12/12/2016 19:22

Call the company who arranged the fitters and tell them you don't want to pay till it's finished. They'll soon advise you what the ts&cs are on the contract.

greenfolder · 12/12/2016 19:30

Retain enough to make them come back. £500 is usually enough if its a small bit to do. Ive kept back £1000 on a kitchen and half the cost of a plastering job before

Itrynotto · 12/12/2016 19:32

Just hold onto a retainer. The cost of the dishwasher and what it would cost to get someone else to install it. i am guessing you are happy with the rest of the fit?

Original poster
blardyfeck · 14/12/2016 18:45

Thanks for all the advice and Crazeecurlee, you are spot on. Due to my anxiety I have a tendency to overthink things and overcompensate. I constantly worry about whether I'm making the right decision, what people think of me or if I'm being taken advantage of.
I'm staying strong on this one.

OP posts:
onceacuntalwaysacunt · 14/12/2016 18:49

Retain a portion of the outstanding amount - my ex is a kitchen fitter & nearly every job he goes to there is something missing. It is not his fault it is the companies - if customers don't pay then he doesn't get paid. He always returns as soon as the item is delivered even if its on a Sunday

Original poster
blardyfeck · 14/12/2016 19:01

It's a shame it reached this point. I'm pleased with the kitchen but this makes me doubt whether I would recommend them.
If I was the kitchen company, I wouldn't have even asked the customer to pay if the job wasn't finished. It just wouldn't have been mentioned. I may have subbed the fitter but that's the kitchen company's risk. I wouldn't dream of expecting payment up front. Its not professional, it's bad business & implies you have issues with your cash flow.
Hey ho just my opinion

OP posts:
Aeroflotgirl · 14/12/2016 19:07

No don't pay, the job has to be completed, and that means the DW and installation.

Sidge · 14/12/2016 19:19

Well to be fair you should have checked on delivery that all the appliances had been delivered as expected. The fact you didn't means that they couldn't finish the job - not their fault and not entirely your fault, but if you'd discovered on Monday the dishwasher was missing they might have been able to deliver it say Wednesday to be fitted Thursday, so the fitters could have finished on schedule,

I think paying 50% now and 50% on completion would be reasonable.

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