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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be concerned my poor Dad is being ripped off?

28 replies

Stormypud · 20/10/2017 14:25

I don’t know what to do really. My dad is 86 but in fine health and mental capacity. He wants to turn his small bathroom into a wetroom, as he finds getting in the bath too much now. He has contacted a firm and a salesman came round and quoted @£9000 to do this. He also told Dad he’d need a deposit straight away, which Dad gave him. Over the weekend Dad rethought this and tried to cancel the contract really as he didn’t think it was exactly as he wanted, rather than price. The office said fine but then a couple of hours later the salesman phoned him and then turned up at his door.

He’s convinced Dad it’s all good and also convinced him to change his toilet (separate room) for an extra £1000 – total now just over £10,000.

Bathroom is size of a small house boxroom if you get my drift and for the £10,000 they are not even fully tiling the walls in the bathroom (just some of it) and not doing walls of toilet at all.

He did ask me what I thought but then got upset when I said I though it seemed too much and that for that price I would expect at least both rooms to be fully tiled so I don’t feel I comment again now. He’s happy to go ahead with it and it is his choice and his money. It’s certainly something he can afford.

I am just upset thinking that someone could go into my lovely Dads house and rip him off but AIBU and what would this usually cost? I don’t think he has chosen especially pricy fittings, etc.

Maybe I am being too protective of him. I am his only family as mum died 5 years ago and I’m an only child.

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 20/10/2017 14:26

Will your Dad let you get involved?

Msqueen33 · 20/10/2017 14:28

I'd suggest to your dad to get other quotes. Could you throw in my friend had a wet room done and paid X amount? I wouldn't go with the first people I spoke to especially as this lot aren't even tiling it.

Wilma55 · 20/10/2017 14:29

Can you Google the company for other complaints? Contact trading standards? Is there a 14 day cooling off period?

SloeSloeQuickQuickGin · 20/10/2017 14:29

The office said fine but then a couple of hours later the salesman phoned him and then turned up at his door.

This is WRONG! Please call the office again and complain, then call trading standards and the safeguarding lead at your local council. The salesman understandably doesnt want to lose a sale and wants to maximise his commission. Threaten with the local papers.

There is a legal cooling off period of 14 days.

www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-cancel-a-contract-without-being-penalised

FWIW I dont think the price is unreasonable, I paid 12k to have mine done BUT the issue is with the arm twisiting and upgrading.

Moanyoldcow · 20/10/2017 14:31

No, I don't think you're being unreasonable at all.

That cost sounds extortionate. I had a bathroom gutted, new fittings and tiled top to bottom for £5k all in.

CaveMum · 20/10/2017 14:31

Depends who he has gone to. Yes I agree that is definitely an astronomical cost, but some companies do seem to charge that much - we had a quote from Dolphin to redo our bathroom (standard Victorian terrace) of £16,000 Shock

Can you find a local trusted builder/plumber to come out and price up the job rather than a firm reliant on sales people?

OurMiracle1106 · 20/10/2017 14:32

I would definitely advise your dad to get another quote to see if he’s getting his money’s worth.

The immediate deposit makes me feel uncomfortable. A reputable firm will give you time to think

CaveMum · 20/10/2017 14:32

Depends who he has gone to. Yes I agree that is definitely an astronomical cost, but some companies do seem to charge that much - we had a quote from Dolphin to redo our bathroom (standard Victorian terrace) of £16,000 Shock

Can you find a local trusted builder/plumber to come out and price up the job rather than a firm reliant on sales people?

Birdsgottafly · 20/10/2017 14:33

Also, OP, inquire about grants in his area, it will be on the LA website.

This does need complaining about and canceling, meawhile.

CaveMum · 20/10/2017 14:34

Sorry for the double post.

I ought to add we did not go along with Dolphin's quote and instead got a local builder and his team to do it for substantially less.

bigbluebus · 20/10/2017 14:41

My DM had her bath ripped out and a full length low level shower tray and surround installed. They put in an electric shower which had to be wired to the meter box, installed a new light fitting and electric over door fan heater. They used aquaboard in the shower to save having to re-tile. Also included a seat in the shower. Total cost was £2800. Job completed by a local plumber & electrician within 4 days - that was 3 years ago.

Original poster
Stormypud · 20/10/2017 14:43

Thanks for all your replies. I would like to get involved but Dad might not appreciate it at all - I'm 52 but still his "child" if you get my meaning. I did try to get him to get quotes but this was the first one he tried and just went with it. It's just not like him (which is my concern really). The Company is a Which? recommended company (whatever that means) and angled to the old persons market.

I just feel angry that they seem to be dealing with the elderly incorrectly, but impotent as if I do phone up and go for it Dad will be offended. Practically I suppose there's not much to do actually but watch them like a hawk and make sure it's perfect and exactly what he wants. If not I'll get em!!

OP posts:
MiniCooperLover · 20/10/2017 14:44

Get involved !! Tell him you don’t doubt his ability but equally it’s too expensive, it won’t be a wet room if not fully tiled surely? He may get annoyed but it’s better than getting fleeced! They’ve put up the price by £1k already in one visit, absolutely no way £10k is all he’ll pay.

shockedballoon · 20/10/2017 14:47

Sounds pricey to me. I would expect more round the 4-5k mark. The thing that really gets alarm bells ringing though is the hard sell technique they seem to be using.

If your dad will let you help I'd be ringing round for more quotes and jibbing this company.

Original poster
Stormypud · 20/10/2017 14:48

Birds - thanks for that suggestion re: a grant - I did suggest that to Dad too but he said he didn't need it as he had the money so someone who had less money would be helped. I haven't seen the full quote yet but I'm cooking sunday lunch for him on Sunday so I'll see it then.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stormypud · 20/10/2017 14:51

Mini - You're right. I'll speak to him Sunday - seeing the quote may be able to lead into the conversation.

OP posts:
maddiemookins16mum · 20/10/2017 15:02

Gosh, my mum had hers done about 4.5 years ago. Bathroom ripped out and tiled all over, new floor, toilet, sink and shower but as a wet room shower. Cost under 4K.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 20/10/2017 15:05

Is there anyway you can find those posts of before/after from those house /bathroom renovation groups... When they say... Ah yes I had to do xyz list of jobs... The total cost was x?

I have to do this a lot for my elderly relative... He has mental capacity but he has no idea what stuff costs so goes with any old quote.

jay55 · 20/10/2017 15:09

It’s not really a wet room if it’s not fully tiled is it?
Gently suggest getting a second quote and ask friends if they can recommend anyone. That the salesman came back and took more money is so worrying.

MatildaTheCat · 20/10/2017 15:10

Is it a firm 'endorsed' by Age Concern? My FIL recently decided to have a stairlift fitted by such a company and my God they moved at the speed of light. He got extremely defensive when we tried to get involved so I understand how hard this is.

I'd suggest this does seem very expensive and that he gets some more quotes done. If it is then still his preferred choice, well fine.

I agree the salesman coming back is dreadful. Your father is vulnerable at 86 and I agree that you should try to get involved or next thing you know he will have agreed to something else again.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 20/10/2017 15:14

Contact your local Trading Standards. The salesman coming back to pressurise is well out of order.
Unless the product is "Custom Made" the 14 Day change of mind should apply (as long as it was signed for outside of their showroom)

I had similar with my DParents, extremely £££ double lazing could not cancel (due to above reason) , I don't know how long the Saleman was there (DDad paid £500 deposit) no time given to get other quotes (but they wouldn't have suggested finding out what the competition was offering anyway)
But yes very difficult to get involved as you are not the Customer, your Dad is.

Original poster
Stormypud · 20/10/2017 15:18

Thanks all. Do you know, I hadn't even clocked the fact that if it's not fully tiled it's not a wet room. D'oh. Yes I am going to have to talk to him on Sunday (we're a week in ie. the initial meeting was exactly was week ago today so it's in time). I just so want him to get the proper bathroom he wants and should have and if that costs whatever then fine. He's always done his own DIY and never really had the money to get tradesmen in to do anything. In fact his current bathrom is a symphony of avacado and pine that he did himself in the early 80s.

But I also don't want him to be taken advantage off because he is old.

OP posts:
Rescuepuppydaft2 · 20/10/2017 15:36

Please contact your Dads gp/ occupational therapist, your Dad may qualify for a grant to change his bathroom into a wetroom. You need input from an of to make sure that the bathroom is going to meet your Dads needs.

My parents paid for an (accessible) walk in shower. However as they arranged it themselves, they got the specification wrong and now a few years down the line, my Mum is unable to use the shower as the seat is too low and she can't lift her feet over the very low lip into the shower (they needed a wetroom but were convinced that a large shower cubicle would be better).

Depending on finances your Dad will have to contribute to the cost. The most important thing however, is that you have occupational therapy input to ensure that your Dads needs will be met.

Original poster
Stormypud · 20/10/2017 15:52

Thanks Rescue - another good point! You are all so full of good advice here.

OP posts: