To feel I can't trust these plumbers?

[tradesmenwoes]

I employed someone to fix some plumbing issues at my home.

He came out and gave me a price for the work which I was happy with.

I've had terrible experiences with tradesmen so I am always on my guard.

So, came and started the work. It was meant to be finished in 1 day. However they contacted me to say they couldn't finish, as the shower tray they were meant to instal didn't fit. So they needed to get a new one and come back.

They measured the tray. They thought they could cut into the wall to fit it. On the day they decided this wasn't possible. I was told I'd need to pay for the new tray.

Before they came back, I found the shower wasn't working. They'd disconnected it to fix a leak and connected back up. Before there was no problem with the temp now it was only freezing or scalding. I googled which said the pipes were round the wrong way.

I told them. They refused to swap them round, told me they were definitely in correctly and I needed a new valve £100.

I'd also asked them to instal a sink. It was in place but the waste under the sink wasn't connected. They fixed this but when I turned on tap water pissed through the ceiling. The waste pipe beneath the bathroom wasnt connected to the drain (they'd assumed it was and just the connection below the sink needed doing. But wouldn't you check?)

I'm a bit fed up they were highly recommended but I don't feel I can trust then now. Would you? They're meant to come back to fix the sink and a kitchen tap. And the valve although that isn't necessary. I'm not sure I actually want them back...

Anyone?

They sound amateurish to me.

Have you paid them anything yet?

Have you paid them any or all of the money?

'Highly recommended' by whom?

Do they work for a known business or are they self employed?
If from a business, does the business have a shop or premises you can go to and speak to someone?
Did you do any homework before agreeing to their quote?

It's a business - limited company. I've had several different recommendations from friends of friends.

I've paid them for the work done so far which was the original price plus the cost of the replacement tray.

I had a rough idea what the work would cost based on day rate and materials, and their cost was around that level.

My DP says that they're ok. The stuff they have done is reasonable, he suggests I tell them they were wrong about the valve and get them back to finish the sink and do some other jobs.

Getting shower measurement wrong was an error. I could overlook that. But not checking the sink, and not believing me about the shower...I'm not happy about either.

I just don't feel I trust them.

But is that me over reacting?

Think I'll be looking for a new plumber.

We run a construction company and we would not be charging for replacing items that don't fit after we've measured it ourselves, we would return the one that doesn't fit after replacing for one that did. That's shocking customer service alone.

I didn't tell then what to get. They measured it themselves, said they'd be able to cut it to fit and then couldn't. Dps view was it was only another £150, but that's not really the point is it?

It's not the point. If you had chosen it, or insisted on that one and that it would work against our advice then we would expect you to pay for it. If we thought it would work, after measuring up etc then that's our problem, we've wrongly advised the supply. What will they do with the first one, return for money or install it in another clients house and effectively make a huge profit as you have paid for both! Ask where it is and that you want it back with proof of purchase so you return it and recover your cost.

Yes, that makes sense.

However as I've paid for the tray already, i don't think I can ask for the other one. DP's view was I was getting the second day of labour free (fitting the tray) so not to complain. But there was only a second day of labour because they got it wrong in the first place.

@pigletjohn is the person you need for this kinda thread!

I dod have another thread in property/ DIY, sorry I probably should have linked to it. pigletjohn helpfully confirmed on that what I thought, namely that the issue with the water being hot/ cold wasn't a valve but that the hot/ cold feeds were round the wrong way.

They sound crap. Unless they were trying to accommodate your choice with the original shower tray and said something like "well we can give it a try"

You shouldn't have to replace the tray. Was it them that ordered it?

They sound like amateurs to be honest and if it was me, I wouldn't allow work to continue.

The first shower tray wasn't one I chose, i never even saw it (as dp was here with them that day). When the guy came to quote I showed him the shower and that it was slightly too small for a standard tray to fit.

He measured it but said he'd be able to get a standard tray in by cutting into the walls. Then decided this wasn't possible and they needed a smaller tray after all.

It's just disappointing. All I want is a reliable workman!

I think I'm decided they won't be doing any more work. I'll have to get someone else to sort out the sink. And a few other plumbing jobs i have. Ugh. Was hoping Id got someone trustworthy.