AIBU to be annoyed about my new shower?

[Kittybythelighthouse]

Hi, I just got a brand new shower plumbed in and the handle is cracked - just a cosmetic ceramic piece but annoying all the same. The plumber said it was like that when they opened the box. I did look at it when it was delivered and I’m sure I’d have noticed that, but it is possible that I just didn’t notice it. If it was cracked when they went to install it I’d have expected them to say something so I could have returned it. As it stands they didn’t say anything, went ahead and installed it, and now I can’t return it. It’s not the end of the world of course, but it does bother me. The shower was over £300. Am I being unreasonable? What would you do? Is it possible to get that little ceramic bit replaced? I think it’s just going to bother me every time I see it now.

1. he broke it

2. he is not a competent plumber.

There is a wallplate fitting specifically for avoiding that hideous mess with the grout. Costs around £15 and any plumber with a week's experience should know. I fear it will leak into the wall.

Start asking round friends and neighbours whose opinion you trust, for a competent local plumber to patch it up. Do not use a website where they pay to be listed and can write their own reviews.

That is a dogs dinner.

Apologies to dogs with good taste everywhere.

GreyishDays no not yet. The contractor said he would have a look tomorrow. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt that the tiler was new to him and he will agree that it isn’t good enough.

The tiling leads me to think that they broke it, shoddy with a don't care attitude. Awkward I know but they should really fix it before you pay.

the correct fixing is shown
here

Yes I’m definitely not going to pay and leave it. I’ll give him a chance to make a case for himself. I think the tiler was working alone over the weekend for some reason, so perhaps the contractor hadn’t seen it yet.

How can you work on the finish? Unless they completely redo the tiles without leaving those big gaps. I would not be paying for that job.

PigletJohn thank you. That’s it without tiles?

Excuse the fact that the fittings need a good clean but this is an example of how fittings can fit flush to tiles

Possibly silly question - we have underfloor heating (electric) installed in this room. Will that have to be replaced if the tiles have to be replaced?

ShalomJackie that’s a beautiful job. I’m jealous. Hopefully ours will be as nice when fixed.

In terms of consumer right have a look at citizens advice.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getting-home-improvements-done/problem-with-home-improvements/

Take good photos of things as they stand now.

Honeygirlz I’m not sure exactly how much the tiling was as my husband did the money side of it and he’s not here, but I think that this room plus the neighbouring utility room redo was something like £17,000. We haven’t paid it all yet.

Thanks lockdown, that’s helpful.

Kitty - the more I see the angrier I am for you, what a nightmare that shoddy, sloppy workman has dumped on you. That is an expensive and attractive shower, it should look stunning, how dare they make it look like that. I feel your pain, hope you get it sorted soon.

Thank you flatpackback. We have been out of the house for several months and have been so looking forward to getting it finished. It is heartbreaking.

I've got that shower, with metro tiles too. Dh fitted it using diamond tipped drill bits I think. I'll take a photo tomorrow for you to compare.

Poor you OP I hate stuff like that. Hopefully the contractor will be apologetic. At least these days they risk being shamed on social media if they dont look after customers.

Thanks Ihavepatrick, that would be super helpful.

Why didn't the plumber question the chipped shower dial??? The tiling around the pipes is appalling. I wouldnt accept that either.

I feel bad because the contractor has always been a nice man, but then everyone is nice if you’re soft and clueless! This is already several weeks behind schedule btw and we’ve been super chill about that.

Whattodo2019 I have no idea. That’s my question too.

£17k for a downstairs shower room and utility?!?!

I’m a construction professional. That shower install is so poor I wouldn’t let whoever installed it back to correct it. Assuming you have a main builder who has subcontracted the tiler/plumber (or whoever made that mess around the shower) I would raise it with them and ask them to resolve. It should absolutely be at the builders expense. Hold back a decent chunk of money until all of your issues on the project are resolved. The money you hold back should be the equivalent amount that is needed to resolve all of the issues so that in case work is still not properly done, you can pay someone else to come and re-do it and not be out of pocket. If you’re really out of your depth, you could always phone a local architect, explain your situation and ask if they would be your advocate on an hourly time charge rate to inspect the work to see what does/doesn’t fall below a reasonable level of workmanship. Good luck.

There was quite a lot of work involved. We got three quotes and theirs was the middle quote.