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.

Thanks Brummymum1. That’s good advice.

Come on now be honest... did stevie wonder do this job for you? 👨‍🦯😉

On a serious note, I agree with those saying its most probably been the "fitters" (I use that term lightly) that broke it and don't want to own up to it. There is no way you'd have missed that when you opened the box

That's a shit job all round OP, we're doing up a house ourselves and I could do a better job after a few beers.
Get them to sort it and to organise the replacement of the shower tap. No way in hell that a decent builder would install a broken fitting.

The whole thing is appalling Kitty. You absolutely shouldn't let them get away with this. My DH has just fitted a new bathroom in our house and it is a million times more professional looking than that even though he is entirely self taught. Cutting tiles to go into awkward shapes is a bit tricky and it did involve a few broken tiles and quite a lot of swearing, but honestly, any competent DIYer could do a far better job than these cowboys have done. Of course they broke the shower handle too - you would never have missed that, and surely a competent tradesman would have told you about it rather than just fit it if it was damaged.
I am not sure of the best course of action to be honest as I've never experienced anything like this. Trading Standards are maybe the people to contact? Personally I would be wanting my money back and probably some compensation in addition. I would get someone else in to do the work rather than trust these people to make it good. After all you've already been through the last thing you want is more problems after all you have been through. I really feel for you. After all that waiting and so much money you really should be able to enjoy the renovations, not be stuck with this shambles. Don't let them fob you off!

Yeh they totally broke it putting it in sorry. Why on earth would they not tell you others is if it was broken out the box?

That’s my thinking too. Even if I had somehow missed it they should have mentioned it before installing it. I think it’s obvious it was broken during the install.

We haven’t paid it all yet. We still owe around £7k. Not sure how much we should withhold though.

I'd consider saying final payment of the remainder on completion to your satisfaction. This is fundamental stuff, a very poor standard of work, not simple snags.

I’m torn between that and just getting someone else to finish it. I would feel very uncomfortable having people working in my house after we’ve had an argument. Might sound silly but I very much like a peaceful life. I will make that decision based on how the contractor reacts once he’s inspected it tomorrow. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt that he hasn’t seen it all yet.

Good luck tomorrow 😊

Oh bless you, the tiles and shower themselves are lovely so it'll look great when it's finished off properly.
Re the underfloor heating, it should be fine. Part of ours had a fault once and we were able to pull up the floor and fix it with very little disruption.

Thanks all. I really appreciate all the advice hugely. I’ve been so stressed! Will update when I’ve got news.

Oh my! Poor thing. Remember these things always seem so much more stressful when it's personal and your in unknown territory. Just remember everything is fixable with money. You've had some really good advice here, and I definitely wouldn't pay them a penny more until it's perfect given the potential scale of rework.

I think the correct and fair thing to do is to let them fix it in the first instance, but if you still aren't happy, you should be able to get someone else. A pp posted a link to Citizen's Advice. Just follow the guidance and although it's a hassle, it will be ok.

Hopefully your main contact will take one look at it and realise it's a problem. His reputation is the one on the line.

A new bathroom easily costs £7k so I wouldn't pay another penny unless it's all sorted.

And they should pay for any replacement items.

I vaguely remember dh cursing me while he did it...

Well he just texted me to say they’re all finished and I need to pay the balance today. I can’t imagine how they’ve fixed all that by 10am, but I will wait until we’ve both gone up to look before I make a final judgement. I’m 110% sure nothing has been done and I’m very disappointed.

Ihavepatrick that looks so much more like my hopes and dreams for this 😢 thanks for sending that. That will really help.

Tiling where pipes come through is terrible.

Pretend it’s your job to supervise and sign off on his work.

Awwww, Im really shocked by the tile work. Has the main contractor seen it yet OP. I actually can't imagine anybody passing this work. Im guessing that the plumber did it for extra work, clearly not an experienced tiler

Ihaveparrick, your dh has done a lovely job x

callmeadoctor I was giving the contractor the benefit of the doubt that he hadn’t seen it. He texted me this morning, 10am and said they were finished now and I have to pay him the balance today. I’m extremely sceptical that they can have fixed all that this morning. Will be heading to the house to look in an hour or so.

OP, sorry to ask this, but are you alone?

I found that some builders though they could bully me when I was home alone.

We aren’t living in the house atm as it needed so much work. We are in alternative accommodation (insurance paid for that). I have a husband but he left most of the dealing with them to me. He organised the money side of things. So far they have been fine. This is the first issue we’ve had.

It’s obviously a rush job as most of it was done in a day.