AIBU to complain about service from unreliable plumber?

[SurSea]

I booked a plumber in to do a first fix for a new kitchen to start in September. He committed to this date and understood that other trades were dependent on him completing his work on time (plastering, electrics, fitter etc).

He has made excuses about being on holiday, being busy etc weekly since then and sent his apprentice to do the work in fits and starts. It has been going on for about a month now, with an hour here and there and work needing to be re-done as he put one pipe in the wrong place etc.

I cant supervise during the day as at work and no partner but it seems really poor service as he is unreliable and has shifted the work to an apprentice.

He emailed me to claim first fix now complete.

Shouldn't he be checking the work if it is by an apprentice before billing? And how do I give feedback that Im not happy eith the delays, poor communication and lack of supervision of apprentice without him huffing off the rest of the job?

I live in a place with very few plumbers and doubt I would easily find a replacement for second fix.

I don’t have any advice but I find the trades rife with this sort of shite service - particularly plumbers!

I was told by my my builder that I would need to move out of my house for five days whilst they did a bathroom renovation. Date agreed, everything ordered, off I pop. Come back to a back to brick room, a toilet and was told I can use the kitchen sink. That was two weeks ago.

Since then, I've stayed in a travelodge and am now in a caravan. The dust at home has triggered my asthma, my dog is now on tranquillisers and I just so needed a shower and be able to go to the loo without asking.

I paid for two guys to come in yesterday to finish some plastering, they were absolutely brilliant that the original guy swore black and blue would be finished Sunday. New guys, two hours, job done.

Anyway, I just wanted to send you solidarity! The caravan I'm staying in is privately owned by a guy who apparently has a few on this holiday park. I explained why I had to move out for a few days, ten minutes up the road and, oh! We had a very long conversation about workmen, swapping names of awful ones, etc.

I don't know what it is about tradespeople. You get the odd fab ones, the rest tie their horse up on your garden fence, take off their cowboy hat and suck their teeth a lot.

This caravan has two bedrooms, a fancy coffee machine with coffee and complimentary biscuits. Do you want to move in as well?! 😆

I hope that makes sense. I'm just venting!

Good luck to you though.

Presumably he’s self employed so it’s not really a “complaint” in the traditional sense. Work out what you want (say 10% discount) and ask him with the reasons behind it. A world of warning though, don’t be overly surprised if he comes round your house shouting and ranting 🙈

@DinoLil what a disaster, youre taking it so well, have you been on the dog's tranquilisers? 😂 Any sight of being able to move home?

Completely agree you can get some great people, my plasterer has saved my skin in many rooms of the house and love my electricians (so very, very messy but they turn up). Offsetting experience - decorator over the summer who stripped down to his underpants every day after work to have a hosepipe wash in the front garden. It wasnt the diet coke experience.

So annoyed that this evening come home to find no water for showers tmw, toilet flushes etc. Apprentice clearly forgot to turn the water mains back on. Probably because he is an apprentice and needs to learn but wish it wasnt at my expense.

@Bambamhoohoo perfect advice, thank you. I will stop being so conflict avoidant and have the conversation.

That's so bad putting the apprentice round between said plumber isnt charging you apprentice rates.
Pure piss taking!

Bet not between.