Will the computer say no?

[crushedgrapes]

I’ve paid Curry’s for washing machine installation + recycling of the old one. The new machine fits snugly under the worktop with a rubber mat on top.
Am I being unreasonable to suspect they might turn up without a screwdriver and expect me to magically remove the worktop myself? I've tried to get it off myself with a manual philips but the screws are too tight

Why are you trying to remove the worktop?

The old machine will be dragged out - watch out for your floor - and disconnected, then the new one offered up, connected and shoved into the gap.

Trust me, it'll be fine. 🧦👚🩲🩳👖🧦

What @JoshLymanSwagger said.

No need to remove the worktop.

It’s jammed in with rubber mats because otherwise it does the conga across the kitchen every spin cycle.
I’ve already been through this nonsense with John Lewis 10 years ago, they just shrugged and left because they couldn’t get the old machine out.

Pull the rubber mats out first?

Ring them and ask?

If you have made it more difficult to fit because you have jammed rubber mats in there then of course you should not expect them to sort it out. When you pay for fitting the expectation is that they can pull a machine out and push the new one in. Whatever you have done to make that not possible is your problem to sort

You are definitely the problem here.

@TomClarkson Do you have a ponytail?

Every washing machine I have ever had installed has literally been a case of sliding the old one out and the new one in. And I’m old so there’s been a few!

Sounds as if it is a very difficult job if you and the other installers couldn't manage it. I s there a local handyman who would take this on as a separate job? Someone who likes a challenge?

Agreed. DH would fit our washing machines, slides out old one and slides in the new one. If your washing machine is vibrating across the floor then it sounds like a problem with the machine. Ours fits snugly but not to the point you’d need to remove the worktop. Wouldn’t be able to anyway as they’re stone

Im sorry, what on earth?

But you're not paying professional tradesmen. You're paying deliverymen a token sum to connect some pipes and plug a machine in.

In my (extensive) experience, they won't do anything that requires tools.

No they don't you just need to make sure they are properly balanced and level. I've had several washers and dryers and I've never had to wedge any into place, they all just slide in and out under the countertop, with a cm to clear in every dimension.

OP I suspect they will say no. Independent fitters are usually more flexible than the ones from big organisations. We have a tricky washing machine fit similar to yours, and my husband always has to make sure it is virtually out and unplugged before they will replace it. Hope you have better luck.

ETA we have the same machine! It dances all over the place and we can’t control it 🤷🏼‍♀️

But they're going to be expecting to remove a washing machine and replace it with another one. All 'standard' domestic washing machines have the same size casing. Yes, it's usually a tight fit and requires careful wiggling and pushing, but there should be enough room - they are indeed designed to slide out and in (with a little bit of encouragement).

You've effectively reduced the available space to a bit less than the space that a washing machine needs and are expecting them to fit a washing machine into that slightly-too-small space. Did you actually tell them that you'd done that, or just expected them to guess that you're expecting them to put a washing machine into a space that's a little bit too small for a washing machine?!

I wasn’t wrong earlier, was I?

I suspect all you've paid for is a standard installation, which never involves the removal of the work top because washing machines are deisgned to be slid in and out. By making yours a non-standard install but not telling them I wouldn't be at all surprised if they refuse. However, you might find that the offer of £20/£50 or whatever depending on how much work is needed will miraculoulsy overcome the problem you have created :)

I've never had a washing machine that couldn't be slid out of position.

They won't expect to have to dismantle your worktop to get it out, but I guess they might do it. Why don't you unscrew the worktop in advance? That way you know they will definitely take the washing machine.

I don't think they'll do it. A standard installation that you pay for is to pull out the washing machine, disconnect the hoses, unpack the new one, remove travel bolts, slide it into place and connect it up. They won't have tools - or time - do dismantle the space to make the old one come out if it's wedged. If you can't get the screws out with a manual screwdriver then they're unlikely to be carrying out anything more substantial.

Say what? I have lived in several houses with several washing machines. None have been jammed into the opening with rubber. They all just slid in and out.

I would guess that installation means connecting up the hoses and sliding them in/out rather than dismantling your kitchen.

If yours needs a rubber mat because it moves, it sounds as though it wasn’t levelled properly in the first place. My washing machine is under a worktop, have never needed to do anything other than slide them in and out. I’ve had several!

I’ve never had to jam rubber mats under the worktop to stop the washing machine doing the conga.

Are you sure your floor isnt the issue?