Best way to get my plumber to finish the job?

[EightiesChick]

Got a small plumbing firm in to fit two replacement bathrooms - we have a full-size bathroom and an en suite. This was completed before Xmas, all but the fitting of the last shower rail and the bit that holds the shower head onto the stalk (sorry, rubbish at describing this) so it can be used, plus a toilet roll holder. So only tiny bits, but it has meant one shower isn't being used because it still needs a rail etc. I had my DC unexpectedly early, at the start of January, and we'd been intending to get the plumber back to finish the job after Xmas, but in coping with a new baby (1st time parents) we left it as we did have one working shower.

So far we have left various phone messages and none have been returned. What should I do now? I don't have any written record of him saying he'd come back to finish the job, and he has been paid in full. Any advice welcome.

have they gone bust?

speak to head office direct

try a letter - recorded delivery if they are still in business and threaten small claims court

you must never pay in full up front

have you got a job shceule or anythign?

recorded delivery letter to their registered address spelling out what needs finishing for them to complete their contractual obligations to you (pointing out they've already been paid in full & the phone messages ignored).

Give them a date to finish the work (say a month's time) stating that they need to complete their contractual obligations to you by xx-date and time is now of the essence.

State that if they don't come back & finish it then you will employ someone else to do it & send them the bill, pursuing them through the small claims court if necessary.

Only sounds about an hour's work or so to finish it, so hopefully that might spur them into action.

...but before you do any of that check the terms of your contract with them, there might be a clause saying that once final payment is made that you accept that they have completed their contractual obligations to you...

have you got any paperwork, an invoice, estimate, quotation etc

Did you pay with cheque or cash?

I'm hoping that you have some proof that they did the job and that they havn't finished it yet, can you pop around to their address and ask them if they can come on x date to finish up.

If no joy do an official get your arse round to finish what you started type letter, then small claims court, but you will need some evidence that they did the job to back up your claim, should it get that far.