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Plumbers tried to intimidate me after complaint - next steps?

3 replies

Mmsnet101 · 30/10/2020 11:36

Hi oh wise ones of mn!

So we had a new bathroom fitted just before lockdown. We had 4 quotes, all coming in similar prices but decided to go for a well rated local smaller business.

As the bathroom was being fitted there were a few issues, such as when the bathroom door was removed they managed to make a fairly big hole in it and multiple small dings made into my hallway walls etc. Spoke to them at the time and they filled the holes so all good.

Once completed we waited a day for the sealant etc to dry on the shower cubicle as advised, but found there were some small Leaks coming through and also the doors didn't quite meet up so they were also leaking. On closer inspection there were also bits of sealant missing in other areas of the bathroom. I contacted the company and they came straight out to resolve the issues and were apologetic. Everything was sorted so I paid in full by bank transfer upon receipt of the invoice, in good faith.

A few weeks later and we went into lockdown, but the shower started leaking again, just minor but still meant we had to use a towel to soak up parts of the floor after use. I contacted them and they assured me they'd be out as soon as they were allowed to operate again. They made good on this. I asked them to then do a quality check over the bathroom as I'd lost trust with the original fitters given the issues. The boss came out and said was all good.

Fast forward to now, part of the flooring has come apart with about an inch gap between the two sections. Again I contacted them and made the comment that the original guys had clearly cut corners to do the job quickly (they made comments while here that they could get an early finish on a Fri for a change etc). They came out this morning to resolve and this is where the real issues start.

They came in, 3 of them, with no masks on. In hindsight I should have stopped them then and there, but thought they'll go straight up, fix and leave so left it. 2mins later they called me up to show me something. There was then 5 of us(me with toddler in arms). I said I wasn't comfortable being that close not wearing masks and went to get back out, he then started having a go at me about telling his boss I thought he cut corners. He was pointing in my face and raised voice. The other guy started chipping in asking aggressively to show him where they had cut corners. I started to explain and they were just shouting over me. I said I'm not being spoken to like this in my own home and that they should calm down. They didn't so I told them to leave and that I'd be calling the boss, which I did.

I'm genuinely quite shook up by their intimidating nature, and for perspective I work in HR for a manufacturer so am quite used to confrontation!

My question is what next? I still have a dodgy floor. Part of me wants to phone the police to report their behaviour and the not wearing masks,but that's maybe a bit dramatic?

Do I have any comeback re shoddy workmanship given I've already paid in full and it's been a few months?

OP posts:
UnconsideredTrifles · 30/10/2020 11:47

That all sounds deeply unpleasant!

Are they are big enough firm that the boss could send out a different team? I would definitely be making a written complaint to him directly, saying what you want done and that new staff need to abide by local covid rules.

Mmsnet101 · 30/10/2020 12:04

I think it's these guys and the boss, as I've asked for other team members before and the boss attended himself.

OP posts:
UnconsideredTrifles · 30/10/2020 12:41

I'd give the boss the chance to fix it himself if he's got the skills - failing that, I'd be looking at small claims. You've got a right to expect a certain level of quality, and it sounds like they haven't provided it.

I feel really bad for you - renovations and toddlers are stressful enough without having to deal with incompetence and aggression!

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