We moved into a 1930s semi this February, and love it. Lots of updating needed, so we are, using various tradesmen, working through.
We took on a carpenter as we wanted a front door in keeping with the house. We were going to get a bespoke one made, but he suggested checking eBay as there are lots of reclaimed period doors. He gave us advice on dimensions, and we bought a beautiful original 1920 door with original stained glass window. He came and collected it a couple of days after we picked it up, and took it to prep and get it painted.
Then the excuses started, and the weeks went by and we were beginning to get worried. I finally managed to get hold of him, and after several missed dates he came on Sunday just gone to remove old door and fit the new one.
It’s horrific. He lied, and then fessed up about employing a painter - he hadn’t. He had intended to charge us another £175 for a painter! The painting is dire. The door doesn’t fit properly at the bottom and feels like it could be kicked in. He didn’t fit the draft excluder he promised to, and the sponge seal inside the frame has ripped apart after one days’ use (he had to come back and do that yesterday as he hadn’t remembered to bring it on Sunday!).
He admitted he was out of his depth. He hasn’t invoiced us yet, and we haven’t paid him anything up front.
Apart from not feeling safe, and probably invalidating our house insurance, how should I proceed? I’ve read up on it, but want to word an email etc properly. I’ve tried calling/messaging etc and he’s just not responding. If I email him, how long should I give him to rectify the faults before getting someone else in to fix it.
So sad, the door itself is beautiful 😑😞😞😞