Legal representative for kitchen

[Ilovechoc12]

Hello,

If anyone has used a legal representative for a kitchen disaster - are you able to let me know who you used? If that’s not allowed please delete this thread.

We have had a large handmade wooden kitchen and utility (prefer not the name the supplier) but it’s been an absolute disaster and still ongoing .....

I would love more than not to see this kitchen again! So wanting to use someone to get money out of the company as they have been a nightmare. Even though they have fantastic Instagram followers!

Thank you xxxx

How much did you pay for kitchen OP ? Can't you go via small claims court ? Was it a local company to you or a nationwide OP ? Just asking as it would be good to hear your experience for those planning to invest £££ in a handmade kitchen right now.

It was over £30k by a long way so can’t go to small claim courts unfortunately.

Nation wide - well known high end supplier of bespoke handmade kitchens ....

If anything it sounds like a breach of contract claim. You need a decent commercial litigator with knowledge of consumer contracts.

Check your household insurance policy and see if you have legal expenses insurance. They may help find a lawyer for you. Alternatively just Google firms who do civil litigation work.

Thank you for everyone’s comment - yes I’ve just checked and we do have legal cover with insurance ..... although my husband is worried if they are “average” ?!?!

However we might go with someone local who deals with consumer law. Even if it means spending a few thousand prob worth it.

Chilli bean sauce - I really hope you don’t go with the same supplier 🤞🤞🤞 curved islands are a nightmare with wood !!! That was one of the many issues - Hope you get a square / rectangle island ! / no island!

however the company acknowledge that it’s been a bad ! With lots of problems. If I had spent less cash it’s easier to accept all the issues!

It’s absolutely dreadful these large companies taking such large amounts of cash and a rubbish service!

I’d love to post all the pics up and name and shame but I’m keeping shhhh until it’s sorted! It’s quite laughable really (although I’ve cried lots / been super stressed too) over this kitchen! I’d never do it again! Easier to move house 🤣🤣🤣 or I could get a builder to build a new house in the time this kitchen has taken and ongoing 🤪🤪🤪

Hope you have a great W/e x

Why did you pay them if the quality was so poor? Should have insisted it was corrected

Your insurers might agree to cover a local solicitor (assuming you're not looking to instruct a magic circle firm) . When I worked at a law firm in civil litigation some insurers were happy for us to act instead of panel insurers. We just needed to write to them to confirm we believed the client had a real prospect of success and send updates during the case. When we reached the stage of offers we also needed to let them know the offer and if we were planning to reject it, confirm that we believed the client would be awarded more at court. If it went to court and the judge awarded less they'd be liable for the other sides legal fees from the date of offer so you'd need to have a good chance of beating it for them to agree to continue cover.

You have to pay upfront for everything before they put you into the system! It’s catch 22

@Ilovechoc12

You have to pay upfront for everything before they put you into the system! It’s catch 22

Well, I would never ever do that!

@Ilovechoc12

Thank you for everyone’s comment - yes I’ve just checked and we do have legal cover with insurance ..... although my husband is worried if they are “average” ?!?!

However we might go with someone local who deals with consumer law. Even if it means spending a few thousand prob worth it.

Chilli bean sauce - I really hope you don’t go with the same supplier 🤞🤞🤞 curved islands are a nightmare with wood !!! That was one of the many issues - Hope you get a square / rectangle island ! / no island!

however the company acknowledge that it’s been a bad ! With lots of problems. If I had spent less cash it’s easier to accept all the issues!

It’s absolutely dreadful these large companies taking such large amounts of cash and a rubbish service!

I’d love to post all the pics up and name and shame but I’m keeping shhhh until it’s sorted! It’s quite laughable really (although I’ve cried lots / been super stressed too) over this kitchen! I’d never do it again! Easier to move house 🤣🤣🤣 or I could get a builder to build a new house in the time this kitchen has taken and ongoing 🤪🤪🤪

Hope you have a great W/e x

I am pretty up on panel firms. Happy to give an opinion if you need one although your case isn't going to be deemed particularly complex so 'average' sols would be fine.

If it helps most insurance panel firms will be listed In the Legal 500.

@Ilovechoc12 sorry to hear you've had a bad experience. We're having a kitchen made shortly. Would you be comfortable sharing the name by PM please?

I need to pay the money for ours by 11th September and I'm a bit worried it may be the same company!

TH?

I think there's a lot wrong with a company that wants paying upfront in total for this sort of job. I used to do contract work (not kitchens) on jobs that lasted for several weeks, and I charged a third upfront, so I could pay for materials, a third part way through to continue the job, so I could be sure to cover wages for anyone else working on the job, and a third at the end, of course only when the customer was satisfied, which would pay anything else and my wages. That gave my customers some clout, and me, my suppliers and co-workers some security. It always worked well, and I, my suppliers, and anyone else working on the job, always got paid in full.