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Original poster

Plumber damaged bath while fitting it

105 replies

House1999 · 04/12/2022 08:07

Could I please have opinions/advice

I’m in the process of having a full bathroom refurb done.

Yesterday the plumber fitted the bath in place and put wooden battens all around ready for it to be tiled.

At the corner of the bath i’ve noticed part of the bath has been damaged by a screw from underneath when they have fixed the bath in place. The screw has gone through the wood and pierced the bath from underneath causing cracks.

The plumber has placed a piece of wood over the top (presumably so I don’t notice it yet) and when I lifted it I saw it. However it’s clearly noticeable.

The cost of the bathroom is £6200 for the plumber to do the renovation. £280 for the plaster, £300 electrics and the bathroom suite cost £2690. So I feel really disappointed seeing that it has been damaged knowing how much I’m paying.

Here are some photos.

What would you do?

Plumber damaged bath while fitting it
Plumber damaged bath while fitting it
Plumber damaged bath while fitting it
OP posts:
Original poster
House1999 · 04/12/2022 13:22

I’ve just had another conversation with him and he said he is going to do the repair next week.

I said I’m still not happy with that because the tiling is starting tomorrow and it will be too late to do anything.

He said he will try and repair today so I can see what it looks like.

I have just come out to get some fresh air and clear my head before I go back in again to speak to him. I know I need to ask him to replace it.

OP posts:
CoffeeBeansGalore · 04/12/2022 13:25

I showed it him and he said ‘oh yes something must have fell on it’, I have a really good repair kit. I’ve used the repair kit lots of times, you won’t know it’s there’. I said nothing has fell in it, it is from the screw underneath the bath’.

I said I’m not happy and he said ‘have faith’.

No!

You have paid for a brand new undamaged bath. If you'd wanted a "second" you would have paid a lot less. Be firm with him. No you will not accept a repair for his mistake/carelessness. Why should you deal with the aftermath of his damage? You want a new undamaged bath. It's what you paid for. It's what you expect.

He can keep the bath & repair it then sell on if he wishes. HE can have faith. YOU can have a new bath.

Do not compromise. This is not your fault

GardenNice · 04/12/2022 13:45

Do you know where the bath is from and how much it cost?
Most baths cost less than £200 so it's not a huge amount of money.

Original poster
House1999 · 04/12/2022 13:59

Thank you for all the replies, it really helps to see other views.

I have just spoken to him to say I’m not happy with a repair.

I said I understand it’s an accident but I don’t want a repair. I would like the bath replacing.

He said his wife doesn’t know he is here. He is trying to get it ready for the tiler tomorrow.

I said now is the time to replace it as it hasn’t been tiled yet. He said it will set you back until January (we go away on 17th) before it’s finished.

I said I don’t want you to work all day for nothing (he is putting boards up around the bath) if I want the bath replaced.

He said ‘you wouldn’t replace a new car if it was damaged. Give me a chance. Give me time. I’ve already started the repair’.

He isn’t listening to me and is just continuing to work and board the bath.

The tiler is due tomorrow.

OP posts:
Original poster
House1999 · 04/12/2022 14:00

The bath is called The Gap, by Roca from City Plumbing.

OP posts:
Sprouttreesareamazing · 04/12/2022 14:02

Think you need to be naming the shoddy bloke....

Letthesunshineonin · 04/12/2022 14:03

He’s a cheeky git and what’s his wife got to do with it?
Be firm and insist on a new bath asap.

notapizzaeater · 04/12/2022 14:03

House1999 · 04/12/2022 13:59

Thank you for all the replies, it really helps to see other views.

I have just spoken to him to say I’m not happy with a repair.

I said I understand it’s an accident but I don’t want a repair. I would like the bath replacing.

He said his wife doesn’t know he is here. He is trying to get it ready for the tiler tomorrow.

I said now is the time to replace it as it hasn’t been tiled yet. He said it will set you back until January (we go away on 17th) before it’s finished.

I said I don’t want you to work all day for nothing (he is putting boards up around the bath) if I want the bath replaced.

He said ‘you wouldn’t replace a new car if it was damaged. Give me a chance. Give me time. I’ve already started the repair’.

He isn’t listening to me and is just continuing to work and board the bath.

The tiler is due tomorrow.

No you wouldn't replace a damaged car, you'd refuse to take it !

lookersnoopy · 04/12/2022 14:04

Oh wow he sounds awful. I wouldn't let him back in my house at all as he isn't respectful and is dismissive of your instruction. I realise this means you would have to buy a new bath and source w new plumber, but there is no way I would have that cowboy back in my home.

Accidents happen, good trades people put them right.

MrsSkylerWhite · 04/12/2022 14:07

You withhold any further payment until it’s replaced.

sorry to have to say this in 2022 but I’m afraid it’s the only thing that works with some men. Do you have any large, male friends who can drop by for a coffee?

(What’s his wife got to do with anything??)

olympicsrock · 04/12/2022 14:10

Wow , what a disrespectful arsehole.
You need to tell him to stop proceeding with the work. The only work you are interested in him doing is removing the bath and organising a new one. He needs to claim on his professional indemnity.

Why should you trust him when he has been deceitful and tried to hide it from you?

If he continues to ignore you I would ask him to leave your home.

LovelyDaaling · 04/12/2022 14:11

I wouldn't accept a repair, even if he offered to knock money off the cost of the job. You will always be unhappy with the bath and have to live with it for years. He will be away and onto the next job and won't have to see it again.
His insurance should cover the replacement and he could very likely use the damaged bath on another job where someone wants a cheap deal.

Hold out for a replacement.

Sparklypant · 04/12/2022 14:12

I’d a plumber do this, it was a friggen night mare, I had a damaged bath, claimed in insurance, the man came out and replaced it, and he damaged the new one. He then point blank refused to replace it again

it ended up with an insurance adjudicator coming out and finding in my favour, he was told to replace it,

he furiously said to my husband as a parting shot when he finished, I don’t know how you’re married to her, what a horrible woman. My husband just laughed and said yeah, it’s a dirty job but someone’s got to do it. 😂

id remain adamant and say you’re not paying if he doesn’t replace it. I’m assuming you’ve not paid up front?

2bazookas · 04/12/2022 14:19

Tell plumber.
He should have professional insurance to cover accidental damage to clients property . If he doesn't, he's not going to get paid, is he?

stillvicarinatutu · 04/12/2022 14:22

The bath online is between 200-300 £ for the double ended one like you have .

He needs to replace it - tell him he can keep and repair the old one but you are paying g for a brand new bathroom in pristine condition and that's what you expect .

It's a small % of the whole job in the great scheme of things.

Tell him the delay will be unfortunate but you want the replacement.

Ihavekids · 04/12/2022 14:26

He's got you pegged as a walkover and is attempting to bully you into submission. OP I'm really sorry you're going to have to be really really firm.
I do not want a repair. I will only accept a replacement. I'm not going to change my mind. Please stop work right now. Repeat, repeat repeat. He's going to get pissy, stand your ground. It's better to wait longer for bathroom to be complete than let him get away with it.
I absolutely hate tradespeople who treat women like this and would never trust him with any work in my home again.

pluckie · 04/12/2022 16:01

I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't have insurance.

Roselilly36 · 04/12/2022 16:06

Sounds like he’s rushing the job to get his money before his Xmas break. Don’t allow the tiling to happen, the bath must be replaced, however long he says it will puts the job back, you will soon get a new bath delivered this week, if he needs wants his money, believe me.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 04/12/2022 16:06

Needs to be replaced not repaired. Hold firm.

BorgQueen · 04/12/2022 16:11

God my DH would be mortified if he damaged something in a customer’s house, let alone a brand new bath. That’s why Tradesmen have liability insurance, although for something costing £200, DH would pay for it himself.

It’s unacceptable.

Maray1967 · 04/12/2022 16:29

You need to hold firm, Go back up and tell him to leave as you insist on a replacement. I stood my ground on a paving job in the garden - insisted on a replacement slab as he’d damaged one. You mustnt let this go on any longer. He needs to stop now and get a replacement, and the tiler will have to come later.

Original poster
House1999 · 04/12/2022 17:04

The plumber went at 3pm today. He has part repaired it. I have repeatedly said I would like the bath replaced and he keeps repeating the same analogies that if I had a new car and it was damaged I wouldn’t go out and buy a new car.

He said he is coming back at 6:15 to finish the repair. I said there is no point in the tiler tiling around the bath if the bath has to be replaced.

He said it wasn’t him that damaged the bath, it was his apprentice who used a screw that was too long.

So far I have paid for the bathroom suite, £280 for the plaster and £700 for materials.

The plumber said I don’t pay him until completion.

The lighting is not great in the bathroom at the moment, he has covered the cracks with some kind of putty and sprayed white spray paint and now I can’t see the cracks. But it is dark and shaded in the corner. He said he is smoothing the paint down when he comes back. He wants me to see the end result and is totally dismissing the idea of a replacement bath.

OP posts:
MadeForThis · 04/12/2022 17:09

If you bought a brand new car and the dealership crashed it while delivering it to you, you would want a brand new car. Not one with the bodywork repaired.

Salome61 · 04/12/2022 17:13

I would get a torch and look at it properly. If you can live with it great, if you can't don't answer the door at 6.15 pm. Be really assertive.

Lindy2 · 04/12/2022 17:14

If you bought a new car and it arrived with a big scratch, then yes you would send it back. His example is ridiculous.

He has damaged the bath. He can repair it and sell it on to someone but you have paid for a brand new bath and your expectation is that a new bath arrives in an as new condition.