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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Tradesman left job half done and ghosted me

15 replies

OwlsFirstFlight · 17/12/2023 10:54

I had a tradesman who had been recommended on Nextdoor install vinyl in a tiny (1.7m x 1.5m if that) bathroom.

After 5 hours on the job, he said he was going for sealant. Then he messaged saying his tire had blown. Few more messages of frustration at mobile tire person not appearing, he stopped replying and has blocked me on WhatsApp and is not responding to messages.

Given it took 5 hours, I'm now wondering if he didn't know what he doing, panicked and left then made up an excuse.

He's left it in a mess - messy sealant, rough edges and bits not done around the toilet and sink.

How do I fix it? There's barely any vinyl left despite me getting 20% extra. Do I just need to cut out what isn't covered, glue it down then try to seal it best I can? I'm crap at DIY hence getting someone in.

Tradesman left job half done and ghosted me

OP posts:

RaisinsOfMildAnnoyance · 17/12/2023 11:29

Have you got the money to get someone else in to redo the job? He fucked up the cut and ran off, clearly. It needs to be redone imo. Did you pay him?

Original poster

OwlsFirstFlight · 17/12/2023 11:38

I didn't pay him thankfully but the flooring was hard to find (in NI, noone delivers here) and I can't afford to buy it again.

OP posts:

Original poster

OwlsFirstFlight · 17/12/2023 11:50

Should I give him a bad review on Nextdoor (where I found him) or just leave it? I'm so angry.

OP posts:

RaisinsOfMildAnnoyance · 17/12/2023 11:54

I would! Protect other potential clients.

You might be able to fit beading/trim yourself to cover the poor sealant job, and fit an offcut round the back of the loo, until you can afford it to be redone. I

I have zero experience laying flooring and managed to do a better job in my own bathroom. It was meant to be a stop-gap but we've just left it and are moving now.

Rainbowshit · 17/12/2023 11:56

Fitting bingo is one of those things that looks easy but is actually very tricky. One wrong cut and you ruin the whole piece of vinyl.

It's probably unsalvageable looking at the bit behind the sink and you'll need to buy more vinyl and start again.

Really he should be paying to replace the vinyl hence him running off.

Rainbowshit · 17/12/2023 11:57

Rainbowshit · 17/12/2023 11:56

Fitting bingo is one of those things that looks easy but is actually very tricky. One wrong cut and you ruin the whole piece of vinyl.

It's probably unsalvageable looking at the bit behind the sink and you'll need to buy more vinyl and start again.

Really he should be paying to replace the vinyl hence him running off.

Bingo=vinyl. Damn autocorrect

Original poster

OwlsFirstFlight · 17/12/2023 12:08

Should I send a message asking to be reimbursed for the flooring? I'm blocked on WhatsApp but not sure if on messages. Haven't called him as he is a big fella and I don't want confrontation.

OP posts:

App13 · 17/12/2023 12:11

I would do a small courts claim on him.

I did so and that scared the living daylights out of my bathroom fitter

Original poster

OwlsFirstFlight · 17/12/2023 14:21

It's only £48 quid, but I have asked him to reimburse me - he's ignored me obviously.

OP posts:

Delpf · 17/12/2023 16:26

Like a previous poster, I did the linoleum in my tiny bathroom and it looks fine. Got someone in to do the kitchen, as it's much bigger - completely ruined. I blame myself in hindsight for not asking to see examples of previously floor fittings.

OP, keep a note of how many times/when/how you've tried to contact him. Given that you've not paid him any money I'd be expecting him to get in touch in a couple of weeks to ask for payment. I'd make him aware that you're not happy with the job before that happens.

Original poster

OwlsFirstFlight · 17/12/2023 17:41

He knows I'm unhappy and had said the job was free of charge due to his tyre blowing (which I don't believe, he kept promising to come back then blocked me). It's now that I can't afford to get the flooring again - it was hard to find to begin with. Also I'm just exhausted and stressed after the end of an awful year with my mum dying and I just really didn't want the stress.

OP posts:

App13 · 17/12/2023 17:57

He could reimburse you for the materials you can no longer get , should you raise a small claims court.

When my plumber got the papers through the post he frantically paid me 600 pounds to stop the process

KievLoverTwo · 17/12/2023 18:52

So if he blocked you on WhatsApp does that mean you do actually have his phone number?

I would send him a text message, or if you think he has blocked you there, get a friend to text him.

Say you know it's a tricky time of year to fit work around family priorities, but you would like to give him the opportunity to make the job good with replacement vinyl before you feel you will be duty bound to leave a negative next door review. Give him til 15th Jan, or something quite reasonable.

Original poster

OwlsFirstFlight · 17/12/2023 19:17

I've sent him a text and also sent a Nextdoor message - he's just ignoring me. I don't think he's actually capable of doing the job right.

OP posts:

CatherinedeBourgh · 17/12/2023 22:15

The sealant you can just pull off and replace more tidily. The bad bits are harder, but I think given they are in out of the way places you can get away with neatly cutting a piece of lino in the same colour, sticking it in the gap so that there are no gaps and if necessary using some transparent sealant. It won't be perfect but it'll be better than what's there.

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