how deep is a breakfast bar? ours has just been fitted, only 8" deep

[MamaChris]

Is 8" deep normal for a breakfast bar? We were expecting at least 12"-15", so that there's room for a plate on top fgs. Or is 8" normal? Don't want to start argument with builders if we're expecting the abnormal, but it seems we have something unusable

is there a worktop at right angles to the worktop on this side...a return

and you have my sympathies it isnt easy managing builders

no worktop at right angles to this one, so should be easy to fix, at least

yes sounds simple enough if you just want it deeper throughout

chin up

Mamachris whatever response they come up with just keep repeating calmly but firmly in a non agressive manner "Yes, but it's not an adequate breakfast bar at all; it can't hold a plate." (have a decent size plate ready to demonstrate that, not an 8" one! But don't leap to demnststrate it just keep repeating this phrase whatever bullshit they come back with. You can of course mention you asked for plans twice but non were forth coming if they use not having plans as a defence but other than that just REPEAT THE ABOVE). Just say it as if it is fact (which it is!) not as if it's an argument or an opinion; say it as if it's FACT. Whatever response they come up with say nothing except repeating the above. The same with the tiling. "There is a 15cm gap; it needs re doing". They will find it very hard to say no if you don't give them any argument and don't enter into any debate about it. It is a great assertiveness tactic that i read in a book once and have used it successfully ever since. Whatever they come up with you can say "Yes, but we asked for a breakkfast bar and this isn't a useable breakkfast bar; you need to redo it"
Same with tiles.

Good luck Mamachris, let us know how you get on.

peasoup do you want to talk to them for us?

ALright. thanks everyone for all the advice. off to talk to them now. will let you know how it goes!

How did you get on MC?

well I did it!

I said that it was too small to fit a plate. The builder agreed with me, but his boss tried to be awkward. First it was my fault for "being vague" - I reminded him he refused to supply plans and that you couldn't fit a plate on it.

Then he said they could get a 900 worktop but there would be costs. I asked why and reminded him I asked for plans and that you couldn't fit a plate on it. (Usually at this point I would have been so relieved he'd agreed to fix anything that I'd have agreed to pay).

Then he said maybe we could share the costs. I asked why and reminded him I asked for plans etc.

Then he said he'd get a 900 worktop there tomorrow!

He didn't explicitly agree to carry the cost yet, and I may have to repeat the discussion, but I feel I have a tactic that will work!

Thank you all for all the help

well done

That's good news. Good for you.

Yippee! I love that tactic! It changed my life! Well done you; you're going to go all mad with assertion now and start building your own property developing empire! (Hmmm...perhaps not the best idea in the current climate, etc., etc.) But I think it'll give you a thrill to know that you can handle these bastards builders. Well done.

Its like you hypnotised him or something. You're like Derren Brown. Ask him for his wallet next time.

That "broken record" technique really works!

yup - loving the technique, thanks for suggesting it peasoup. Now I'm almost itching to find that next assertiveness moment. Not sure it'll work on wallets, but will let you know if I give it a go

It works a treat on unruly DH's too.
"Yes, but I need you to come home from the pub as I'm tierd and want you to take over" REPEAT, REPEAT, REPEAT, hey presto, DH comes home!

Well done! Bet you feel completely empowered now