Problems with a plumber.....

[Smee]

I'm hoping someone will have an idea of how I am suppose to deal with this problem!

Doing a major house renovation, finally found a plumbing company that quoted for some work. we went with this particular company as the quote was properly typed out with terms and conditions, they quote that they are a "which" approved company, the company owner came and looked around our property so knew exactly what was involved.

They started work in the Summer hols, sent only one plumber who we have no complaints with, good work ethic and knows what they are doing. We then had to wait for another trade to come onsite, they finished and we called the plumber to book for final work including new external soil pipe. We had to really chase for a date and finally got booked in for 20th and 21st of November! Tuesday morning we get a call from company owner saying the plumber that was due to come to us was off sick and he hasn't got anyone else to cover. No phone call on the Wednesday. I've called him today and was told that he would call me back when he's got a date!!!! Now where do we stand? Do we wait till whenever or do I call it quits and try and find another plumber. Do I get another quote (plumbers are like chickens teeth in these parts) and pay the original plumbing company the difference for work done?

We need to get the work finished so that we can crack on with the rest of the renovations. Part of me wants to tell the plumber to go and do one but then I'm worried we wont get another plumber in. We've not paid anything thankfully.

[witch]

The first thing to do is to try and find another plumber who can do the work fairly quickly, because if you cant do this then you are stuck with the plumber you have. If you CAN find someone else, contact your plumber to say that you cannot wait, and that if they invoice you for the work done you will pay for that.

DONT tell your plumber to do one unless you have a replacement - as you said, they are very hard to find

[Joanne]

If you haven't paid yet, just wait it out. I'm training to be a plumber.... where are you based?

[Smee]

If you haven't paid yet, just wait it out. I'm training to be a plumber.... where are you based?

 

Good luck with your training, the plumber that actually came out was a lady and she was really good, shame shes not been back to finish the job. I'm on the border between Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

[Joanne]

A little bit far for me unfortunately! If I were you, I'd give them one more chance to re-arrange, but keep feelers out for a replacement. We waited 5 months for a heating engineer to come and install a boiler....

[MatthewL]

What is it with plumbers, either always waiting ages or let down by them!

 

Give them chance to sort and set a deadline, don't burn your bridges but set that deadline for them to resolve or you go elsewhere.

[saggu]

Talking about plumbers...

Can anyone recommend a plumber who can fix Aqualisa digital shower. The company refuse to fix the issue they only replaces the whole set costing about £690!!

[jmak]

This thread has cheered me up. (Or at least made me feel less victimised) We're 5 weeks 🤯 into a bathroom refit. I went with a local firm that was recommended by several colleagues. I could have done it myself by now and taking unpaid leave probably would have been cheaper... Even after waiting months for a date, I reckon we've had about 10 days work out of the 24 working days since they started.

Talking about plumbers...

Can anyone recommend a plumber who can fix Aqualisa digital shower. The company refuse to fix the issue they only replaces the whole set costing about £690!!

We're having one of these fitted - is it Aqualisa who are refusing to fix it? I'd heard good things about their customer service which is why we bought it... They have their own fitters.

[Achandler]

Tradesman in general are forever a pain to deal with, from not turning up to give quotes at arranged times. Not turning up to do an agreed job, to wanting to be paid in cash, I'm sure this isn't for any unscrupulous reasons of course.

 

Then they are the first to complain as well when you change anything, something is perfect for them.

 

Sadly at the moment, the number of tradesman available in most areas is way less then the demand, around here due to the boom in building in the city centre they can all get longer term contract work, they don't need the domestic work and ultimately become a nightmare to deal with and there is nothing you can do.

 

Of course, the person may have genuinely been off ill and you might get a phone call today saying the boss has agreed to pay someone overtime to get it sorted on some days off and sorry for the inconvenience (he might be sorting that for you right now), so as others have said, don't burn your bridges yet.

 

But when you come to pay, tell the guy look we had agreed dates and I've had time off work for no reason as you guys didn't turn up, which has ultimately lost me a days off holiday with my family or a days wages if I take it unpaid and see what they say.

[Smee]

At least I've not paid the plumber, I made the mistake of paying an electrician for some lights and he never came back, ignored my phone calls and generally made me feel like I'd been taken for a fool :/ I'd only used him as he'd done some work in one of my schools, I knew the company (and had used them for about 10 yrs) and still got screwed over. Even when I complained to the boss of said firm I didn't get anywhere.

I'm going to give the plumber another week to get back to me at least I've got heating, a bath and an indoor toilet which is more than they left me with in the summer.

[Ditto]

At least I've not paid the plumber, I made the mistake of paying an electrician for some lights and he never came back, ignored my phone calls and generally made me feel like I'd been taken for a fool :/ I'd only used him as he'd done some work in one of my schools, I knew the company (and had used them for about 10 yrs) and still got screwed over. Even when I complained to the boss of said firm I didn't get anywhere.

I'm going to give the plumber another week to get back to me at least I've got heating, a bath and an indoor toilet which is more than they left me with in the summer.

This is why I always make sure I include legal cover on my home insurance. It's been useful for employment, but once they realise you will use the law to get a refund, they quickly realise it's best to refund quickly or risk additional expenses. Citizens Advice Bureau are also worth approaching.

[Smee]

This is why I always make sure I include legal cover on my home insurance. It's been useful for employment, but once they realise you will use the law to get a refund, they quickly realise it's best to refund quickly or risk additional expenses. Citizens Advice Bureau are also worth approaching.

 

I hadn't thought of that, I've got legal with mine too.

thank you