R
RGN007
My version is I asked a plumber for a quote on fitting a new suite to an existing tiled bathroom. I only asked for him to remove the floor tiles because I was having a wall hung vanity sink and the previous bathroom installer, only 4 years earlier, had tiled the floor around the sink pedestal so this would have left an ugly gap. I didn't realise the plumber would also remove all my new ply sub tiling floor but he said it broke up removing the tiles. Unfortunately, this meant my new vinyl choice also needed yet another ply underlay...oh well...I would not have gone through with removing the floor had he explained this but he didn't and just took up the whole lot. He offered to come back at no extra charge £575 for 3 half days work as he already had other smaller jobs to fit in so he arrived each day just before lunch and left tea time on 2 days and only stayed a couple of hours on the Saturday. He didn't "fit" the toilet or the bath panel, and the several tiles he thought might need replacing stayed in tact all round the bath except for 2, and 2 mosaic ones where the bath was shorter. The tiling was in the price, but whilst doing the job (4 tiles) he said he hated tiling and would I like to employ a tiler! He begrudgingly carried on, though he was delighted I had paid extra on delivery of the suite for all items to be carried upstairs for him.
However, when I went in the bathroom to inspect the progress I was dismayed at the pipes on show beneath the new vanity unit! Had I known in advance I would have a) like a quote for re channeling the pipes. b) send the new vanity unit back intact and paid for a standing one.
At this point the plumber changed personality and started accusing me of thinking he is a charity and that as the customer, I should have been aware that such pipes were obscured by the previous pedestal. I stated I would have expected an experienced plumber to be aware that on giving a quote it was his job to survey where the water supply fed from and that leaving the pipes where they were had defeated the object of my having the floor taking up and that he had now damaged my new vanity unit by making (not that neat) holes through the bottom of it. I could not now return it.
He now says he can refit the pipes (LOOK AT PICTURE ABOVE) a few inches further back QUOTE "out of the goodness of his heart" and a "Gesture of goodwill" BUT that he will now charge me an extra £40 to secure the toilet and bath panel.
He says I am a poor communicator and misunderstand everything he says and it is my fault I did not notice the pipes in the first place.
Comments welcome. I have tried to be as objective as possible, but to be honest, every time I see the guy now I get palpitations.
I said he could refit the pipes but I would solve the fixing the toilet and bath panel myself after my new floor has been installed.
Am I unreasonable feeling the pipes are unsightly and unnecessary as part of the job?
