Dispute With Builders - Radiator Sizing
Discussion
Last year we had a two storey extension built at not inconsiderable cost.
During the winter the utility (3m x 3m suspended concrete floor) room that was built is very cold (too cold to use), in my opinion this is due to rad sizing, the one fitted is approx 1500btu, every online calculator I have used to check the sizing states around 3000btu. The builder company owner was invited out to see how cold the room was but he declined to visit.
I've witheld £250 as a result of this as I can see the rad will need replacing, every few weeks I'll get an e-mail saying the he's still waiting payment & the rad is the correct size.
I have stated on numerous occasions that I will gladly pay if he can supply calc's to backup his claims that the rad is the correct size, he never replies, until a few weeks later I get another e-mail chasing payment.
The latest e-mail is saying unless payment is received in 7 days the a debt collector will be sent round.
What are my options from here? I have once again replied stating he declined to visit site to check room temp, that if he can supply calc's to backup his claims that the rad is correct I'll gladly pay.
During the winter the utility (3m x 3m suspended concrete floor) room that was built is very cold (too cold to use), in my opinion this is due to rad sizing, the one fitted is approx 1500btu, every online calculator I have used to check the sizing states around 3000btu. The builder company owner was invited out to see how cold the room was but he declined to visit.
I've witheld £250 as a result of this as I can see the rad will need replacing, every few weeks I'll get an e-mail saying the he's still waiting payment & the rad is the correct size.
I have stated on numerous occasions that I will gladly pay if he can supply calc's to backup his claims that the rad is the correct size, he never replies, until a few weeks later I get another e-mail chasing payment.
The latest e-mail is saying unless payment is received in 7 days the a debt collector will be sent round.
What are my options from here? I have once again replied stating he declined to visit site to check room temp, that if he can supply calc's to backup his claims that the rad is correct I'll gladly pay.
Snowboy said:
If you didn't want it you should have made him change it at the time not wait for months.
We're looking at building work from 7 months ago.
I have been complaining from day one of the utility being in use, he has refused to replace. In fact, my firts e-nail was 8th August last year stating that I feel the radiator is undersized.We're looking at building work from 7 months ago.
The room is 3m x 3m x 2.25m, three external walls, approx 4m of double glazed units, suspended concrete floor.
RichardD said:
When was (in the builders world) the money (that has been withheld) initially due?
About Jan this year, I said to him in August last year I thought the rad was too small & he said he'd sort it id it was. Since then, despite me providing him with calc's showing a requirement of approx 3000BTU in Jan, he has refused to act.I have spelt it out in very simple terms to him that I will pay when one of two things happen.
1. He installs the correct size radiator.
2. He provides me with calc's showing the current rad to be correct.
He is unable/unwilling to do either.
It's moved on somewhat.
After threatening to send the debt collectors round I pointed out the debt is still in dispute so they will simply be sent away.
He then moved on to change his angle of attack, stating "OK, we'll go through small claims court in that case" to which I told him to fill his boots & wished him good luck & pointed out I had provided evidence to support my claims rad is undersized, all he could do was say "I have calc's to prove it's the correct size", but was unable to supply them as they were on the radiator manufacturers computer & you need "special software" to read them.
At that point I called the Carl Pilkington "Bulls
t" .jpeg out from the hard drive & said " see you in court then.
A matter of seconds later an e-mail arrived saying "We are willing to take the moral high ground on this & will replace the radiator with one to your specification, provided payment is made same day".
So all in the desired result, thanks all for your input. If anybody is looking for building work in the Bristol area, PM me & I'll tell you one company to avoid!!!
After threatening to send the debt collectors round I pointed out the debt is still in dispute so they will simply be sent away.
He then moved on to change his angle of attack, stating "OK, we'll go through small claims court in that case" to which I told him to fill his boots & wished him good luck & pointed out I had provided evidence to support my claims rad is undersized, all he could do was say "I have calc's to prove it's the correct size", but was unable to supply them as they were on the radiator manufacturers computer & you need "special software" to read them.
At that point I called the Carl Pilkington "Bulls
t" .jpeg out from the hard drive & said " see you in court then.A matter of seconds later an e-mail arrived saying "We are willing to take the moral high ground on this & will replace the radiator with one to your specification, provided payment is made same day".
So all in the desired result, thanks all for your input. If anybody is looking for building work in the Bristol area, PM me & I'll tell you one company to avoid!!!
Edited by IN51GHT on Wednesday 23 July 07:43
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