Fitting a bathroom - do you check BEFORE you set the basin?
Discussion
We've had a new bathroom fitted in our new house and it's nice - However our delightful (!) plumber called me yesterday while I was on the way home and said "I've fitted your basin, but the bathroom door doesn't close - you'll need to change the door".
Nice.
I've been fed a line by him - he said that it's central (it's not) and a load of other crap that I'm not going to go in to as I'm still fuming about it. The fitter isn't bothered, he said that he was fed up and he just wanted to go home - he also admitted that the basin was the last thing he did (he arrived at 0930 - half an hour late and left at 530 after hitting me with a load of fob-off speak).
Having spoken to the company owner, the fitter admitted to him that he didn't check the door before fitting the basin. The fitter also blamed us for "getting a basin that was too big" - it is, admittedly, bigger than the old one, but not massive.
I've looked closely and by moving the basin over an inch, the door will close and the pipes will not be compromised - the fitter told me that the only thing he could do was to rip up the floors to move pipework as required. I've had a second opinion which was "he's talking b
ks" - there's enough give in the pipes to allow for moving the basin.
This will be dealt with on Tuesday as they're back to fit a wireless thermostat and now, after some discussion, to move the basin (that'll be interesting as the fitter won't be happy....).
Minor rant over - 4/10. I know...
However, the question, to any fitters or DIYers who'll do this themselves, do you place something, like a basin, that might be in a door arc and check or just slap it in and fob off the customer if it's a problem?
Nice.
I've been fed a line by him - he said that it's central (it's not) and a load of other crap that I'm not going to go in to as I'm still fuming about it. The fitter isn't bothered, he said that he was fed up and he just wanted to go home - he also admitted that the basin was the last thing he did (he arrived at 0930 - half an hour late and left at 530 after hitting me with a load of fob-off speak).
Having spoken to the company owner, the fitter admitted to him that he didn't check the door before fitting the basin. The fitter also blamed us for "getting a basin that was too big" - it is, admittedly, bigger than the old one, but not massive.
I've looked closely and by moving the basin over an inch, the door will close and the pipes will not be compromised - the fitter told me that the only thing he could do was to rip up the floors to move pipework as required. I've had a second opinion which was "he's talking b
ks" - there's enough give in the pipes to allow for moving the basin.This will be dealt with on Tuesday as they're back to fit a wireless thermostat and now, after some discussion, to move the basin (that'll be interesting as the fitter won't be happy....).
Minor rant over - 4/10. I know...
However, the question, to any fitters or DIYers who'll do this themselves, do you place something, like a basin, that might be in a door arc and check or just slap it in and fob off the customer if it's a problem?
This is the difference between doing a proper job and being proud of it, getting a good reputation, maintaining regular customers etc....
.... and doing the bare minimum to keep your job.
I've worked with both sorts of people.
In fact we are having a house built at the moment and I am occasionally running into the latter type of person, who can't understand why I expect better of them.
"Just do the job properly" is all I ask, and that involves thinking a little, stepping back and looking at the big picture, not rushing in and hoping to knock the job out as quick as you can then go home.
.... and doing the bare minimum to keep your job.
I've worked with both sorts of people.
In fact we are having a house built at the moment and I am occasionally running into the latter type of person, who can't understand why I expect better of them.
"Just do the job properly" is all I ask, and that involves thinking a little, stepping back and looking at the big picture, not rushing in and hoping to knock the job out as quick as you can then go home.
They did the bathroom in the cottage before we sold it and they fitted a new boiler and pipework on the current property - I knew them and, although they made a few mistakes in the cottage (which we let slide as we were selling) I believed they'd do a good job.
They seemed conscientious as they spent an extra day at the cottage at no extra cost increase. I had confidence, but the fact that they were late anyway, didn't apologise, the guy that did the sink admitted that he'd been up 'til 2am fixing a driveshaft and he told my partner that "he was sick and tired of the whole job and wanted to just go home".
If he'd admitted that he'd made a mistake and that he'd fix it tomorrow or whenever, I'd accept it - it's the bullst that I was spun that's annoyed me. I've had a bathroom fitted and it ran on by 3 days but wasn't annoyed as I was at least kept informed. (we'll overlook the thousands of pounds of damage caused by a poorly fitted bath trap by that guy - different house, different time, different life back then) - I don't have much luck bathroom wise!
I applaud those that make that effort and go the extra mile - my carpet fitter saved me a fair whack by inspecting my underlay and not replacing it when it didn't need it (I looked too and agreed) - [Ashby carpets in Shorpe]
Once this is all sorted, I won't be using them again.
They seemed conscientious as they spent an extra day at the cottage at no extra cost increase. I had confidence, but the fact that they were late anyway, didn't apologise, the guy that did the sink admitted that he'd been up 'til 2am fixing a driveshaft and he told my partner that "he was sick and tired of the whole job and wanted to just go home".
If he'd admitted that he'd made a mistake and that he'd fix it tomorrow or whenever, I'd accept it - it's the bulls
t that I was spun that's annoyed me. I've had a bathroom fitted and it ran on by 3 days but wasn't annoyed as I was at least kept informed. (we'll overlook the thousands of pounds of damage caused by a poorly fitted bath trap by that guy - different house, different time, different life back then) - I don't have much luck bathroom wise!I applaud those that make that effort and go the extra mile - my carpet fitter saved me a fair whack by inspecting my underlay and not replacing it when it didn't need it (I looked too and agreed) - [Ashby carpets in S
horpe]Once this is all sorted, I won't be using them again.
james_tigerwoods said:
They did the bathroom in the cottage before we sold it and they fitted a new boiler and pipework on the current property - I knew them and, although they made a few mistakes in the cottage (which we let slide as we were selling) I believed they'd do a good job.
They seemed conscientious as they spent an extra day at the cottage at no extra cost increase. I had confidence, but the fact that they were late anyway, didn't apologise, the guy that did the sink admitted that he'd been up 'til 2am fixing a driveshaft and he told my partner that "he was sick and tired of the whole job and wanted to just go home".
If he'd admitted that he'd made a mistake and that he'd fix it tomorrow or whenever, I'd accept it - it's the bullst that I was spun that's annoyed me. I've had a bathroom fitted and it ran on by 3 days but wasn't annoyed as I was at least kept informed. (we'll overlook the thousands of pounds of damage caused by a poorly fitted bath trap by that guy - different house, different time, different life back then) - I don't have much luck bathroom wise!
I applaud those that make that effort and go the extra mile - my carpet fitter saved me a fair whack by inspecting my underlay and not replacing it when it didn't need it (I looked too and agreed) - [Ashby carpets in Shorpe]
Once this is all sorted, I won't be using them again.
Cowboy They seemed conscientious as they spent an extra day at the cottage at no extra cost increase. I had confidence, but the fact that they were late anyway, didn't apologise, the guy that did the sink admitted that he'd been up 'til 2am fixing a driveshaft and he told my partner that "he was sick and tired of the whole job and wanted to just go home".
If he'd admitted that he'd made a mistake and that he'd fix it tomorrow or whenever, I'd accept it - it's the bulls
t that I was spun that's annoyed me. I've had a bathroom fitted and it ran on by 3 days but wasn't annoyed as I was at least kept informed. (we'll overlook the thousands of pounds of damage caused by a poorly fitted bath trap by that guy - different house, different time, different life back then) - I don't have much luck bathroom wise!I applaud those that make that effort and go the extra mile - my carpet fitter saved me a fair whack by inspecting my underlay and not replacing it when it didn't need it (I looked too and agreed) - [Ashby carpets in S
horpe]Once this is all sorted, I won't be using them again.
I do the occasional bathrooom (Dad used to do mainly bathrooms and some decorating, now i've taken over it's the other way around) Anyway, we always took pride in every job and if that meant going over a couple of days and maybe doing some weekend work, so be it. The customers were always kept up to speed and never had a problem on the rare occasions when this happened. The alternative of bodging, doing a half arsed job? No thanks.
I'd rather be out of pocket then leave a job and not feeling 100% happy with my work.
If the door will only close with the sink moved wont it all look a bit st anyway?
We had the same issue with a WC that was behind the door that the door opened towards, although it didn't matter really it made the bathroom look terrible.
The WC is in the same place now and the door opens the other way, it looks like a proper bathroom that was designed by humans! All from hanging from the other side of the door frame!
Is there any scope for changing the way the door hangs so as not to open so near the basin? You might find that it looks a heck of a lot better that way!
t anyway?We had the same issue with a WC that was behind the door that the door opened towards, although it didn't matter really it made the bathroom look terrible.
The WC is in the same place now and the door opens the other way, it looks like a proper bathroom that was designed by humans! All from hanging from the other side of the door frame!
Is there any scope for changing the way the door hangs so as not to open so near the basin? You might find that it looks a heck of a lot better that way!
The more I look at it, the more I think he's talking st - the pipes are over to the left of the pedestal anyway and NOT central.
If it's moved over that 2 inches, the tap will line up with tiles, the sink will be more central to the pipes and waste pipe and won't look that out of place.
He knew he was coming back on tomorrow anyway, so I would have accepted being told that he'd reset it then. It's the fobbing off that bugs me.
I spoke to the owner/manager yesterday and he told me that the fitter will move the sink tomorrow - he was very apologetic (as you'd expect) and I was pissed off that he didn't call me as he promised - he "forgot" that was due to call me back (!)
As I said, I do accept that it's a bigger sink, but to have not been consulted beforehand and for the fitter to have been dismissive with me is ignorant and unacceptable.
t - the pipes are over to the left of the pedestal anyway and NOT central.If it's moved over that 2 inches, the tap will line up with tiles, the sink will be more central to the pipes and waste pipe and won't look that out of place.
He knew he was coming back on tomorrow anyway, so I would have accepted being told that he'd reset it then. It's the fobbing off that bugs me.
I spoke to the owner/manager yesterday and he told me that the fitter will move the sink tomorrow - he was very apologetic (as you'd expect) and I was pissed off that he didn't call me as he promised - he "forgot" that was due to call me back (!)
As I said, I do accept that it's a bigger sink, but to have not been consulted beforehand and for the fitter to have been dismissive with me is ignorant and unacceptable.
James, can you post a picture of the scene and I'll give you a honest appraisal of the situation.
I was a Clerk of Works for a large London Estate for 8 years and have worked in the building industry since leaving school - 30 odd years, so am well versed in snagging so called completed works.
Or if you want to PM me.
Cedric.
I was a Clerk of Works for a large London Estate for 8 years and have worked in the building industry since leaving school - 30 odd years, so am well versed in snagging so called completed works.
Or if you want to PM me.
Cedric.
Sadly there are bad tradesmen out there, you paid for a job and shoukd get a proper job. Stuff the fitter if he doesnt like it he should have done it right.
Just had a similar experience with a decorator, put the wrong paint on one ceiling, the helped himself to a 5ltr tin of farrow and ball paint. Then grumbled when i complained. His loss, as he wont get any of the other work i had planned.
Just had a similar experience with a decorator, put the wrong paint on one ceiling, the helped himself to a 5ltr tin of farrow and ball paint. Then grumbled when i complained. His loss, as he wont get any of the other work i had planned.
My plumber promised me that someone would turn up yesterday and I was pleased to see that he did and moved my sink, installed the thermostat, pigs flew and the new iPhone is awesome.
He got an angry phone call as he promised someone would be with me - his fitter chose to not turn up as he didn't get the thermostat - he opted to not bother to call either as, I dunno, he's an idle bd. The plumber was apologetic and I just got angrier and angrier (no swearing but made it clear that I was pissed off that I don't have a bathroom that's fit for purpose). That and I copped an earful from my OH (!)
Anyway, he will be turning up today at 12 - he'd better otherwise I'll be finding another plumber to move the sink and subtract what that'll cost me from what I'm paying him.
I'm narked that I won't be there as I'm in Birmingham today but my partner will be - as will her dad who, as an ex pro footballer, won't take any st. I've left a note detailing what I want doing with no fking about.
I know this isn't the biggest deal in the world, but my partner is 8 months pregnant, having a really stty time and this is the last thing she (we) need after moving in to this new house.
Photos:
The door - not closing:
The overhead view
The left side of the pedestal
The right side of the pedestal
He got an angry phone call as he promised someone would be with me - his fitter chose to not turn up as he didn't get the thermostat - he opted to not bother to call either as, I dunno, he's an idle b
d. The plumber was apologetic and I just got angrier and angrier (no swearing but made it clear that I was pissed off that I don't have a bathroom that's fit for purpose). That and I copped an earful from my OH (!)Anyway, he will be turning up today at 12 - he'd better otherwise I'll be finding another plumber to move the sink and subtract what that'll cost me from what I'm paying him.
I'm narked that I won't be there as I'm in Birmingham today but my partner will be - as will her dad who, as an ex pro footballer, won't take any s
t. I've left a note detailing what I want doing with no fking about.I know this isn't the biggest deal in the world, but my partner is 8 months pregnant, having a really s
tty time and this is the last thing she (we) need after moving in to this new house.Photos:
The door - not closing:
The overhead view
The left side of the pedestal
The right side of the pedestal
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