How Long Should I Give Kitchen Fitter To Put An Issue Right ?

[CW1]

Hi,

Had a new kitchen fitted in May / June this year & I heard recently the tenant hasn't been able to use the cupboard under the sink since moving in 'cos there's a leak. I've had 2 plumbers visit & now know the waste needs to be replaced as 3 nuts were cross threaded & they're "weeping". Am I right in thinking the fitter should fix it, as in shoddy workmanship ?

Things didn't end well with the kitchen fitter, tried to bill me for things I'd already paid for (I *never* had *any* receipts despite several requests), sent me invoices for late payment despite me offering to pay some before he'd finished (which he refused, said it'd mess his taxes up, wanted it all in one payment), rest once he'd finished as he was extremely unreliable. He finally finished the day the tenant moved in ! I had to block his e-mails as he was constantly sending me invoices.

I've sent him a text tonight, explaining what the problem is, asking what his intentions would be. I don't think he'll reply & I'll need to recoup the cost of sending a plumber to fix it (he's sending me a quote soon). Once I have a quote, I'll text the fitter again & let him know, I also want to give him a deadline as obviously the tenant wants it fixed !

How long should I say ? I was thinking 48 hours.

[TonyV]

Think that is reasonable before you employ someone yourself maybe 24 hours is nearer the mark if your tenant is having problems.

[bednobs]

id be inclined to swallow the cost

[bednobs]

48 hr is unreasonable - he might be on holiday. also if the tenants put up with it since may, without even teling you it cant be that urgent for them

[TonyV]

Bednobs if he is away, he needs to sub the work to somebody he knows.

[bednobs]

if i was on holiday i wouldnt take my work phone. even if i did i wouldnt answer it

[CW1]

Bednobs, I'm certainly not swallowing the cost :( He was a nightmare towards the end of the work. Unlikely he'll be on holiday, more likely he'll ignore me as he reckons I owe him money (I do NOT ! In fact I probably overpaid as I've had no receipts, & didn't get the discount he promised me when he bought lights) or say his phone's playing up. He's used that one with me before.

Think I'll text him again tomorrow & say end of day Thursday.

[bednobs]

if he's so unreliable, and you have such a bad relationship, why open it up again?

[TonyV]

Bednobs all the self employed tradesmen I know take take their mobile with internet access on holiday with them.

[TonyV]

CW1 do you have a slow mail address for him, if so send him notice of taking him to county court.

[CW1]

Be-cause, bednobs, I don't see why I should be paying out more due to his shoddy workmanship, why should he get off scot free ? I actually hope he doesn't reply, & I'll just start a money claim.

[Ryzen]

Get another plumber in to rectify and swallow the cost..or do it yourself.If its been leaking for 3 months you may need to factor in a new cabinet.

[CW1]

TonyV, I do have an e-mail address, I blocked it as he was using it to send me the same invoice, over & over. Good idea tho'.

Ryzen, I am NOT paying for his incompetence, I will include the unit if it's damaged. Also maybe the tenant's stuff that was under the sink before realised there was the leak & was affected. And the money I've already spent on couple of plumbers looking at it.

[CW1]

TonyV, just re read your comment … yeah, I do have a slow mail address (on his invoices !) … maybe not practical really tho' as tenant needs it sorting.

[Ryzen]

The plumber could say it was ok when he left it ..3 months is a long time to wait before lodging a complaint.It sounds like the trust/respect has gone between you and the plumber.Move on...stress aint good..good luck.

[Zacs-Master]

You should write to him giving him 14 days to rectify the problem, stating that after this period you will employ someone else to finish the work and deduct it from his final account. This is presuming you haven’t already paid him in full.

[sherrardk]

I reckon you might have a problem is you didn’t give him a chance to rectify the problem before getting someone else in.

[CW1]

Ryven, it obviously wasn't ok when he left, what tradesman cross threads pipes ? Even I wouldn't do that ! Yeah, it is winding me up … not good, agreed ...

Zacs-Master, I think asking the tenant to wait another 14 days is a bit unreasonable. I did pay him in full, months ago, after deducting the cost of a new lock when [he said] he lost the key !

[Ryzen]

Why have 2 plumbers looked at it and still not fixed it??
We're talking a £5 fitting and half hours labour..meanwhile the cupboards getting wetter and wetter...am I missing something.

[Zacs-Master]

If you’ve paid him in full you ain’t got a contractual leg to stand on. Never ever pay a contractor in full for at least 2 weeks after completion.

[albaqwerty]

Ryzen, I think we're missing quite a bit.

It's your tenant who has the problem, it's your duty to get it fixed quickly.

Pfaff around with previous plumber at your leisure and not to the detriment of your tenant (who may have fiddled with the screws themselves)