Bathroom Disaster Please Help

[Jerry]

I will never know the whole story but my guess the following will occur-

The OP will blame the Installer. The Installer will blame the OP.

The OP will be angry towards the Installer and not have him back to rectify the works. The OP will find another Installer who will agree with the OP. The OP will pay money to habe the problem fixed. The OP will feel justified in his anger and we will have another story about bad tradesmen ripping off people.

Because none of us have ever been in this situation. Either as the first Installer or the seccond Installer who comes along to correct the 'mistakes'.

Or am I just a cynic?

Ps this is not directed to the OP and it is not my intention to upset anyone.

 

[Welder]

Radiator pipes are already in the wall, just chase them in higher. and what reason could there be for not putting the shower at the entrance other than the plumber couldn't be bothered?

Personally I'd not condemn anyone without further understanding of the exact circumstances.
Seeing as we are not communicating with both parties, I feel it prudent to not be overly critical of someone unable to defend themselves.

 

[MJH]

Communication is key yes, but it sounds more the fitter didn't listen and couldn't be bothered to do as the customer asked. There is no reason why the shower control couldn't go at the opening end of the shower, and no reason why the towel warmer could be fitted higher. Looks more like a half arsed fitter to me. Did you have any form of designs with the installer? Was a price agreed in writing or just through talking? Have you paid him yet?

Hi - thank you for your response and yes I had a very detailed scope for the project. There are many aspects not met - such as chrome extractor fans where they have fitted a cheap white one ! That I can let go and change at my own expense but the shower layout is ridiculous. I appreciate communication is key but when you are told that they will do the best alternative - you do feel there should be an element of trust - more fool me I guess 🙁

 

[Jerry]

Hi - thank you for your response and yes I had a very detailed scope for the project. There are many aspects not met - such as chrome extractor fans where they have fitted a cheap white one ! That I can let go and change at my own expense but the shower layout is ridiculous. I appreciate communication is key but when you are told that they will do the best alternative - you do feel there should be an element of trust - more fool me I guess 🙁

If you have detailed plans and work was not completed to those plans, then you have the Installer at fault.

 

[SimonG]

Just another customer looking for ammo to bash somebody over the head with.

Which is why I always have a discussion around control location.

Two sides to every story.

 

[MJH]

My colleagues are quite correct this an utter failure to communicate.

Unf IMHO it is you who are culpable. Having been an expert witness a number of times, the judge would ask if you'd agreed details.
To have agreed without understanding the detail means you've abdicated responsibility.
However, laying it out like that (in a non std way) without reference to you seems to suggest you either gave them carte blanch, they were too frightened to ask or just daft.
The 'job' looks very competent, so this just does NOT feel right.

Hello - thank you for your reply. I had made a very thorough scope of the project, both verbally and in writing with agreement. My husband was here for any discussion and was not approached in my absence. If there were to be any major deviation from the project scope then he should have been approached. Do not quote Unf IMHO at me because I fully understand the realms under which it operates having a law background.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

How much did you pay for said install?

Also roughly in the country where are you

 

[MJH]

Just another customer looking for ammo to bash somebody over the head with.

Which is why I always have a discussion around control location.

Two sides to every story.

Thank you for your response and no it is not somebody wishing to bash a tradesperson - it is actually somebody that is frustrated with an outcome and asking for advice.

 

[MJH]

Or the customer agreed and now realises it was a stupid decision. I don’t believe for one minute that a plumber would put it there, because he couldn’t be bothered

No - let me assure you they fitted without consultation - having already agreed to fit on top half of wall - I am guessing from your response that you may do same.

 

[SimonG]

Swap door round.

 

[Aire]

Thank you for your reply - and yes very frustrating - we were told that the wall end for shower controls was too thin - having already scoped and agreed they could go there?!? Also it was scoped that the radiator could be hung high up on wall - this was scoped for and then we were told that there were too many wires behind that wall?!? Does not give tradesman a good name.

The wall may very well be too thin, and although you was told the shower could go there, your plumber may not have checked before agreeing this with you, this would be an error on their part. What are your walls constructed of?
I can't comment on the wires, There shouldn't be any there but there's always the option of moving them but again, that comes down to communication and price.

As @YorkshireDave has said, I shouldn't be bashing another plumbers work without knowing the full story.

So I will say that from my own experience with bathroom installations (and I install around 40-50 a year). I can say that very rarely does an installation go to plan, I am constantly torn between what a customer in their eyes has been sold and what our bathroom designer has sold them.

However I can also tell you that 99% of the time there is a way round problems. Whether it be, in your case for example, boxing the wall off to allow the installation of the shower valve where you specified it and installing a smaller shower tray and screen, or changing the shower for a more practical one like a digital Mira or aqualisa. Again this comes down to communication.

I would in my opinion lay the blame more with the installer in this case as common sense would clearly show that the shower is impractical in that position. But did your husband not raise any concerns after the valve was fitted but before tiles went on the wall?

 

[Sharp Point]

No - let me assure you they fitted without consultation - having already agreed to fit on top half of wall - I am guessing from your response that you may do same.

So from the moment the shower valve was installed and until it was tiled, you or your partner didn’t see that valve. It’s extremely funny, because EVERY bathroom I’ve done for anyone over two decades, the customer/s come and have a sit rep when they’re home from work or before they go to work.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

So from the moment the shower valve was installed and until it was tiled, you or your partner didn’t see that valve. It’s extremely funny, because EVERY bathroom I’ve done for anyone over two decades, the customer/s come and have a sit rep when they’re home from work or before they go to work.

Eg a nosey 😀

 

[Sharp Point]

Eg a nosey 😀

Right on the nosey🙂

 

[Riley]

It’s communication and naivety. Nobody discussed it and op allowed install to finish before they’ve said anything

 

[Welder]

I had a very detailed scope for the project.

My BS monitor is twitching... This simply does not ring true. Supposedly law trained, gives a detailed scope then abandons both, never ever looks in on it. 😵😵😵

I'm out. 🙄

 

[Riley]

You are essentially looking for ammunition. If somebody was there while works we’re carried out I plain do not believe that no one looked at the progress. If you have a scope no sensible tradesman will deviate from it as there could be serious ramifications

 

[Aire]

You are essentially looking for ammunition. If somebody was there while works we’re carried out I plain do not believe that no one looked at the progress. If you have a scope no sensible tradesman will deviate from it as there could be serious ramifications

True but I as well as you and probably most plumbers on here will have, at some point seen the level of stupidity that so called tradesmen are capable of. But at the same time I do agree and find it difficult to believe that her husband did not look at the install before tiling. There is no way that looking at his he thought it would be fine. Either that or he did but is playing stupid so his wife doesn't blame him.

 

[Riley]

True but I as well as you and probably most plumbers on here will have, at some point seen the level of stupidity that so called tradesmen are capable of. But at the same time I do agree and find it difficult to believe that her husband did not look at the install before tiling. There is no way that looking at his he thought it would be fine. Either that or he did but is playing stupid so his wife doesn't blame him.

I think that’s more likely

 

[Scott_D]

It’s a shame as it looks like a nice bathroom