Bathroom Fitting

Bathroom refit with awkward finish ... well almost finished

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 2.42 PM

Hi, We commissioned a builder to redo our bathroom entirely -- new tiles, shower, bath, everything. We got a quote for the job which came in at just under 5k. We supplied the tiles and bathroom fittings in addition to this, so the quote was labour to refit, cart away all rubbish and make everything good. We assumed this was a "fixed price no matter what" arrangement. There were a few "snags" along the way when they tried to figure out how the new plumbing should go for the new design. They explained their frustrations each day, and due to a lack of progress clear to see, this resulted in several extra unplanned days on the job for them. Apparently this also cost material as they wasted plumbing supplies on failed attempts at the fit - or so they told me. Anyway, towards the end of the job a final call for funds was issued with an additional 2,500 for "extra work". It felt outrageous at the time, so we confronted him about it and got it reduced to 1,250. We have yet to hand over this extra because he has since moved on to other jobs and has still left some of his buckets and rubbish behind. I have also now realized that the underfloor heating that we had him install actually doesn't do anything. None of the tiles heat up at all. I have asked him a week ago now to come back and clean up the remaining things and take a look at the heating but haven't heard anything. I really want to tell him to either come back within the week, or forfeit the remaining money and I'll do what I can from here. Would I be within my rights to do this? Would it be unfair to him? UPDATE: Extra details 1. We were firstly quoted almost 10K for the fit by someone who had done previous work here, so thought we were getting a good deal at 5K! 2. Natural marble tiles, so assume that costs more to install 3. It is a flat, top (4th floor) of a building 4. He travels 2 hours each way to get onsite, so probably factored fuel into the quote 5. He was onsite for about 17 days. Quote said he expected to take about 8. 6. Bathroom is 2x8x3 7. Previous configuration was standin bath/shower. New is whirlpool bath and separate shower 8. Black and white grout used. He kept making the point about how messy and difficult the black was to work with 9. He did take down the false wall in the bathroom to expose plumbing, put up new backing board to tile over 10. Moved the washing machine from kitchen to utility cupboard, a of new plumbing too 11. When pulling up the floor he was surprised at how little room there was to work with for piping. I believe this is where he lost time and had to experiment with plumbers. 12. Unfortunately we had two incidents of flooding to downstairs 1) water spilled when moving washing machine 2) Shower not hooked up properly initially. Bit annoyed that he didn't take ownership of these. Fortunately no extra cost to us Does any of this change anyone's opinion? As I said, the last thing I want to be is unfair.