Kichen and Bathroom DISASTER

[commando3]

This morning we found that plasterboard has been placed directly over some mould.

My house is an old victorian school.

I would of assumed that when taking the old kitchen out- the kitchen fitter would of instantly seen the black mould on the outward wall?
Im not a builder but even I know that it should be investigated and if need be I would have to pay the additional costs to fix the problem.
However, I wasnt told and the fitter has fixed plasterboard over some of it and left the rest exposed. The fitter says he has fitted hundreds of kitchens.

I hope you can see the mould and plasterboard in the photo?

 

[hazetimesfive]

can't see bugger all in that picture.

 

[commando3]

can't see bugger all in that picture.

Sorry. I'm not having much luck uploading the photo's
Basically it is a shot of under the base units.
Of what can be seen to the right is the wall covered in black mould and the plaster starting to fall off.
To the left is some plasterboard placed over the mould.

I will try to upload the picture again.

 

[hazetimesfive]

Flash please I beg of you.

 

[commando3]

Hopefilly this is more clear?

 

[hazetimesfive]

pretty bad, although that looks like internal damp, was a sink there before? I would probably have liked that to be sorted before having a kitchen installed against it.

 

[commando3]

 

[hazetimesfive]

Anyway, never mind any more pictures, get rid of the builder and move on.

 

[commando3]

pretty bad, although that looks like internal damp, was a sink there before? I would probably have liked that to be sorted before having a kitchen installed against it.

I've managed to upload a brighter photo.

This is the external wall. There was no sink on this wall before.
I agree that it should of been investigated before the kitchen was installed against it.

If it was investigated and it came back that it needed work to have fixed then I would and would still pay to get it done.

Anyway, never mind any more pictures, get rid of the builder and move on.

Yes, I have told the builder to not come back.
I have learnt my lesson.
I'm just worried that he will still demand more money.
I dont know where I stand legally. Do I have to give him the opportunity to fix everything?

 

[hazetimesfive]

He can demand all he likes, the law is in your favour, he doesn't have any of the relevant paperwork to support his end.

 

[commando3]

He can demand all he likes, the law is in your favour, he doesn't have any of the relevant paperwork to support his end.

Many thanks.

You are really helping me put my mind at ease.

 

[seasickstevie]

Looks like the twin & earth from the bottom JB goes behind the plasterboard.

If that's the case, it travels along the wall, and it isn't 'mechanically protected', or >50mm deep into the wall, then your electrician (I use the term lightly) has failed in complying with the 'safe zone' rules.

 

[commando3]

Looks like the twin & earth from the bottom JB goes behind the plasterboard.

If that's the case, it travels along the wall, and it isn't 'mechanically protected', or >50mm deep into the wall, then your electrician (I use the term lightly) has failed in complying with the 'safe zone' rules.

May I ask?
Are the cables that have been trailed along the floor into the sockets within the 'rules'?

 

[seasickstevie]

There isn't much of a problem with the cables left loose under the units. They're not likely to come to any harm, and anyone doing any alterations can clearly see where they are.

It's more to do with cables that are hidden. Someone could drill into the wall not expecting to go straight into a live cable ... or even slice through a cpc (earth wire) and not realise, therefore causing an unknown risk.

 

[chappers]

Not much to add really, the standard of work is shocking, at best.
One thing though is the money you have already given to him sufficient to cover the kitchen units and major bathroom suite parts that he has supplied, just to cover yourself. If it went to court I'm sure you would have no problem justifying not paying any labour due to the obviously substandard work and the fact that things like the tiling would have to be done.
The bloke is achancer and I'm sorry to say found a live one in you. How he could justify, for example, charging £500 to lay such a small area of floor tiles in the bathroom.