Need advice on 'extras' we're being charged for fitting a bathroom

[Curiosity101]

It's been a few days and for the most part it's been a bit easier.

We got them to change the radiator over the second time we asked, this time without talk of needing to rip the floor up, so we're all good there assuming they don't try to charge us extra for fitting the correct item. I guess we'll deal with that at the end though cause there was no suggestion of paying extra when they agreed to swap it.

I did have one question though, as he was fitting it he said something along the lines of 'Oh these are wet cut tiles, you have to use a special diamond tipped drill bit for these so fitting a radiator onto these would be extra but I'll check what tiles we had down for'. He also kept dipping the drill bit into what I assumed was a lubricant / oil / coolant. I appreciate that he doesn't want to crack the tiles which is great, but it seems a bit much to suggest it'll cost more to drill those holes 'because we didn't have you down for these types of tile'

These are the tiles that we supplied - http://www.tilegiant.co.uk/venue-300x600.html

I thought with them being 9mm porcelain that they'd not need any special treatment to drill through them or anything like that. Any advice appreciated though.

 

[DaveHerns]

I'd kick him off the job now. It's only going to get worse.

 

[muggles]

More excuses, more extras. Sounds like he's still trying to take you for a ride. Did he drill the tiles for the incorrect towel rail, and if he did is he going to be replacing the ones that now have holes where they aren't needed or is he just going to bodge some grout into them?

 

[Curiosity101]

I'd kick him off the job now. It's only going to get worse.

The only things left from their perspective are fitting the Shower, Basin and Toilet. So it feels like that particular horse has well and truly bolted. They expect to be complete by the end of Thursday, Friday lunch time at the latest.

The tilers are independent contractors and will be done today - they've not caused any problems at all.
There is also a window that wants bricking up but that's an independent contractor and he's not caused us any issue either.

 

[Curiosity101]

More excuses, more extras. Sounds like he's still trying to take you for a ride. Did he drill the tiles for the incorrect towel rail, and if he did is he going to be replacing the ones that now have holes where they aren't needed or is he just going to bodge some grout into them?

He'd previously just measured up and drilled into the wall for the towel radiator so that they were all measured up ready for tiling. That's why we were so firm and sorted the radiator out before the tiles were in place. We really didn't fancy filling any holes in the tiles.

So no, no extra holes in the tiles. Just the ones required for mounting the correct radiator.

 

[lemon_1]

Make sure you get the keys off him before you hand over any cash

 

[Hot&Cold]

So far the extras are:
£350 - Dot and dab the walls ready for tiling cause the walls aren't completely even, although they were previously tiled

For your choice of tiles #46 the wall's needs to be very flat,So not really an extra

 

[Curiosity101]

Just to give an update on this, the work was completed a couple of weeks ago now. We disputed the extras and after several emails back and forth (and them threatening with small claims), they have now backed down and accepted that our final payment was our final payment.

Definitely not the most pleasant experience but I really appreciated everyone's advice. It gave me and my OH the confidence to hold our ground, without the advice we'd definitely have just paid the amount, particularly when they started saying things about small claims.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Make sure you get the keys off him before you hand over any cash

If you gave him the keys then change the locks ASAP!

Andy

 

[Dan Robinson]

Thanks for letting us know - it makes the effort worthwhile for us!

Glad too that you were not taken for unnecessary expense.

For what its worth - I am pricing a house at the moment with 5 bathrooms, 3 floors of UFH, boiler and cylinder and ASHP.

Trying to think of all the contingencies is a nightmare as I will be of a pretty fixed price contract. Not easy when you're working solely from drawings.

 

[Curiosity101]

If you gave him the keys then change the locks ASAP!

Andy

We changed the locks as soon as they said that we still owed them money. It seemed the safest bet and we'd be planning to change them since we moved into the house anyway.

 

[blup]

Glad it's worked out to a reasonably satisfactory solution

Blup

 

[FiremanT]

Glad to hear the outcome.