I hired a plumber to install my bathtub and the plumbing for a 3-way kit (shower, wand, tub), and also to do some tiling work. However, after finishing the tub and plumbing, he decided he was too busy to handle the tiling and passed it off to his cousin. While the cousin did a great job with the tile, I later discovered that the plumber didn't install the correct NPT fittings for my shower fixtures; he just roughed in the pipe and the tilers worked around it. The instructions require 1/2" NPT fittings to be behind the tile, and now it's too late.
Additionally, the plumber failed to install the support needed for the tub apron and attempted to shift the blame onto the tub itself, claiming it was a low-quality product. He keeps saying he will come back to fix the tub, but he never shows up. What options do I have to ensure he rectifies his mistakes? Do I have any leverage to make him follow through on his promises?
3 Answers
Your best move is to refer back to your original agreement and any written communication you have. If he still refuses to help, you might have to consider small claims court. Collect quotes from other contractors to fix the work, along with your initial agreement, and show your efforts to resolve it with him. Sometimes, just the mention of legal action can prompt a contractor to take action. And definitely make everything documentable moving forward.
You might want to look into filing a complaint with your state’s plumbing board or licensing agency. If he’s licensed, they take these kinds of complaints seriously and it could pressure him into resolving the issues. Just keep it as a last resort, since it's better to get the problem fixed without going that route if you can.
It's crucial to check what your contract states. Why didn't you clarify the fittings before the work started? If he’s already been paid in full, he might not feel obligated to come back. A good idea might be to document everything, including any messages you exchanged discussing the job. This could give you a stronger case if you need to push harder.
I didn't think to ask specifically since he assured me he could handle both the plumbing and tiling. It’s frustrating that he passed it off without me noticing the missing steps until too late. I really just want him to correct his mistakes.
Yeah, that makes sense. I just want this guy to fix the mistakes without escalating things. Hopefully, he’ll step up without that needing to come into play.