Laminate butt worktop trim

[thescruff]

That's a plus. trouble is Cowboys and getting ripped off go hand in hand.

Best thing you can do is stay out of the kitchen and keep taking pics.

[thescruff]

It's an electric hob, not gas. What should we be doing about the Part P Certificate - make sure they have one?

Don't pay until you do get one.

To be sure it will be in the post but never get delivered.

[Blue Mermaid]

Thanks thescruff.

So frustrating that I'm not in control, cos I really want to get things sorted but my hands are tied.

[diyguys]

Is your dad an oap,how much work have they done exactly for that money? how long have they been doing your kitchen?

[marc1106]

Thanks thescruff.

So frustrating that I'm not in control, cos I really want to get things sorted but my hands are tied.

i think in this instance you should put your dads short term feelings on hold, he'll thank you in the long run!

[darrenba]

Whereabouts roughly are you? There maybe someone on here close by who could take a look and advise.

[thescruff]

Whereabouts roughly are you? There maybe someone on here close by who could take a look and advise.

Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

Do try and keep up Darren

[Blue Mermaid]

My dad is 75. I'd have to look at all the invoices to know what each one includes. They've been working for a good couple of months now but the first part of the work was ripping the whole kitchen out, drying it out, filling and sealing up the inside drain and making an outside drain in the garden. They also moved and plumbed in the washing machine in a different part of the kitchen. As I said, I don't know if the £16,000 is including all of that (my dad paid for that after they'd finished it) or whether it's just for the fitting etc.

It's not my dad's feelings that I'm worried about. He's not the sort of man you can go against easily. We've had enough arguments over this already and I don't want another.

We're in Hertfordshire Darren and it would be great in my opinion if one of you could come over and advise but again, my dad wouldn't agree to it (especially if he knew I'd found you on the net). The builders seem quite keen for advice though, so there might be a way round my dad if he thought it was someone they'd called in to advise them. Mind you, I don't know if you mean someone could come over to advise us while the builders weren't here or whether you mean to advise them.

[diyguys]

So they are nearly finished ,what is left for them to do?

[prem]

the pic with the phone cables behind the worktop looks like a issue we come across often with extentions new or old. the wall is not directly in line with the house wall, you cant scribe the top as this will show on the doors.
either cut a piece of board that will be the hight and width of the tiling, fix it to the wall and tile it like a box.
or if you ever get a good fitter, ( heres hoping) a worktop filler can be cut and glued to close the gap, this wont be a great joint but can be disguised enough not to be as noticeable. the same with the base end panel, cut and join another piece at the back.
what electrics have they done? if they have changed like for like and not moved any cables then a cert is not needed. if they have moved any then there must be a cert. when you get it check it out there are a lot of builders giving out certs they have bought them selves. with no accreditation to the name.

[Blue Mermaid]

They're getting a new length of worktop diyguys, so that they can fit the laminate edge to it, as I don't like the metal trim they put on and it's glued on. Apart from the hold up with all the problems, there's just a few bits and pieces left to do. Then obviously the tiling and flooring, which they're not doing.

Thanks very much Prem. It's good to hear that the guy from the Yellow Pages was legit in what he was saying about putting some board up to hide the gap. You start doubting and not trusting anyone after a while. The gap is there because he suggested pulling the cupboards forward away from the wall, because of the walls not lining up. Builders didn't seem happy about this solution on Friday, so I started doubting the guy from the Yellow Pages as well then.

The hob was electric before, so they changed like for like (except the new hob is induction - don't know if that makes a difference with the electrics. They'll be fitting new switches and sockets but again they'll be in the same places as before. They did lower the ceiling and fitted spot lights. We had fluorescent lights before. Don't know if the fitting of the spot lights would need a certificate?

[Colour Republic]

Not sure why this slipped my mind but you should be able to get a breakfast bar version of the worktop which will be 900mm deep even a 650mm deep version, then scribe it to the wall, this will cover the gap you have.

I'm still not convinced of the boxing out idea to then tile. This is fine for an area which is closed off. (Your builders have done this already above the washer/dryer) but for an area which is open it will look naf IMO

[Blue Mermaid]

Thanks very much Colour Republic.

I'll print out your advice and show the builders. Thing is, they've already ordered the new length of worktop from Wickes. Maybe they'll be able to return it and order the breakfast bar version instead.

[Colour Republic]

Thanks very much Colour Republic.

I'll print out your advice and show the builders. Thing is, they've already ordered the new length of worktop from Wickes. Maybe they'll be able to return it and order the breakfast bar version instead.

I forgot where abouts you in the country? I may be able to point you to a cheaper supplier

[Colour Republic]

Whoops Hertfordshire

Try Benchmarx in Watford. Benchmarx is owned by Travis Perkins as is Wickes, the kitchens sold by Benchmarxs are the same as Wickes. They are also cheaper and worktops come in longer lengths. They are trade only (sometimes!) but your builders should be able to get the worktops and from stock there and then