When I first thought about renovating the bathroom, I got myself a firm quote by a qualified plumber who specialises in bathroom renovations. Then a friend suggested I could get it done cheaper by employing an "after-hours" plumber and his helpers.
WRONG!
They not only cost more but they also do a far inferior job!
My "after-hours" plumber's bill will exceed the firm quote by quite a margin (always provided the rest of the work will get done within budget because it is far from finished!) and yet the lack of workmanship and lack of planning become more and more apparent.
Just now my "after-hours" plumber (middle-name "still-too-dear-at-half-the-price") finished installing the pump for the spa bath. Despite the installation manual calling for a 500x400mm access to be left for the pump, and despite the 'hop' at either end of the bathtub being big enough to accommodate several pumps, he somehow managed to brick it all in. The pump is now located outside the bathroom in the adjoining sitting-room.
Pity the bathroom isn't upstairs! My "after-hours" plumber could've run the pipes through the floor and suspend the pump from the ceiling downstairs. Now that would be something to show the neighbours!
To really make my day, he then told me he had to rip into the new plasterboard walls again because he forgot to insert timber supports for the towel-rails beside the vanity and spa, and the shelf and soap-dish above the shower! We had discussed their locations long before the plasterboard sheeting went up!
Wiser and worn down by the long delays, I look longingly at the fixed-price quote which I had rejected. It's signed off, "We are fully licensed bathroom renovators and our work is guaranteed."
However, as a good friend tells me, there is always a silver lining. I now have a whole litany of complaints and grudges which will keep me griping for years. And they will tell stories about me around campfires long after I've gone. Not only that, I'll also have no end of "I told you sos" cropping up all over NSW, so I won't feel alone and left out. I'll be the laughing stock of all the "licenced" plumbers for miles around. I'll be famous and my name will be emblazoned on all the "Don't end up like him" posters worldwide.
