We’ve had to wash in a bucket outside for 6 MONTHS after builder walked out while building £11k Wickes bathroom
A FAMILY claim they’ve had to wash in a bucket outside for 6 MONTHS after a builder walked out while fitting their new £11,000 bathroom.
Chris and Kat Martin, from Swindon, Wiltshire, ordered their bathroom from Wickes at the beginning of June last year.
But they allege it was installed poorly by the retail company, before a fitter from Wickes walked out when it was only half complete.
It has meant the family, including son Ethan, have had to go to the local swimming pool to shower – and even wash with a bucket in their garden.
The family are also using the kitchen sink to clean their teeth.
They were left “angered and depressed” and said despite this occurring in the summer of 2023, the problem remains unfixed and it is taking its toll on the household.
Chris, 42, said: “We were having to go and shower at the swimming pool, at friends’ houses and even sometimes literally just in the garden with a bucket of water.
“We had nowhere else to go and Wickes are well aware of this but they never seemed to really care. It is very stressful and depressing.
“It affects our relationship at home with each other, making us sad and angry.
“My son thought he would get picked on for having to wash in the garden if people found out.
“We brush our teeth in the kitchen and we have a toilet downstairs but it’s a headache having to do our daily routine in different rooms.”
Chris spent more than £11,000 on the bathroom – with the materials costing over £10,000 and a further £1,000 for specialist fitting.
The software engineer explained: “We have half the shower so we have to be careful about how we shower and where we stand as it tends to leak.
“It is barely usable and it is not convenient at all with it being prone to leaking due to how it’s been installed.
“The shower valves were not correctly installed and when I confronted the fitter about this and the other issues, he threatened to walk if we were not happy with the work before doing so.
“I am not going to be held to ransom but it was shocking to be given such an ultimatum.”
The family has tried to take matters into their own hands by contacting their bank but Wickes are still yet to finish the job.
Chris admitted: “We contacted the ombudsman and Barclays where we took the finance out with so you’re obviously entitled to a refund with any big purchase.
“We raised a section 75 with Barclays who acted as an intermediary which is the process I am going through at the moment.
“I feel a bit lost as we have not received the money back as Wickes keeps delaying by saying that they will send someone out.
“Nothing has been said about how they will compensate us or even just fix the actual bathroom.
“The last time they worked on it was mid-August before they put the blocks of wood under the shower to stop it from ripping away from the wall.
“We did our kitchen with Wickes at the beginning of 2023 which wasn’t without its issues but we got it done with a lot less stress than this.
“Grout started falling out of the tiles but the tradesman did eventually do the work after six months, but Wickes apologised and said they would give us a discount on the bathroom.”
A Wickes spokesperson said: “We are very sorry to hear of Mr Martin’s bathroom installation issues as we aim to complete our installations to a high standard.
“Our customer relations team is in contact with the customer to confirm a date to complete the installation as soon as possible and will continue to work with Mr Martin until the matter is resolved, with the best possible care.”