I hired another tradesman, Zahir, to carry out the recessed LED lighting installation and associated plastering/finishing works. The purpose of the job was to install recessed LED lighting professionally into the walls/ceiling using aluminium profiles, with the profiles plastered into the surface so that the finished lighting would look clean, seamless and suitable for a high-end commercial clinic. What was agreed Zahir provided me with a written breakdown of the job. His original quotation stated: * £500 – over 40 metres of LED profiles * £60 – 3 drivers * £20 – connectors * £70 – 2 LED controllers * £250 – labour for the LED installation * £200 – plastering, including materials * Extra socket – free The total quoted amount was therefore approximately £1,100. He also specifically told me that the work would take approximately two days — one day to install the profiles and plaster them in, and a second day after drying to install the lighting and diffusers. What actually happened The work did not progress as originally represented and instead dragged on for weeks. There were repeated issues with communication and getting clear dates for when Zahir would return and complete or rectify the job. Once the work had been carried out, I was extremely unhappy with the finished result. The main problems included the LED installation/finish being unsatisfactory, inconsistent lighting/brightness in areas such as the hallway, poor plastering and finishing around the recessed profiles, and dirty/marked diffusers being left as part of the finished installation. I was also unhappy with the way filler/finishing products had been used over areas of the plastering, as the overall finish was not what I had paid for or expected from a professional installation. The only part of the work I was satisfied with was the actual installation of the metal profiles. Payment and opportunity to rectify Despite having concerns about the quality of the work, I made payment in good faith because I believed Zahir would return and put the problems right. My partner had actually advised me against paying because of the visible quality of the work, but I trusted Zahir to complete and rectify everything. Rather than immediately demanding money back, I repeatedly contacted him and gave him opportunities to return and resolve the problems. However, communication became increasingly difficult. Calls and messages from both myself and my partner went unanswered, and when I specifically asked whether he could attend to rectify the work, I did not receive a proper response. When concerns were raised, explanations were given relating to the quality of the LED lights and the plasterer he used letting him down. My position is that those issues are not my responsibility as the customer. I hired and paid Zahir for the job, and whoever he chose to use to assist him was his responsibility. Breakdown in the relationship Eventually, after the repeated lack of communication, my partner and I attended Zahir’s home trying to get a response. He contacted the police. I will not be attending his home again, and the dispute is now being dealt with entirely in writing. I have also made it clear that I no longer authorise or want Zahir to return to the clinic to carry out further work. I have lost confidence in his workmanship and intend to have the problems rectified by somebody else. Formal complaint and refund request I subsequently sent Zahir a formal written complaint, setting out the problems with the LED and plastering works and explaining the attempts I had already made to allow him to rectify them. I requested a refund and gave him an opportunity to resolve the dispute without formal proceedings. He did not provide a substantive response to the complaint. I then sent a further written demand giving him 48 hours to confirm his position, including requesting evidence supporting the material costs he was claiming. The £710 materials dispute Zahir has referred to approximately £710 being spent on materials. However, his original written quotation broke the costs down differently. The identifiable electrical/LED materials in his original quotation were: £500 profiles + £60 drivers + £20 connectors + £70 controllers = £650. The £200 plastering charge was separately described as “plaster including material.” Therefore, I have asked Zahir to explain precisely how he has calculated the later £710 material figure and to provide evidence supporting any material costs he intends to rely upon when determining what should be refunded. He subsequently responded by repeating that the profiles cost £500 and the three drivers cost £60. When I requested the receipts/evidence supporting the expenditure, he responded: “You have no right over the receipts.” I am therefore still without an evidenced/itemised explanation for the £710 figure. Current position The dispute is now at the point where I do not want Zahir returning to the property. I have given him opportunities to rectify the work and subsequently opportunities to resolve the matter financially. I have also formally requested evidence supporting the material costs he says should be taken into account. I have retained the original written quotation, payment evidence, WhatsApp messages, photographs and videos of the workmanship, correspondence regarding rectification, and my formal complaint/refund requests. My position is that I paid for a professional, completed recessed LED installation and plastered finish. The work was not delivered to the standard I expected, the job took substantially longer than originally represented, attempts to have the problems rectified failed, and I am now having to arrange remedial work with another contractor. I am therefore seeking an appropriate refund based on the defective/incomplete elements of the work and the reasonable costs required to put those issues right. If Zahir continues to refuse to resolve the matter, I intend to consider formal civil recovery rather than continuing to argue with him directly.
Plaster and sanding installation of metal frame and diffuser installation of leds
Calls, emails
he stated he would refund us but apparently his card is blocked so he’s saying he will only refund £375
refund of £1000 as this guy has done more damage then good