Now youve got me worried.
My girlfriend was home and paid him, I got home an hour later after he had left. It wasnt until the next day I had a proper look. Called him, left a message that I wanted to discuss it, but suspecting that I wouldnt be in a position to do anything once he was paid, I decided to stop the cheque.
Only when his cheque bounced did he call me back. I got him over for a chat, in that chat he offered to knock £30 off for not completing the grouting behind the pipes. Initially I said that I thought it worth less than £200. I moved to £250 but he wouldnt accept that. he left and I said I would consider his offer. after a few days I called him back and repeated £250 (for cash btw) he wanted it that night. I put him off until after the weekend, I expected him to chase me for it yesterday/monday.
So I started to think about handing over £250 and couldnt help thinking that I just wasnt satisfied and I would still feel annoyed - especially given I would have to look at them for the next 5 years at least!
At this point I took some photos and made this thread. Im glad I did. I was feeling pretty bad about it but you guys have confirmed that I can reasonably expect better.
Would I have paid more for a perfect job. yes. had it been exactly as specced I would happily have paid the rate, say a third day of work. I do respect skills and workmanship, and what is involved. He could have charged another day and I wouldnt have batted an eyelid. Id have been quite happy to see him still painstakingly fixing tiles late into the second day. "wow its a lot of extra fiddling to get this perfect, im going to run over a day, either you can do the grouting or I can finish with an extra days money?" would have been fine.
thanks again to all contributors.