A MARRIED couple have been forced to do their washing up in the bath for nine months after builders left them without a sink.
Bryan and Alison Simpson bought a new home at the start of this year and spent £20,000 on a renovation.
Their plan was to have an extension built on their home in County Durham so they could have their dream kitchen.
Bryan, 62, hired local building firm Pennine who told him the work would take around four weeks.
And now the bus driver and his NHS worker wife have said they've been living in "building site" for almost a year.
Bryan said: "When we first had Pennine around, the surveyor told us the work would take about four weeks and it's still not finished now.
Read more in news
Grandeur & emotion as we says farewell to our beloved Queen
Adorable moment mourning Charlotte copies aunt with touching show of respect
"They began in October and we haven't had a sink since January so we've been forced to do all the washing up over the bath, which has been back-breaking."
Bryan and wife Alison say it has really upset the family because they can't enjoy their new home the way they wanted.
"We haven't been able to decorate because of the dust," Bryan added. "It's not somewhere you want to come home to after work, we're living in a building site.
"I can't explain the amount of sleep we have lost and how much stress and upset it has caused to our family.
Most read in News
Princess Charlotte shares touching moment with Harry during Queen's funeral
Queen's coffin is lowered into vault as she's reunited with Prince Philip
Adorable moment mourning Charlotte copies aunt with touching show of respect
Fans all say the same thing as Beatrice & Eugenie appear to leave during funeral
"We were looking forward to enjoying our new home and thought we would be able to do so by now.
"We have already had one Christmas ruined and we don't want another one ruined this year.
"We went for Pennine because we knew the name and thought they're a reputable company up here – but we wish we never had."
The Newcastle-based company has said they are working to bring the situation to a "satisfactory conclusion".
A spokesperson for Pennine said: "Upon commencement of the installation an old stop cock was found to be hidden behind a wall that was due to be removed, under the existing kitchen sink
"We advised the customer that this would need to be removed and that it was not part of the originally planned works, as per the technical survey agreed and signed by the customer.
Tapped out
"The customer refused to arrange and pay for the works to be carried out in order for ourselves to commence the remainder of the build.
"After a complete impasse, and in order to have the build completed, Pennine agreed to carry out these non-contracted works, and bear the cost of them.
"However, the complexities of the works involved has caused a delay in sourcing a plumbing sub-contractor to take on the works involved; notwithstanding, this also requires complex scheduling of other works to be carried out following the plumbing works, in which we are currently processing.
"Whilst we do appreciate the concerns of the customer following their original estimated lead time for completion; however, when matters are experienced that are outside of our control, then lead times can change.
"We always strive to provide a comfortable customer experience, and to go above and beyond in order to overcome obstacles we may face during construction, alas on this occasion the intricacies added to the build have affected our ability to meet the customer's expectations.
"In the meantime, we will remain in contact with the customer in order to confirm a plan and schedule of works to bring the build to a satisfactory conclusion."
Source: Read Full Article
