21/03/2026
When DIY SOS comes to Basingstoke, albeit on a much smaller scale....
When Gavin approached me at Basingstoke Heating & Plumbing Supplies LTD to ask if I would help with a job where an existing plumber left a vulnerable, elderly couple where the husband has severe dementia with an unfinished, unusable and in some ways dangerous bathroom I didn't hesitate
When I first visited I was disgusted and felt sick and very sad, how could anyone do this, I felt ashamed of my profession
The pictures don't do it justice, but potential live wires were simply cut and left in the wall and the cord still in situ, the panels were so out of level from floor to ceiling by approx 50mm, damage to the shower tray, which should have been non slip, due to the age and vulnerability of the gentleman but wasn't, a gap that a child couldn't get through to the shower, let alone a grown man, the pump was incorrectly fitted, the waste pipe was running uphill, the list goes on and on, this left the customer stressed, upset, out of pocket by £6000 and extremely unhappy.
It's been an absolute pleasure helping this couple, especially when I found out that they are also well known to my family since they live where my wife grew up.
It sickens me that there are people out there who can do this to anyone, let alone this couple who have their own struggles just managing day to day life, the customer is too nice to name and shame but I know who you are, but I also have to remain professional. If this was my family and I wasn't in the trade, I would be having a very different view.
Huge thank you to Gavin who recommended and trusted me and who sourced all the bathroom suite through their suppliers who donated so generously
My brother who helped with the heavy lifting.
Video of initial visit to follow
