How retired Enniskillen couple's dream bathroom became a £10k nightmare

But after settling on a £4,000 bill for materials and a further £3,500 for labour, they were left with "a complete mess of a bathroom" without knowing how to get it fixed - or how much more it will end up costing.

The building contractor, Gerard Curran, told the Belfast Telegraph he had offered to sit down with the couple and discuss their complaints about the work that was carried out.

"The job is not done to the standard I would like to leave it," said Mr Curran, who has 35 years' experience.

"It requires two to three days' more work, which I have offered to go back on site to do.

"There was an issue with tiles not being available, and that was down to who supplied the materials.

"Customer service is very important to me.

"The client needs to be happy."

Richard Halderthay of Bassetts, which sold the bathroom suite and other materials to the Cunninghams, told this newspaper that it intended to "put everything right" as soon as possible.

The couple were left devastated after they spent money bequeathed to them on a job that "went wrong".

Mr Cunningham (65) said he and his 70-year-old wife, a former office secretary, had to find alternative accommodation, which set them back nearly £2,000, after the work took longer to complete than predicted.

"We were initially told it would take 10 days for the job but we ended up having to stay away for 17 due to what we were told were 'unforeseen works'," said Mr Cunningham, who was in the retail and hospitality industry before his retirement.

"The bathroom was in desperate need of an upgrade, we couldn't get rid of a horrid smell coming from the sink, shower cubicle and toilet," his wife explained.

"The shower pressure was also very poor and we had no bathtub. It was essential work that needed done.

"The Bassetts salesman recommended a local tradesman and said we could relax because he'd do a perfect job."

After what appeared to be a promising start, the couple were told the job wasn't as straightforward as it initially appeared. "We'd already paid £1,500 up front and were told another £500 was needed," Mr Cunningham said.

"We paid the money, which brought our total expenditure on materials and work to £7,500.

"The worst thing is, the majority of the tiles aren't even fixed properly to the wall. We're both devastated. We've used almost all the money our daughter gave us and we've been left with a complete mess."

She died from cancer last year and was the couple's only child.

Unhappy with the end result, they contacted Bassetts and the building contractor to complain.

Bassetts later wrote to the couple saying it could not be held responsible for the work of an independent "third party" with whom the Cunninghams had made their own arrangements for the work and subsequent payments.

In the letter the company said it considered "the contractual relationship between yourselves and Bassetts covers the purchase of the materials only".

Bassetts also said "as a goodwill gesture, we are prepared to offer you some replacement materials to assist with the rectification of the tiling" including tiles, wall adhesive, floor adhesive and grout.

Mr Halderthay said Bassetts wished to apologise and help resolve the problems.

"We are really sorry to hear what has happened with the Cunninghams' bathroom refurbishment and we've agreed with the Cunninghams to help them put everything right," he said.

"We were very pleased to supply materials to the Cunninghams.

"Unfortunately, the issues raised related to how the bathroom has been installed, something that is a matter between the Cunninghams and the contractor they have used.

"Nonetheless, we know how important this project was to the couple and want to help them put it right so we have agreed to do that.

"We really hope this helps to give them the bathroom they wanted."

The couple said they would just be happy when the refurbishment was done.