My right to choose

[BobbyZ]

I have just bought a new built house that has lots of fancy wiring for tv/data/audio installed. I have spoken to the installer (subcontractor) who did the wiring. He was unwilling to give me the drawings/layout of all the cables. :thumbsdow He was even unwilling to point in the ceiling where he had prepared for loudspeakers! :nono: His reasoning is probably that holding on to the drawings stops me to go elsewhere, thus he is forcing me to be his customer. He may want to charge me for putting up a satellite dish when it can be free.

What if I want to do it myself or use another supplier? Perhaps I can strike a deal with him whereby I just buy the hardware from him but gets another guy to install, but his attitude makes me reluctant to use him.

I feel like this: It is my house and I have a right to know how my house has been put together! I don't want to be forced to use a particular supplier/installer for many reasons, a few being:

- his price may not be competitive
- I may find out his company is about to go bust, with the obvious disavantages attached to that scenario.
- My best mate may be an AV installer, so I want to use him.

I would be interested in hearing anyones comments.

[AMc]

If the fancy wiring was part of the selling features of the house and formed part of the offer for sale etc. then I think you are entitled to details of how to use it.

If the description said "plumbing for washing machine" but not "only from the plumber who fitted out the house and at a premium" I don't think it would stick.

Speak to the vendor and if that fails then talk to your solicitor.

[barn]

There must be a plan, give the guy hell and tell him you will complain to the builders licence authority and consumer affairs and put him on a current affairs programe
Get the plan on paper as you may want it in 10 years time and the builder will probably not be around.
Plus it's just plain wrong.

[Abu]

If you've bought a new house surely they have to hand them over, it is after all your house, get onto the powers that be and give this guy a good shaking down. I'd have thought what he was doing isn't legal, after all no company is allowed to stop the consumers choice as to where he shops.

[BobbyZ]

Thanks for your comments guys. Glad to hear others feel the same about the situation. Will update after further developments...