Hi, we booked a builder to fit our cloakroom and bathroom. This was a 2week job he said. The first week he had nearly finished cloakroom and asked for full payment, i said to my husband we shouldn't until job is done, my oh said i trust him. So we paid for the cloakroom, and also build materials for bathroom. Then he started work on bathroom and asked for 75%of the price for bathroom. We paid, then he went away for a weekend trip. He said he had an accident and hurt his ribs. (which i don't believe) He went home early that first day back, then 2nd day he phoned from hospital and said he's broken 4 ribs. He turned up though but at 12.30 then home again at 3, and this is how his work has been, but also problems with his work as well, he fitted bath without the panel, and when asked for it, it didn't fit, and said wan't his problem, bath panels should come in 2 parts, ours didn't. He's been working now for 3 weeks and nowhere near finished, but said he can't work again until wens as he is away on hols again. (doing another job more likely). Im angry that we paid him the money and he is really treating us badly. Now he's evan said to my husband if your not happy he will walk away from job as the work that is left is same amount we owe, which isn't true. Also forgot to add he missed work for dentist odd days then again because told can't work as had injection at dentist. He has become my biggest nightmare. My husband trused this guy but i had a bad feeling about him. When we booked him to start we got plasterer booked to do his job first, then the bathroom fitter said no i told you i was starting the wekk before, but he hadn't, so i guessed this really was a bad sign, but we got through that as had fab plasterer. So sorry about this long post,but me and my husband are arguing and so stressed about this builder that he has got most of our money and calling all the shots and we have 2 unfinished rooms and a bath panel that don't fit, a leak which we never had before, which he also denies. How do we stand with this guy, legally, what can we do, can he just walk away from a job when hasn't finished it, he has been paid for most of it, the work left will cost us a lot more to get finished. He really is making my blood boil at moment, what actions acan i take. I have no receipts for his building costs, which have been £400 so far. I did get him to sign receipts for money i gave, as got ripped of last year, so covered myself. Help, and thank you for listoning this far. lisa
Did you have a written quote? you still have a verbal agreement but easier if it's in writing. Worth ringing local consumer advice for info on how to proceed.I would ask for a firm completion date and inform him if it's not completed you will have the work done by others and sue him for the costs.As for the bath panel, it should have been available to him before he fitted the bath so he could assess how it fitted.Probably down to bad comunication, though he should have asked for full details of the fit before quoting a price.From experience it's quite common for customer to change their minds as fit progresses or leave out vital info which can lead to friction.
Never argue with a woman. You might win - and then you'll really be in trouble.
Thanks for your reply, i did have a quote by email, which ive got, and this week is the 4th week now. (and he will be back this wens, maybe).The panel, was in our loft as the garage was full and he could of had it at any time he evan went in our loft to do the electrics, you couldn't miss it, but when i said about the panel, he said the bath has a leak, so won't fit yet. He fitted the bath and sealed it. then asked for panel, then said they normaly are in 2 pieces(we have a corner bath panel)i didn't know they did, just what come with the bath. Its to big now, and he said if he cuts it, its at our own risk. weve never had a problem with anyone before, and weve never paid for work before than either, so do feel very sick at the moment. Thanks for info. lisa
Originally posted by lisaann: Thanks for your reply, i did have a quote by email, which ive got, and this week is the 4th week now. (and he will be back this wens, maybe).The panel, was in our loft as the garage was full and he could of had it at any time he evan went in our loft to do the electrics, you couldn't miss it, but when i said about the panel, he said the bath has a leak, so won't fit yet. He fitted the bath and sealed it. then asked for panel, then said they normaly are in 2 pieces(we have a corner bath panel)i didn't know they did, just what come with the bath. Its to big now, and he said if he cuts it, its at our own risk. weve never had a problem with anyone before, and weve never paid for work before than either, so do feel very sick at the moment. Thanks for info. lisa
I would suggest getting a surveyor to report on the state of the work to date and list the unfinished and unsatisfactory items. You then have to give the builder the chance to make good. If he doesn't complete the job to your satisfaction within a reasonable time you could go to dispute resolution, arbitration or small claims court. Hope this helps.
Originally posted by lisaann: Thanks for your reply, i did have a quote by email, which ive got, and this week is the 4th week now. (and he will be back this wens, maybe).The panel, was in our loft as the garage was full and he could of had it at any time he evan went in our loft to do the electrics, you couldn't miss it, but when i said about the panel, he said the bath has a leak, so won't fit yet. He fitted the bath and sealed it. then asked for panel, then said they normaly are in 2 pieces(we have a corner bath panel)i didn't know they did, just what come with the bath. Its to big now, and he said if he cuts it, its at our own risk. weve never had a problem with anyone before, and weve never paid for work before than either, so do feel very sick at the moment. Thanks for info. lisa
I would suggest getting a surveyor to report on the state of the work to date and list the unfinished and unsatisfactory items. You then have to give the builder the chance to make good. If he doesn't complete the job to your satisfaction within a reasonable time you could go to dispute resolution, arbitration or small claims court. Hope this helps.
Thank you, it does help, just good to know my options. thanks again.
thanks for replys, contacted consumer, they have been very helpful, also previous people who used this man have also complained, seems same story, a medical problem, then dissapears, but we got of quite light. a hard lesson learn't for us.
It sounds from what you say that he has nearly finished the work, is that correct? If so I would let him go and get someonelse to finish off - you still have 25% of his fee held back don't you?
In future, never pay up front. I either pay-as-you go with a lump sum at end of each week, or all the money at the end of the job, depending on which the tradesman prefers. I do this even with tradesmen I know and trust, because you never know what life has in store - what if they break a leg and are out of commission for months.
Originally posted by velvet: It sounds from what you say that he has nearly finished the work, is that correct? If so I would let him go and get someonelse to finish off - you still have 25% of his fee held back don't you?
In future, never pay up front. I either pay-as-you go with a lump sum at end of each week, or all the money at the end of the job, depending on which the tradesman prefers. I do this even with tradesmen I know and trust, because you never know what life has in store - what if they break a leg and are out of commission for months.
I know you don't pay up front, my husband believed his sob story, we were conned. it issn't as simple as 25% work left, pay someone else. He has been paid for 80% of job, and only done 40%, and of that work, tiles will have to be taken down, as he's used a glu gun, and ive since found out, previous people have had tiles fall of walls, he also is fitting boilers and not corgi registered, which ive since found out, that why i posted on here, how i can gret him legally. In the 4 weeks he worked, he had 2 holidays, worked half days, and broke ribs and had emergency dental treatment, and got arm injection, so couldn't work. lady before he had heart problems, and took time of and holidays again, this is a man who has to be stopped, ive got young children, who could have a bath, and a tile may drop on there head, or who knowsd what else. Weve been stupid paying the money, we know that, but thats how you get conned, it can happen to the best of us, they are charmming people, they are believeable and have the chat. I don't have the money to pay another builder, i only have £300 i owe him, that won't be enough to replace the tiles. I will get him, and he won't con anyone again, as one lady was disabled, who he fitted her boiler. many thanks for your reply, i only wish it was a simple as using the fee left, to pay someone else. lisa
Rising Damp has advised how to get redress and from what you say you have since had other advice on your consumer rights. I can see why you want to try to stop him continuing these cowboy practices. The only problem I would have with Rising Damp's advice is that I would not want to give this builder another chance to put it right, because he is clearly incompetent and/or workshy so I would not trust him to do a decent job.
If you haven't already done so, I would contact the Trading Standards dept at the local council.
Originally posted by velvet: Rising Damp has advised how to get redress and from what you say you have since had other advice on your consumer rights. I can see why you want to try to stop him continuing these cowboy practices. The only problem I would have with Rising Damp's advice is that I would not want to give this builder another chance to put it right, because he is clearly incompetent and/or workshy so I would not trust him to do a decent job.
If you haven't already done so, I would contact the Trading Standards dept at the local council.
I was going to send the letter as consumer advised, but thought he'd not turn up or reply, then i could get another builder in, but someone who had work done by him, said he would turn up. We both don't want him back, that would be madness. I have contacted trading standards and watch dog and roque traders. Hopefully will help, but if i find out the tiles are dangerous then will sue him, not his company. I think if people let people get away with things, it carries on. I know weve been very stupid, but now just trying to stop him. thanks for advice.
