Devon TRF Group Forum

Nige · Expert

Some consumer advice on builders please?

ttr steve · Devon's Best

Nige

If you have not paid him for any work he is yet to finish, send him another text saying that you need to get the job finished because of the weather and if he can't get back within a week or so you will have to get someone else to finish the job. Just be polite about it and move on.

Hope that helps.

Steve

Cubber · Expert

Nige, threaten to sue him for an incomplete contract - that should put the wind up him a bit. wink

LOOK HERE for details.

Martyn

Jerry atterick · Expert

Im with Steve.
Give him one more chance - if it aint going to happen, it aint going to happen!
There are all sorts of things to sue him etc, personally speaking, you dont need the wind up, lifes too short.
Wrap it up, move on.

Nige · Expert

Thanks guys
I've done the being nice for a while and the scaffold tower is now up for me to do this weekend. He's been paid up to about now. But he has stiffed me for 200 on materials for the next job but that's a small price to pay given the complexity of the next job.

I'm not gonna chase him for 200 but did wander if trading standards or other party's might be interested before I complete his job!

Nige

Steve H · Devon's Best

As a Trading Standards approved builder I think you should give Trading Standards a call. It may not help you much but it may help someone else when they're looking for a builder.

ttr steve · Devon's Best

Didn't realise he owes you money, make sure you tell everyone how bad he is for not finishing the job. Word of mouth is a powerful tool. Are you going to post hes detail, so others can avoid him.

Steve H · Devon's Best

Nige wrote:
But he has stiffed me for 200 on materials for the next job

Most builders have accounts with builders merchants & have to pay for materials at the end of the following month.

Rarely something has to be bought from somewhere else, I use a credit card that gets paid off in full the following month.

In my experience there's no need to ask for cash up front.

ttr steve · Devon's Best

+1

I would be embarrassed to ask for money up front.

Devon_Rich · Clubman A

ttr steve wrote:
+1
I would be embarrassed to ask for money up front.

I would have done for instance prior to a boiler change where the material cost is the main part of a job. On large projects there are stage payments agreed normally around the value of materials on site. But then some jobs are waiting on others so final invoice and completion can be 3 months from supply

Nige · Expert

Gonna have to think about what to do about him as its a small town and life is to short. Its not the money but how he left the house that pissis me.

On a brighter note the old man came out to supervise me from the ground so I didn't mess it up.
Next thing to my horror he up the scaffold tower taking the trowl off of me . In his element at 77 years and would not go back down. So I told Mother she "Said he'll only moan if you do it". What a legend.

ANDY T · Sportsman

If the builder is local then his reputation is his ability to get work...

I'd call him, let him know exactly what you want and when you want it done by.... But it sounds like you have done that..
If he won't reply or fobs you off ...then...

Tell him if he does not do it (refund your £200) then you will take out a Small Claims Court case and instruct Bailiffs to recover..

He's taking the piss and basically took your money and ran off with it...

If it's a small community then think what that means to you..others will try it on the next time you need work doing..
Was he recommended by anyone? If so then let them know there is a problem..peer group pressure is a great motivator..

Did you have a written contract/letter with schedule of works agreement? If not then next time you should..

As has been said ..reputable builders have trade accounts..they don't need all the money up front and good ones don't mind stage payments as each part of the job is completed..

I sacked a builder once and refused to pay for the bad work done..he got grumpy so I asked if he wanted me to get another surveyor in the check the work he'd done.... Ended up doing it myself...there are a lot of cowboys out there ripping off customers giving all the good ones a bad reputation...