Need to get rid of a dodgy builder?

rosie-marie

I hope someone can help as I am a bit worried about this situation

My dad recently got a quote from a builder to relay his drive. This builder was looking for business door to door (yes I know!). He agreed to take on the builder and gave him a substantial deposit when asked. The builder then went missing for 3 months, not returning his calls and fobbing him off etc. My dad eventually got fed up and said he would give the job to someone else - at this the builder turned up within a few days. The problem is they have dug up his slopping drive and put down hardcore. They have left it and he hasn't seen them for 4 weeks. Now his drive looks a bit like a quagmire, the hardcore has started to slip down and become uneven. They are finding it difficult to walk up and down it as they are elderly. They have tried to contact him but it has proved elusive.
My dad has now decided that he doesn't want the builder to come back anyway because he has realised that the orginal quote was way over-priced when he asked a few neighbors who had had the same job done. Also he is unconvinced that the job will be done to a good standard. He basically wants someone to come and finish the job off properly.

What I want to know is - if the builder ever comes back can he just tell him to clear off, or is he under some legal obligation to allow them to finish the job even though no contract was signed.

I know he made a big mistake in taking on someone not recommended without looking into the quote, and handing over large amounts to him, but he doesn't want to throw good money after bad. He is prepared to kiss goodbye to his deposit but just wants the job done properly. Does anyone know what he should do as I'm feeling a bit worried about the whole thing.Thank you in advance.

philweatherall

rosie-marie wrote: »

I know he made a big mistake in taking on someone not recommended without looking into the quote, and handing over large amounts to him, but he doesn't want to throw good money after bad. He is prepared to kiss goodbye to his deposit but just wants the job done properly. Does anyone know what he should do as I'm feeling a bit worried about the whole thing.Thank you in advance.

Your father is within his rights to tell him to clear off at any point of the job as long as he is up together with his payments. He should look to get back his deposit as well if the work taken place doesn't resemble the cost but I would speak to citizens advice about that.

I suppose you have no receipt??

rosie-marie

Hi thanks for your reply, no, no receipt. I suppose if I am honest I am more bothered that the builder may turn nasty, if my dad gets someone else in to finish off the job there is still a few thousand left in the original quote that the builder may feel that he is entitled to.

nickj_2

don't give him a penny more
go to trading standards https://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk
get someone else in to finish it -
tell the builder that you got fed up with waiting

adaze

You would probably be paying for someone else to come and remove the existing hardcore that has been laid if the new contractor is going to offer any kind of guarantee. So it will cost similar to the original quote I imagine. Deffo go to trading standards though, at least you might be able to stop others falling for the same thing!

rosie-marie

Thanks for your replies, will show them to my dad. Will start to look for a reputable builder. The problem came about because he tried to get quotes from recommended builders but it was so difficult getting them to come out or give a quote because it is quite a small job, he got impatient and asked the first person who came to the door. But you live and learn....thanks again.

nickj_2

ask friends and neighbours etc for reccomendations
go and see their work if possible
get a written itemized quote of their spec , payment conditions etc ,guarantees and a likely start and completion date ........ with things in the economy as they are you should get a reasonable deal ..... do not pay over the odds

bookduck

and take loads of photos from loads of angles.

You may also want to visit the police, especially if your parents are elderly - they might be deemed as vulnerable. Should he ever come back and be threatening then they might still be aware of the situation, or the police may already be aware of him.

rosie-marie

Thanks for your replies. Will definitely show them all to my dad. As long as he is ok legally we will sort it out. Me and my sister were talking last night on the phone and after a few glasses of wine we came up with the idea of relaying the drive ourselves (how hard can it be?):D Will ring her up later to say we ought to get the professionals in. The things we agree to after a few drinks!

marybishop

When you speak to trading standards (and they will probably be very interested as they are pretty hot on rogue traders) ask them if they have a list of reputable tradesmen (I know our local ones do).

rosie-marie

marybishop wrote: »

When you speak to trading standards (and they will probably be very interested as they are pretty hot on rogue traders) ask them if they have a list of reputable tradesmen (I know our local ones do).

Yes good idea thanks. Builders turned up this morning. My dad sent them away with a flea in their ear, they weren't hostile or anything - which was my worse fear. Looks like my dad can still fight his own corner. But will still contact TStandards because the letter head has a piece of paper glued over the name of another company - also the builder has no VAT number and told my dad he was doing it cheap for him because he doesn't pay VAT - clearly not an honest builder. Thanks guys for your advice.