dodgy builder...what do i do now?

red

i am at the end of my tether and thought i would come to you guys for a bit of help and advice if anyone can proffer any!!!

i have done a couple of small developments and found that the worse thing has been trying to control the builders - on my first project i had THREE sets of builders that disappeared and then i found a guy who charged a slightly mad amount to finish the job. anyway, it was done, i thought the guy was a decent so used him on my second project.

this project should have been finished a while ago, and then when all was finished, he then did something to the boiler where he said that he had to take it off the wall to fix it. over a fortnight later he is now no longer answering calls or returning messages. i do not know what to do!!!

should i just see put this down to experience and find a new plumber to install a new boiler? how much would i be looking at for it? does anyone have any help?

red

ps, i should say that if this is posted in the wrong place, sorry, and please move to the right board as necessary!

pinkshoes

What sort of contract did you have with the builders? Did you pay them up front, or did the contract state that payment would be on completion of the tasks?

Do you have an address for him so you could go round and see him and ask him to come and finish the work?

red

i have an address, yes, and the contract was an agreed quote and the payments were done throughout the contract when we met agreed milestones. the reason the boiler was paid for was because it was installed and certified..then about a month later removed again. so, no official quote, all monies paid up to date until the boiler was taken away!

nicebelvoir

Is your builder corgi registered? If he isn't I'd want someone to check that boiler installation right now! And, if he continued to ignore you I'd be thinking of telling corgi about him.

red

nicebelvoir wrote: »

Is your builder corgi registered? If he isn't I'd want someone to check that boiler installation right now! And, if he continued to ignore you I'd be thinking of telling corgi about him.

thanks for this, but the boiler has been removed!

pinkshoes

So the property now has NO boiler? I'd go and see him in person, ask him when he's going to finish the job. If he gives you a date, write to him (recorded delivery) confirming the date he agreed to. If it states on the contract that installing boiler was a milestone, and he was paid to do so, then he needs to finish it (again!). Was he Corgi registered?

If he doesn't turn up, the I guess you could try taking him to the small claims court to get the money back. If he refuses to come round and finish the work, then ask him for a refund for this milestone, and if he refuses, then tell him you'll be claiming the money back through the small claims court.

nicebelvoir

red wrote: »

thanks for this, but the boiler has been removed!

But the pipes will still be there won't they? Are you sure he didn't damage anything and correctly disconnected the gas supply? (Not trying to worry you but if this guy isn't corgi registered it's pretty serious - if it's been left for a while then it's unlikely to be a problem, but even so, and it's a good way of kicking up a fuss.)

A quick search of google turns up quite a few things about complaining about builders including this:

http://www.northlincs.gov.uk/NorthLincs/Business/buildingregulations/choosingabuilder.htm

the bit at the bottom is most relevant:

"If you would like independent advice on the merits of your case, seek advice from a Trading Standards Department (through Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit the Consumer Direct website), a solicitor or independent surveyor."

pigunderaroof

red wrote: »

thanks for this, but the boiler has been removed!

think you have to be registered to remove and install a GAS boiler. It is also theft and or crimminal damage? is it not?

You need to write to him by recorded asking when he will return and finnish giving him 7 days to repsond. if no response, send another letter stating you will go to Small claims court. In fact if you get the paperwok from your local SCC and fill it in as if you are going to send it. then write a cheque out to the value the court wants for the applictaion. Photocopy both. send the copies with the second letter saying if no repsonse within 14 days you will submit the originals of the enclosed documents at the such and such small claims court. This will hopefully make his bum vibrate and prompt him into acting. If it does not, its up to you to decide if you want to submit them or drop it. Verbal agreements are binding as well as written if I am not mistaken but a legal egg spert would need to clarify. aAre you in a union at work? Yes? Phone em up.

Dunno if you ever recvd a summons but it aint nice so hope this works.

Good Luck

red

thanks for this...not trying to make his life difficult, but i am a bit annoyed to say the least!!! i am going to do exactly as you say...will hopefully provoke a reaction if nothing else!

red

i have found an excellent new service for making claims online -

https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/csmco2/index.jsp

have just filled it out as i think this is the easiest and quickest solution...just in case it is of use to others out there!