Ripped off By Builder

JohnnyJet

It's that trust thing again, I now have to go through the whole process of getting someone again. Maybe I can get him to do a couple of extra things before he goes.

Had an interesting call from a solicitor today but I will say more at a later date.

JohnnyJet

Think this is what they call a bad news day.....

In my previous post I mentioned that I had an interesting call from a solicitor, well that interesting call was to tell me that the builder had considerable funds in his business account and they were going to take our case on as it was an almost certain win. Also we were able to sue him personally, unfortunately I got a call from a more senior member of the team today and have been told that they looked at the wrong company and he actually has no money in his business account so it was not worth them taking on the case. The builder has also been busy selling off all his assets and has now informed Companies House that he wishes to close the company. I have 3 months to take him to court and declare an interest in his company otherwise the chance will be gone forever. Can't see a point though as he has cleared his business account already.
Apparently there is nothing we can do about this and because he is not declaring himself bankrupt he can start a new company tomorrow. I will also not be able to name him due to no court case taking place. The thieving little s***.

How can it be legal to take a families life savings, make them homeless, threaten them for months and still walk away without any comeback. Something is seriously wrong with our legal system and the people who supposedly create the rules.

climbintheladderouttadebt

Hi Johnny, sad but true, the system is flawed. I am so sorry to be reading not so happy news from you tonight. The only words I can give you are to remember that this guy, and no-one else for that matter, can take the love of your family away from you.
You have admiration from many, many MSErs for your continued devotion to your family and your home. If goodwill was money, the builder would be a tramp in the street and you would be the richest man alive, I'm sure.
Sending positive thoughts to you and your family!! Hugs!

pixiechick_2

spammer coming up. Clear off LukeParker!

JohnnyJet

climbintheladderouttadebt wrote: »

Hi Johnny, sad but true, the system is flawed. I am so sorry to be reading not so happy news from you tonight. The only words I can give you are to remember that this guy, and no-one else for that matter, can take the love of your family away from you.
You have admiration from many, many MSErs for your continued devotion to your family and your home. If goodwill was money, the builder would be a tramp in the street and you would be the richest man alive, I'm sure.
Sending positive thoughts to you and your family!! Hugs!

This man has blatantly committed fraud and no one in authority wants to know. I'll make sure I turn a blind eye when they want help from me, they have had all my good will.

In time I'm sure I will forget all of this but at the moment I am just so bitter. Not only has he taken all our money and reduced us to a life bordering on poverty, but he has kept up this pretence for months now, constantly asking for more money from us. Now that he realises we are trying to take him to court he decides to close his company down. I came so close to giving up because of his bullying tactics but he gets no punishment, in fact he gets rewarded.

My children are great and I know I must try hard to forget all of this and concentrate on having more fun days out.

By the way I hope you all don't mind me having a moan, think my wife has heard enough for today.

climbintheladderouttadebt

Of course no-one minds. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say we're glad to help, one way or another, even if only by listening.
I cannot imagine how you must be feeling, though I have had lots of wrongdoing to me that people have gotten away with scott-free and my suffering has been hard. I cannot compare my situations to yours though, nor offer any practical help or advice. But I very much wish I could!

The law regarding these situations should be changed, though I don;t know anything to say why it stands the way it does.

I'm so sorry you didn't get better news.

miggy

Just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear this bad news and the whole situation is rubbish.
I don't know if this idea might get anywhere as I never actually tried it but it was recommended to me:
When we had a bad experience with a firm, someone advised us to put a notice in the paper: 'Has anyone had dealings with such & such? Please contact (our number)'. The idea was to alert people that there was something going on - if they were thinking of using the company they might contact us first to see what it was about.
I think if it were that straightforward maybe more people would be doing it.
How are things going with your house?

JohnnyJet

miggy wrote: »

Just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear this bad news and the whole situation is rubbish.
I don't know if this idea might get anywhere as I never actually tried it but it was recommended to me:
When we had a bad experience with a firm, someone advised us to put a notice in the paper: 'Has anyone had dealings with such & such? Please contact (our number)'. The idea was to alert people that there was something going on - if they were thinking of using the company they might contact us first to see what it was about.
I think if it were that straightforward maybe more people would be doing it.
How are things going with your house?

Currently we have the plasterers in and they are making a right mess, probably just over halfway now. The electricians have finished the first fix and the plumber has started. I'm doing the guttering and making the kitchen units at the weekend and the roof is almost complete. Oh and I also have to paint the kitchen by Saturday, not sure when I can fit that in. We can't finish any of upstairs so that will have to be boarded off along with some of the ground floor. Hope to move into the property in a couple of weeks. :j :j :j

RAS

Johnny

There is an interesting comment or two on this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2599165. I would not get your hopes up but might be worth sending a pm to fatenbread?

JohnnyJet

RAS wrote: »

Johnny

There is an interesting comment or two on this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2599165. I would not get your hopes up but might be worth sending a pm to fatenbread?

Thanks, had a look and will keep an eye on it.