Ripped off By Builder

JohnnyJet

black_taxi wrote: »

DONT DIY IT YOURSELF

you hav to get professional builders in and a report written up about corrections needed

I already have several reports from a surveying company that I commissioned when the builder left but this doesn't help when it's money you need to finish the job. I can't afford to employ all the trades to do the work so I have to be selective about what I pay for. If I can do it myself to a good standard then I will.

reallylost

Hi JJ
so happy that things are going in the right direction for you.
We are in the same boat as you and will have to do it all ourselves. the structural survey, report and architects report all cost so much dont they, leaving nothing left to pay a proffessional to do the actual work!!!!
So keep your chin up and keep posting, it gives others in similar situations some hope.

JohnnyJet

sampainter wrote: »

Hi JJ
so happy that things are going in the right direction for you.
We are in the same boat as you and will have to do it all ourselves. the structural survey, report and architects report all cost so much dont they, leaving nothing left to pay a proffessional to do the actual work!!!!
So keep your chin up and keep posting, it gives others in similar situations some hope.

I have already spent several thousand pounds with solicitor fees and surveys to reassure and cover myself, probably a waste of time but I felt that I had to do it.

It's a horrible situation to be in isn't it? You soon realise that no one in authority will help you and court fees a just too expensive to pursue. You just have to get on and try to make things better. I get good days and bad days, but one thing I will never do is give up, I have worked too hard for that. By the way I'm having an angry day today. :mad:

JohnnyJet

Got a local newspaper interested in the story and they are going to interview us tomorrow and take our photo. They are going to chase up Trading Standards to see why they have taken no action so far. Better have a shave then, been putting it off as we only have a kitchen sink with cold water. Bathroom still not fitted.
I now know that the old builder has bought himself two new vans, so much for going bankrupt!!

RAS

best of luck.

Obviously be careful how you phrase it. Do you have photos of the situation he left as that will shock people?

JohnnyJet

RAS wrote: »

best of luck.

Obviously be careful how you phrase it. Do you have photos of the situation he left as that will shock people?

It's a shame I didn't try to contact the paper when it all went wrong but there is still loads to do. I took hundreds of photos and videoed everything when he walked off site, I will have pleasure in handing that over to them.

GeorgeUK

Copies of them - not the originals. Hope it helps get things moving for you.

JohnnyJet

GeorgeUK wrote: »

Copies of them - not the originals. Hope it helps get things moving for you.

Yes all photocopied and scanned in ready to give to the relevant agency. I also keep the originals in a different location but really need to find a permanent home for them. Anyone know if the banks are any good for storage and costs?

MatyMoo

I think you have a choice of bank or solicitors for safe keeping of documents.

We have been lucky that neither have charged us in the past as we used their services so it is worth asking them both.

JohnnyJet

Got ourselves on the front page of the Herald today, I hope that this will shame the police into taking another look at the case. The police woman that came and saw us a few weeks ago said "Well it was you that gave him the money", basically saying that we were stupid to give him the money in the first place. Think I already know that but it doesn't mean that he can take it without finishing the work. Anyway it's a good write up even though they didn't go into too much detail.