Ripped off By Builder

SouthernBellE*

Hi JJ,

Not sure what ground space you have at your property but if there is room, the static caravan is a good way to go, I know you have money to complete a roof but as the property has no kitchen or bathroom either, would it not be worth considering buying one with the money and connection electric/water? I know it would mean raising funds again for the house but as there would be no rent AND the money would be made back when you complete the house by selling it on, economical and more comfortable in the long run!
Also, OH works away from home and tries to stay on site where possible. Bunker bins/cabins are rented through speedyhire, A Plant etc. Not sure how much hire rate is to individual but through a company can be really cheap.
Think realistically about how long the house is likely to take and weigh up your best option for what you & your family can live with.
Cry if you need to, no-ones judging you. A lot of stress and pressure for anyone to handle especially with a wife and 3 kids looking to you for answers.
Every right to be angry but remember it's the builder who is to blame. Don't punish yourself or your family for the situation, you're in the same predicament because of the greedy builder so try not to take it out on each other. I know it can't be easy and you don't have a lot of time because of work and family, try to look at the bigger picture as far as accomodation is concerned. Not sure how old your children are but I know there is no school this week and school holidays are looming. Renting is dead money that could be used towards the rebuild, borrowed or bought caravan to keep on site would give you more time to do some work on the house and leave money to put towards it.

Good luck honey, thinking of you all!

SBx

JohnnyJet

SouthernBellE* wrote: »

Hi JJ,

Not sure what ground space you have at your property but if there is room, the static caravan is a good way to go, I know you have money to complete a roof but as the property has no kitchen or bathroom either, would it not be worth considering buying one with the money and connection electric/water? I know it would mean raising funds again for the house but as there would be no rent AND the money would be made back when you complete the house by selling it on, economical and more comfortable in the long run!


SBx

Thanks, a caravan is not really an option as there is a skip on the driveway and no access to the rear of the property via a road. Nice idea and I would consider it if it were possible. I did genuinely consider a tent but all kids are under 6 so wouldn't be easy to contain them.

JohnnyJet

mc33033 wrote: »

CD give advice on behalf of Trading Standards - if you have already spoken with them, they should have given you a basic understanding of the legislation involved here. Now, as Trading Standards are run by your local council, you will find that there is a difference in the way local authorities run their departments - in a nutshell, you will find some TS will be willing to look at civil cases like this and try to mediate between the parties, but they aren't obliged to offer this service (this is why different posters have different expectations of what TS will do - the more local government cutbacks there are, the more likely that other TS departments will have to focus solely on criminal cases).

Some departments will be too busy with criminal cases to help with these civil cases. Your TS is most likely to fall into this category, otherwise CD would most likely have given them the case rather than tell you to go a solicitor - don't think that they are just being awkward, they'd be following your councils instructions. You should know as well that TS have no authority to order any builder to complete works or pay you damages, only a court can do this. TS officers have no automatic right of audience in a civil court either so can't represent you there - it's either yourself or a solicitor.

You should find out as much as possible about this builder and any assets he has. Is it a Ltd Co? How close was his quote to any others? Has he given any reason for the overruns in schedule and costs? Lots of other useful info given in other posters threads about how to deal with these cases.

That would explain why different people gave me various information about Trading Standards. I have already done some digging, he had little assets as it looks like as soon as he gets money in his company account he then transfers it out. He has a Ltd company and as I understand it you can only sue the company and not the person behind it unless he has committed fraud. I believe he has by only using some of the money I gave him on my property, whether a court sees it that way I'm not sure. Isn't this something the police would be interested in?

JohnnyJet

Had a day off work today so I was able to clear some of the mess from inside the house that the last builder left, looks a lot tidier inside, have the garden to sort out tomorrow. The current builder has been so good to us and we are paying him a reduced rate on a weekly basis, that is until the money dries up. Should still be able to get it watertight and have a couple of rooms to live in, not sure if we will be able to have a kitchen though, the units and appliances cost too much. Hoping to at least have a sink in the bathroom if nothing else. Oh don't think I have mentioned before but we have a sheet of hardboard as our front door, the last builder built the wall at the wrong angle so the door won't fit until the wall is replaced.

I feel a bit more positive about things today having been on site and been able to assist a little, just wish I knew how to do plumbing and electrics. As bad as I feel about the other builder getting away with it I think it is best if I just concentrate on getting the family back in the house, then I can look into actions that I can take towards that builder.

MatyMoo

Hi JJ

Another lurker from Mike's thread.

Glad to hear you sounding more positive today Although you can't do electrics or plumbing yourself there may be other jobs you could help with, preparation work and the navvying type stuff. Just depends how friendly your current builder is and if he is happy for you to help out. I am sure just keeping the site tidy will help him too.

If you can get running water, safe electrics and some sort of cooking facilities (Microwave, toaster, kettle, slow cooker) you should be able to camp in the house with a couple of rooms but it may still be tough with the little ones.

It isn't impossible to get a caravan in the back garden but would involve hiring a crane and driver for the day, no idea how much that would cost. And not sure if you would need planning permission.

Not sure if any of this will be helpful to you but will keep popping back to offer support even if it is only hugs!

MatyMoo

lisawaters

JohnnyJet wrote: »

Thanks, a caravan is not really an option as there is a skip on the driveway and no access to the rear of the property via a road. Nice idea and I would consider it if it were possible. I did genuinely consider a tent but all kids are under 6 so wouldn't be easy to contain them.

Not good with children that age.

Time to speak to the council or your MP ... tomorrow. You can't stay in denial about this.

JohnnyJet

MatyMoo wrote: »

Hi JJ

Another lurker from Mike's thread.

Glad to hear you sounding more positive today Although you can't do electrics or plumbing yourself there may be other jobs you could help with, preparation work and the navvying type stuff. Just depends how friendly your current builder is and if he is happy for you to help out. I am sure just keeping the site tidy will help him too.

If you can get running water, safe electrics and some sort of cooking facilities (Microwave, toaster, kettle, slow cooker) you should be able to camp in the house with a couple of rooms but it may still be tough with the little ones.

It isn't impossible to get a caravan in the back garden but would involve hiring a crane and driver for the day, no idea how much that would cost. And not sure if you would need planning permission.

Not sure if any of this will be helpful to you but will keep popping back to offer support even if it is only hugs!

MatyMoo

Yes been helping the builder with tidying up and a bit of cement mixing, I don't mind doing all the unskilled stuff. I would do more only I have a job to hold down so can only really get the odd day off.

A crane is out of the question, it would cost far too much to hire. I need every penny we have for the house. I am having to fork out £200 a month in storage fees so need to get a room finished as quickly as possible to save that cost.

JohnnyJet

Not sure things can get much worse now, outstayed our welcome due to kids waking up at 5 every morning so we are having to move again in 3 weeks. Can't afford to rent now so will be moving back into our house. The roof is still not watertight and the house is still completely empty with no floorboards, electric, plumbing etc. The spare money we had will be gone soon and the best we can hope for is 2 plasterboarded rooms with a sink, bath and toilet. Still no tiles on the roof.

lisawaters

Have you spoken to the council and social services? They probably wouldn't be happy with young children living under those conditions. Local paper?

Have you heard from Cowboy Builders or chased them?
Mike

SouthernBellE*

JohnnyJet wrote: »

Not sure things can get much worse now, outstayed our welcome due to kids waking up at 5 every morning so we are having to move again in 3 weeks. Can't afford to rent now so will be moving back into our house. The roof is still not watertight and the house is still completely empty with no floorboards, electric, plumbing etc. The spare money we had will be gone soon and the best we can hope for is 2 plasterboarded rooms with a sink, bath and toilet. Still no tiles on the roof.

:(Hi JJ, sorry hun, I promised I'd be here for support & feel like I let you down. You weren't forgotton.

You're plans haven't gone as well as you'd hoped. I know you said you wanted to get the roof and a couple of rooms sorted as moving the family back home was your main priority. In an ideal world, it was a good plan. Now things have gone haywire, you're left with no option but to move home when it's not habitable or safe! Sounds like lots of hazards for young children with floorboards missing etc.

Change of strategy is needed.

NOW as a matter of urgency, you need to look into all of Mikes suggestions. I know time is hard to find with everything else you have to cope with in a normal day but unless you have a lottery win, what other choice do you have but to make time, it won't be any easier to find once you've moved back home.

Cowboy Builders?
Local Papers?
Council?
Social Services?
Trading Standards?....Mike offered a contact there for you.
Local MP?

3 weeks and the clocks ticking, adjust your original plans to suit the situation. If you need help drafting letters, I was going to say I'll do it (I can try but never been very successful ) but I know a man who is! Mike can give you the best advice available, my virtual hugs and hobnobs will not help you and your family with improvements to your situation other than give you someone to vent at or a shoulder to cry on. I'm still around for that but you need practical advice and solutions if this situation is ever going to be sorted. PM Mike if you need more details of who or where to go or what you ought to say. He's offered his help here for you.

The photo diary you kept as a record, can they be uploaded and a link given so we can get a better idea of the conditions?

Still thinking of you all and wishing you the best but would prefer to be giving more practical advice to see things improve for you all.

Take care
SB
X