Builder has walked away from unfinished job!

jmcm

Some friends have been having a kitchen extension. Unfortunately for them, they paid most of what was due before the work was completed. The builder has just sent them a letter saying that he has done all the work that he can with the money paid and that he does not intend to do anymore. They are left with a unfinished shell with no windows or woodwork having paid a lot of money out. Apparently it will cost £20K to finish! A solicitor says that it will cost thousands to pursue the builder in the courts. Is there anything that they can do?

By the way, if you live near to Sutton Coldfield and are considering building work then let me know and I can give further info to help your 'decision making' when choosing your builder.

BobProperty

What was agreed in the first place and is there any way of proving it? What does the letter off the builder (at least he can write, that's a start) say about why it is not being worked on any more? Where does the £20k figure come from? The only statement I can agree with, is that the solicitor is correct in that it will cost £1000's to take the case to court. What they didn't say is that nearly all of that is solicitor's and barrister's fees, as if the £20k is correct, it will require a high court hearing IMHO. They might want paying up front, too. If you got judgement for your friends, has the builder any money to pay up with anyway?

plumb1_2

BobProperty wrote:

Where does the £20k figure come from?

Maybe a £15k kitchen? If they have the shell even £5k to finnish the windows, walls, floor is more than enough.

v0n

Small claims cost about £30 if they can represent themselves

BobProperty

v0n wrote:

Small claims cost about £30 if they can represent themselves

£20k isn't a "small claim", hence my previous comments. £20k would be "multi-track" and involves a whole lot more than a small claim. See http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/claims/fastmulti/index.htm

Optimist

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