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Builder Disappeared without completing job

Bazman
Bazman Posts: 99 Forumite
Hi there,

I had a kitchen fitter in.

He has probably done 90% of the job and we were waiting for parts so I paid his in full (as it was not his fault the parts were late).

Now he has disappeared?

I still have his quote and its quite obvious what some of the work cited on the quote remains unfinished.

However I paid in cash? Is there any hope to persue his through the courts or trading standards?

Kind Regards

Baz

Comments

  • keystone
    keystone Posts: 10,916 Forumite
    Bazman wrote: »
    He has probably done 90% of the job and we were waiting for parts so I paid his in full (as it was not his fault the parts were late).
    Silly you.
    However I paid in cash? Is there any hope to persue his through the courts or trading standards?
    Have you got a receipted invoice?

    Cheers
    The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. - Einstein
  • Bazman
    Bazman Posts: 99 Forumite
    keystone wrote: »
    Silly you.

    I know kicking myself so hard. The first time I trust someone and this is what I get...

    Have you got a receipted invoice?

    Yes, but its just hand written list of what work was done (or in some cases supposed to be done) and the amount that was received for that work.

    Not signed or anything like that sadly but it is all in his hand writing?
  • Cash or cheque?
    Not Again
  • keystone
    keystone Posts: 10,916 Forumite
    Without a company name or sole trader information printed on it you are on a bit of a hiding to nothing. However, if he's his spurs jangled as he left the premises then TS might be interested but I'll bet the Inland Revenue would be even more interested. He was cheap wasn't he?

    Cheers
    The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. - Einstein
  • Bazman
    Bazman Posts: 99 Forumite
    Cash or cheque?

    cash I'm afraid! :-(
  • keystone
    keystone Posts: 10,916 Forumite
    Cash or cheque?
    Bazman wrote: »
    However I paid in cash?

    Uh - huh I see where this could be heading. Lets not have that argument again huh? Bad for relationships even if we don't really know one another from Adam apart from through here. :D

    Cheers
    The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. - Einstein
  • Bazman
    Bazman Posts: 99 Forumite
    keystone wrote: »
    Without a company name or sole trader information printed on it you are on a bit of a hiding to nothing. However, if he's his spurs jangled as he left the premises then TS might be interested but I'll bet the Inland Revenue would be even more interested. He was cheap wasn't he?

    Cheers


    Well I have the original quote that does have the company name on them. But yeah I feared as much.

    I can't prove anything to TS for the reasonas cited above?

    + I have no proof that he is not paying tax either?

    Yes he was the cheapest quote, although not massively cheaper than the other quotes? + he had already managed to sneak on a few extras!
  • keystone
    keystone Posts: 10,916 Forumite
    OK the. Well, armed with the original quote which does identify him and the "invoice" which not being numbered or with a company name on or printed contact details which almost certainly means it isn't going through his books and therefore, defrauding HMCR I would threaten him with a Trading Standards report. You don't need proof its not going through his books. A suspicion is well enough. If thats the case he'll be back like greased lightning I'll bet. Send him a signed4 letter (not a telephone call or an email) giving him a finite time to complete the work for which he has been paid. Don't be too aggressive though. He may have a very valid reasoin for disappearing like the dog or the wife died or something.

    Cheers
    The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. - Einstein
  • Bazman
    Bazman Posts: 99 Forumite
    keystone wrote: »
    OK the. Well, armed with the original quote which does identify him and the "invoice" which not being numbered or with a company name on or printed contact details which almost certainly means it isn't going through his books and therefore, defrauding HMCR I would threaten him with a Trading Standards report. You don't need proof its not going through his books. A suspicion is well enough. If thats the case he'll be back like greased lightning I'll bet. Send him a signed4 letter (not a telephone call or an email) giving him a finite time to complete the work for which he has been paid. Don't be too aggressive though. He may have a very valid reasoin for disappearing like the dog or the wife died or something.

    Cheers

    thanks keystone will do.
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