How do I get the work finished?

pension-newbie

We had an extension built last year. The job started well, but ended frustratingly mainly due to the electrician subcontracted who did everything terribly and was shockingly behaved. Now we love the extension, but these unfinished jobs are nagging away at me (and so is the Mrs)

At the end (last June) the job was finished with a few small things outstanding. We wanted to get on with sorting our life out after 6 months of hell so at the end of June we paid the final bill (with a nice chunk deducted for the hassle) but with three pieces of work left (and a clear agreement they would be done (I know I know:o:o). These were
* installing some boards above a part garage conversion so I could use the room for space
* fitting a shower screen
* refitting lights which were badly installed

So not a big deal, but clearly he hasn't done them. I'm not that handy and we have had a lot of domestic stresses (DS2 & OH illness my threat of redundancy) so they have drifted and do spoil our enjoyment a little bit.

I had a think and I decided I am bu**ered if I'm going to let him get away, but all the letters and calls don't buy any action. So how can I force this

My only other worry, is I haven't seen any formal building regs compliance paperwork and don't know if that is normal or just his being lazy

Any help gratefully received - if I am going to go into battle I would like to waste as little time as possible

phill99

So you are saying that you paid the final bill but this was reduced to reflect the problems you have had?

If you effectively have 'monies on retention' you would be better off ignoring the original builder and getting someone else in to undertake the works. The guy obviously doesn't want to undertake the works so its alaost pointless trying to make them do it.

You could go down the legal route but that is long and uncertain. Just put it down to experience and get it done by someone else.

In terms of Building Regs, you would be as wise to call them on monday to identify if they have any record of your extension and just deal with them directly.

keystone

Phils correct but there is one small step I'd inject first. That is to write him another letter sent by recorded (signed4) delivery giving him a finite but reasonable time (say 2 weeks) to complete the works contracted to him. Tell him that if he fails to comply then you consider your contractual obligations discharged.

If he turns up and does the work well and good. If he doesn't then you are free to proceed as Phil suggests IMO.

Cheers

pension-newbie

thank you - i suspected as much. i understand i was a bit naive not to hold any money back against the promise, but it did seem by clearing the decks as it were i got a bit more off the bill for the electricianns problems

wrt building regs - I will contact them in the morning - should i be worried that they may ask for more work

tbh i'm pretty skint at the moment so that could be a challenge

pension-newbie

here goes - will start my perhaps fruitless chase now with a call to building regs