Advice on dealing with builder

kelloggs36

Did you sign a contract with him? JCT contract for homeowners without somebody overseeing the work is a common one.

I would argue about the carpet as it isn't fitted to the correct standard.

The usual thing is to hold a retainer of 5% of the cost of the work until 3 months have passed which gives time for potential problems to come to light. He has the choice whether to make good the jobs and get paid the final 5% or to forgoe it and let somebody else do the job and get paid instead.

You could threaten to take him to small claims court but there is a risk because of the cash in hand bit but this may influence his decision as both of you could be in trouble for this if he has not put it through the books or is VAT registered.

Avoriaz

Tom_Jones wrote:

…Avoriaz how can you say the builder is an 'unprofessional cowboy' have you seen the work ? and where does it mention he's working for 'cash in hand ? ….

Tom, you appear to have some reading and comprehension difficulty.

I wrote, “…Your builder appears to be an unprofessional cowboy. He is doing shoddy work for cash in hand……”

I did not say he was a cowboy, I said “he appeared to be a cowboy” and I think that is not an unreasonable assumption from KTJ’s post.

The third last sentence in KTJ’s post reads “One problem may be that its cash in hand.” What else could that mean but that the builder is working for cash?

Shoddy work + cash in hand suggests cowboy to me. Maybe you are more trusting.:rotfl:

Avoriaz

kelloggs36 wrote:

… because of the cash in hand bit but this may influence his decision as both of you could be in trouble for this if he has not put it through the books or is VAT registered.

I doubt if KTJ is doing nothing wrong by paying cash in hand. Cash is a perfectly legal way to pay for goods and services. It is the builders responsibility to declare his earnings.

This would only be a crime or offence if he/she actively colluded with the builder by paying cash in order to deceive the tax authorities.

kelloggs36

Exactly and only the builder knows that so it may influence his decision!

kathyd_2

How did your meeting go KTJ?

KTJ_2

Well...it went ok. He agreed to not to charge me for the carpet although I am out of pocket as the carpet I bought will need to be chucked. He agreed to knock off £20 from the bath panel and also said he'll be sending someone round to finish off the work that wasnt finished correctly.

I still feel I paying more than was orginally discussed but im glad a compromise was made.