cowboy builder declared bankrupt-what now???

casey

Hi,
I have previously posted about my dodgy builder and have found out through my solicitor that he is bankrupt and so was told to lodge a claim with the official recievers.My problem is what do I claim for??
We paid him £23000 of a £28000 quotation (in stages) but job is not finished and work has not passed building regs.we will incur huge costs to rectify and finish. Windows etc not delivered.We have a separate receipt for money paid for decking that never appeared.

I have just been told that he was actually declared bankrupt 1 week before starting my job-listing himself as director surely this is not right.
I would be really grateful for any advise here about how to lodge a claim and for what
many thanks,
Casey

pcombo

Seems like your screwed.

Contact dominic littlewood and melinda messenger or channel5. Might get on cowboy builders.

texranger

their are many media shows about cowboy builders.

they set up as a ltd company (very cheap to do) as director they have a £1 share ( their liability) con people out of their money like you and then wind up the company and then just start again.
i can only guess bet you never made any payments out in the name of the ltd company.

omen666

texranger wrote: »

their are many media shows about cowboy builders.

they set up as a ltd company (very cheap to do) as director they have a £1 share ( their liability) con people out of their money like you and then wind up the company and then just start again.
i can only guess bet you never made any payments out in the name of the ltd company.

This .

molerat

Would an informal chat with the IS be the way to go, running up debts etc would likely lead to problems with his bankruptcy. I don't think the OR would be best pleased. Your claim would be the difference in value of work carried out from payments made I think. The problem he is going to have is that none of the merchants are going to give him credit, it is all going to be cash up front.

vax2002

the letters LTD are a warning not the sure mark of a good company.
A good one man builder is a sole trader, confident his work will pass the test of time in his own name.

unholyangel

Also worth noting that (afaik) when declared bankrupt, it only covers debts amassed up until that date. It does not cover future debts.

texranger

unholyangel wrote: »

Also worth noting that (afaik) when declared bankrupt, it only covers debts amassed up until that date. It does not cover future debts.

yes but once hes declared bankrupt he must declare all earnings to the appointed agent until the bankrupt order is clear.

unholyangel

texranger wrote: »

yes but once hes declared bankrupt he must declare all earnings to the appointed agent until the bankrupt order is clear.

Unless he's found a way around that? ie say the business is running at a loss or breaking even. My ex-employer used to break even on purpose. Although they're not a limited company but a society/association.

Might be worthwhile checking what it says on companies house about his company. As i've found out in the past week, companies do use Ltd after their name even if they're not a limited company.

casey

Hi,
Thanks to all who replied. This builder was not a ltd company but a sole trader who came with recommendations and a full contract. We were very careful to check him out as far as we could before employing him.
The fact remains that he was declared bankrupt one week before starting our extension then fleeced us and others before walking away.
I contacted consumer direct who have been really helpful and they passed my case to trading standards.A man rang me today saying he was interested in my case.He inferred that it is an offence to begin a contractual job if you know that you do not have the funds to see it through.????
I would still welcome advise about how to lodge a claim with O.R.

Any other suggestions gratefully received.
Many thanks,
Casey

omen666

vax2002 wrote: »

the letters LTD are a warning not the sure mark of a good company.
A good one man builder is a sole trader, confident his work will pass the test of time in his own name.

Thats got to be up there with the other advice sometimes given on here