Parents need to retire but the builder is keeping them

Konrat

I'm really desperate about this and hope someone can help me on this situation. I apologise for the length of this story but need to do something quickly.

My parents work in a job that requires a lot of mechanical effort. They've been doing it for years but have got to the extent where the work is starting to affect their health and I know that they can't go on without their health deteriorating further.

Anyway, about 3 years ago, the parents decided they had enough money to redecorate and add extensions to the home they live in. We got a builder which we thought we could trust since they had done several other friends' houses with good results. As you can probably guess, it's been three years and they still have not finished renovating the home. (The extension has been done, but the interiors have not been finished after a 2 years of starting the inside and I must say, the house isn't that big at all so really it should be done about now).

The problem is, we can still get in contact with the builder who will just move a small inch with the progress of the house before stopping completely. Since I am not around my parents for most of the time, I am unable to help them with chasing up the builder but it is getting ridiculous; the builder hasn't stopped COMPLETELY, but will not start work unless you call him and even then, he only maybe paints one wall or fits one cupboard before leaving you to phone and chase up again.

I don't know where I stand legally with this, but had considered getting legal help for my parents as they are currently waiting to retire but don't want to do so before the house is finished (as they will be left with an incomplete house and a lot of heartache). They currently rent a flat and are paying quite a bit for it each month already and we are very much desperate to get things moving. I am afraid that if I don't do something, they will become permanently disabled from working too much when they should be retiring and left without a proper home.

Unfortunately, they also have no source of income once they retire as I have not started working yet, but will hope to bring some money in after I graduate in another 3 years.

Please help.. what should I do?

louise_1981

Sorry about your parents position. I can not offer any real advice, I am sure there are others on here who are much more informed than I. I would suggest you get in contact with your local trading standards, as you have pointed out it should not have taken this long. He obviously does not see them as a priority

Information which might be required by others to give a more informed opinion would be

did your parents and the builder agree on a time scale. e.g. how long it would take.

Is he registered with the master traders (or something like that), they can have a word and see what is going on (I think)

Biggy, did your parents pay before this started, as they were going along, or payment on completion (which from the situation, I doubt)

andyrules

Hi
I'm sorry as well to hear this. We had similar experience with a builder, and 15 years later are still finding the 'hidden' mistakes he made either through incompetence or laziness.

I would reiterate everything louise has asked. I think maybe they should consider cutting their ties with him and finding someone willing to finish the job. of course that depends on payment, and I don't know where your parents stand here. I've put in a link to the building part of Consumer Direct, and would certainly ring them as soon as possible for advice.

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/goods-service/improvements/index.shtml

Has the local building inspector been yet to examine the work? If not, maybe that department can offer some guidance. I found our local department by typing in the council and then building into the search.

Hopefully, there will be an expert along soon who can help you much more.

Please tell your parents to try not to despair, I think that once they start some action the job sounds like it could be finished quite quickly.

Just an added thought, do they have a legal addition to their household insurance, they may be able to get access to free legal advice. I'm sure this is a regular one. Sometimes there's a 24 hour helpline. Worth checking.

HTH

Konrat

louise_1981 wrote:

Sorry about your parents position. I can not offer any real advice, I am sure there are others on here who are much more informed than I. I would suggest you get in contact with your local trading standards, as you have pointed out it should not have taken this long. He obviously does not see them as a priority

Information which might be required by others to give a more informed opinion would be

did your parents and the builder agree on a time scale. e.g. how long it would take.

Is he registered with the master traders (or something like that), they can have a word and see what is going on (I think)

Biggy, did your parents pay before this started, as they were going along, or payment on completion (which from the situation, I doubt)

Yes, sorry for not being thorough beforehand.

They have paid the larger share of the money needed to get the job done (which is actually quite a lot in the tens of thousands) and it was arranged that the latter part will be paid on completion. We did not agree on a timescale (didn't think it'd be an issue) but we did get a recording of what is to be done from the builder as a kind of guarantee.

Not sure if the builder is registered with the master traders. How do I find out?

We get the feeling that the builder is simply tailing us along but plans to get the job done (or he would just completely ignore us and move on). He maybe has other (better paid, more important?) projects in mind.

Konrat

andyrules wrote:

Has the local building inspector been yet to examine the work? If not, maybe that department can offer some guidance. I found our local department by typing in the council and then building into the search.

Hopefully, there will be an expert along soon who can help you much more.

Please tell your parents to try not to despair, I think that once they start some action the job sounds like it could be finished quite quickly.

Just an added thought, do they have a legal addition to their household insurance, they may be able to get access to free legal advice. I'm sure this is a regular one. Sometimes there's a 24 hour helpline. Worth checking.

HTH

I wasn't even aware that the local building inspector should be examining his work! How do I get in touch with one? Surely s/he won't come unless the building is complete?

I think we still have household insurance. I'll try and see if we can get legal advice off that.

Thanks muchly for both your replies. It's a start :j

andyrules

Hi
As far as I know they need to inspect at certain stages. i didn't know this either (but you can bet the builder does!!) and the BI turned up as he was driving past and saw work under way. We had to remove the new plaster from the RSJ we'd had installed so he could inspect it. You should ring your local council and ask.

I had a feeling that a lot of money would have already been paid, do you know if the work is up to that amount or does the builder owe you? This is why I feel you need professional and specific advice. I would be tempted to recover the outstanding money and look for another builder, but I'm aware that is easier said than done.

If your builder is registered with master traders (which doesn't sound like it)he will probably have a logo on his advert or van. Here is a link to the master builder site, you might get some help there.

http://www.fmb.org.uk/memserv/index.asp

Hopefully, someone will be here soon to give you additional advice. I'm not sure that the vent board is going to get you the best exposure for the information you need, but I can't think which would be best. Maybe a nice board person will come along...

HTH

elsien

If they can show that the builder is being unreasonable, not sticking to original contract, could they get another builder in to finish the job then sue through the small claims court. CAB or trading standards may be able to advise on this.
Even if they don't want to go down this route, the threat of it may be enough to get the builder moving. Sound to me like he's really taking advantage of them not chasing him, and needs a good boot up the backside so he starts taking them seriously.
If you know what other jobs he's working on, perhaps turning up there and letting his other clients know he's mr. unreliable will get him moving - or do you think that would make it worse?

maninthestreet

Your parents need to write a letter to the builder telling him that 'time is now the essence of the contract', setting a reasonable deadline by which the contracted work should be completed. If the builder fails to meet that deadline, he will be considered in breach of contract.

Konrat

So.. I've decided to type up a rather unprofessional (but should hold up in the courts) letter to the builder giving an ultimatum of either completing the work by a certain time or refunding my money so that we could go seek another builder by a certain time. (Thanks for that idea, maninthestreet) Is there anything else I should add/know before I give this letter to him?

Also, have meant to contact the CAB or some other more professional body for advice but have not yet found the time to do soo and they will probably advise in the same way.

andyrules

Do contact CAB, or Consumer Direct (or both), they should be able to give you some support with your letter. You can usually do this by phone. I would get all this before you do your letter.
Good luck