What can i do?

keyring1

Hey guys, new here, but i have a dilemma! (Sorry if this is in the wrong section)


So here goes;

I have a Hillman Imp as a project car, and it required a fair bit of welding. After searching for months, i finally found someone to do the work. I was told £700, and 5-6weeks, maybe even free if he was quiet! (I had a car show i wanted it ready for)

Two weeks into him having the car he hadn't even touched it, but assured me it would be done. Cut a long story short, i kept getting fobbed of with excuses, and finally got the car back about 3 months later, and at a cost of £1200:(
A month before the car was finished i told him i wanted it back, unfinished so that i could try and get it done for the car show(it was 2 weeks from when i asked for it back)
He told me it would be done, and that i wasn't getting it back, as he WAS finishing it.

Anyway, i went through to collect the car, and only his wife was there, he was away out, and due to the heavy rain, i didn't check it over, just chucked it on the trailer and of i went.
Once i had it home i looked over it, and the work was terrible, the welds are like lines of snot, he has missed parts out he was meant to have done, some panels don't line up, there is cuts into the a pillars that shouldn't be there(and are dangerous if nothing else!)

There was also a lot of filler applied to the car, which i've been taking off over the past few days, and all it has reveled is even more bad work, and shocking welds!

I have had friends round, and a qualified welder to look it over, and he has said the same that the work is unacceptable!

I got the car back at the end of August, and emailed him with my complains, but the reply he sent was a joke so didn't even reply, but after discovering more and more poor quality work, i feel i now HAVE to get some of my money back, due to the amount it's going to cost to get it put right.

The email i sent said

Going to be honest man, really not happy with some of the work that has been carried out on the car...

First of all the arches have dents on them, which were brand new panels with no marks on them. See picture 1 and 2.
The channel on the passenger side A pillar goes off at an angle. See picture 3
There is a huge panel gap on the passenger side between the door and the new scuttle panel. See picture 4.
The welds on the passenger sill have not been ground back. See picture 5.
The rear crossmember no longer fits in, meaning i can't put the engine in, going to have to be pushed out using one of those chassis repair rams. See picture 6
Half of the lip along the bonnet is still rusty/rotten. See picture 7.
There is a few places that have been cut into while cutting out old metal, but have not been welded up, been advised this is dangerous since it's on the A pillars. See pic 8,9,10. And one under the bonnet on the scuttle lip, see picture 11.
You said you were going to flatten straighten out the front panel, you only seem to have put filler on the flat bit, and straightened the chassis leg abit, not touched the bottom of the panel. See picture picture 12.
The scuttle panel on the passenger side is about 10mil higher than the bonnet, which it's not on the drivers side. See picture 13.
On the drivers side, you have ground back the sill, but missed a bit that needs repaired. See picture 14

Also, i don't know where any of the nuts/screws/bolts go for the dash board, or any other parts that were un done go as they were all just left in a dish?

Because of this, i'm going to have ask for the money back so i can put it into a body shop to get repaired... I have had some opinions on the work done, and they also feel it should be booked into a body shop.

Ciaran

I got a reply

In reply to your email..

Arches, yes they were new but extremely bad fitting. Small dent caused by making both inner and outer fit, needs filled.
A pillar, cant see it. ?
Gap on passenger side. There is a big difference in the gaps on both sides, prob. to do with front end damage.
Welds not ground, if they need grounded not a prob.
Rear cross member not fitting ? I did not alter anything there.
The front A pillars have a substantial metal piller which is welded, what you see is the metal trim.
I did flatten panel, look closer, bottom section needs a new air box.
Scuttle panel, need to see it again.
Missed a bit ? need to see it.
Dashboard is left off cause you need to paint the car, thought it would be easier, there only 5 screws holding it, anybody could fit it.

These are all small problems that can be easily dealt with, you, and your dad visited my place several times, and praised my work ?? I asked you to come and inspect it before delivery which you did.?? This was an extremely rusty old imp with big front end damage, which extends over to the drivers side. To repair this would involve removing the air box and making a new one.
I have never had any problems with any work i have ever done on any car.. whether it be mechanical or body, this is a first for me..
I offered to come up take care of any problems in my last email. I now feel the issue is not me or the car, but you realise how much work is still left to finish it.

In addition to this there was a considerable of body filler on both sides of the car, which was not known to me, the Imp had been damaged on both sides.

During the time the car was here many people watched the car progress, among them, car body builders, I talked to them at length about your car and they saw and approved the work I had done. At the end as you know i had it inspected by two seperate welders.
I worked more hours on this car than i want to remember, you know this. If you where not happy with any part of it you had plenty of chances to speak up about any problems. I even said to you about the dashboard being left off, and you were fine with that.
There is clearly more to this than just the job, family issues, money, i dont know, BUT i will make good any of the small repairs needed.
I suggest you return the car to me, with a proper list, and we will talk about any work needing done.

Now yes, he did offer to fix any small problems, but it's the bigger problems i want fixed, and since that email, like i say i have took all the filler off, and the work gets worse and worse. Combined with the fact, i don't want him working on the car again, after the state the first time round.

The question is, what can i do? I'm not sure if he is a registered business as it was all done in his back garden, cash in hand. Is there anything that can be done even if he isn't a trader?
I just want some money back so i can get it sorted properly!

Regards,
Ciaran

keyring1

Anyone able to help?:)

texranger

you have to give him the chance to correct any problems

NCISROCKS

Cash in hand job you say...no receipt/proof? If not you have to sweet talk him into doing a better repair job I'd say.

arcon5

NCISROCKS wrote: »

Cash in hand job you say...no receipt/proof? If not you have to sweet talk him into doing a better repair job I'd say.

his email correspondance would act as proof the work was done

keyring1

texranger wrote: »

you have to give him the chance to correct any problems

Not any way round it if i don't want him working on the car again? The standard was so poor the last time, i don't want anymore work done by him. Like i say, some of it is more unsafe than anything

bb999

You say you searched for months before finding this guy. How did you find him? Was he recommended? Did you see / hear of any of his previous work?
These vintage repairs can be a nightmare - very time consuming and therefore very expensive - I know because I get involved with a lot of vintage engine repairs and it is frightening how the bills add up.

Did you get anything in writing as to what work you were having done?, or did you give any written instructioins as to what you wanted? If not, it is very difficult to prove who is in the right.

The guy has offered to correct any faults, & I suggest you give him the opportunity. If you don't want to have to see him, send your Dad again.

Is it true that you / your Dad praised the work as it was ongoing?

I'll be honest with you, and please don't take offence. From the information I have seen, it does look very much like you have realised that your little project is going to cost £000's to complete (they always do) and you are worried. Be honest with yourself - are you trying to pick faults in his workmanship because you thought the car would be virtually complete when back from welding?

Again, sorry if I seem to be having a go at you, but I have seen similar situations so often!