Help regarding disappearing builder

thehullram

I am looking for some advice to the situation we currently find ourself in.

We were looking at extending our house by adding a dining room on the back of the house, I got 4 companies to quote, including 2 from rated people. After receiving quotes from all 4 I requested and received positive recommendations about our preferred builder.

Contracts were drawn up and signed by both parties and the work commenced. Throughout the build we were very happy with the work that was being completed and paid installments as and when required by the contract. On completion we paid the final installment and submitted our mist of minor snagging that needed to be fixed (1 scratched window, tidying of some grouting, adjusting the drainpipe outside).

This was on 4th August, the contract said that they had 3 months to put right and supply us with our building regulations, guarantees and finish the snagging. Despite numerous attemps at contacting him by phone, e-mail and letter I have been unable to get in touch with them and they have not responded to our requests.

I have spoken to building regs and they have been out on 4 occasions and are happy with the completed work, however, they need the electrical certificate before they will produce the documentation we need.

I have a number of questions that I need advice on:-

1. Is there anything we can do to force this company to comply with their contract?
2. Can I get an alternative electrician to test the works and provide a certificate?
3. Is their any other paperwork that I need to ensure when we sell the house we don't encounter any issues.

Thanks for any help you can provide

Matt

ormus

1. write to them giving them 14 days to comply. or face legal action to enforce the contract.
2. yes you can. finding one maybe a problem though.
3. i wouldnt worry too much about certificates when you come to sell the house.
ive never known any house sale to be lost because of certificate problems.
all the peeps i know who have bought/sold houses in the last 10 yrs have never been asked to supply any building certs of any kind.

macman

Why did you pay the balance before the final work was completed?

thehullram

I paid because the contract stated that we need to pay the balance on practical completion. As we had not had any bother at all with them I didn't question this at all. We even hired them to extend the kitchen units at the same time and did a great job.

McKneff

Was there not any 'retention' money written into the contract

thehullram

No there wasn't. First time I have done anything like that, won't do it again:mad: