Being hassled for money - job unfinshed! Help!

kookieangel

Got some new double glazing in Easter - had problems with the firm, but nothing too major at first. Then patterned glass broke, they had to return to refit, but took a couple of weeks - they didn't turn up to one but declined to tell us it was because they'd broken the glass etc.
Turned out the tilt/turn window had wrong mechanism and was fit upside down, so in our bathroom can't have it open as the world can see us! They said they'd order the parts and refit - be in touch. We chased them, they kept saying they'd fit and didn't - they asked for balance of payment, so we paid but in agreement with them, held back £100 as the job was unfinished.
Then, heard absolutely nothing until this last fortnight when they've started bombarding us with letters demanding the balance, even though the job still remains unfinished. We've had numerous conversations with them- each ending with them promising to be in touch, but then us having to chase. Today's installment - they promised faithfully they'd get someone out tomorrow and no surprise, they're now backing out. My Husband has declined work for tomorrow now and as such gets no pay.
We're at a loss at what to do - does anyone have any pointers on where to take this? They harped on about an ombudsman scheme they're part of, but how do we approach this? It's costing us income, time on numerous phonecalls and now stress at the fact it's not ever getting sorted but they clearly want our cash!

Any advice gratefully received - so sorry for the diatribe!!

Elsewhere

I'd write to them with a deadline - say a month (since Christmas is upon us, else I'd suggest a couple of weeks) to finish the work

Tell them if it's not done you'll get someone else in to finish the work and send them the bill, plus some extra for your expenses, less the £100.

arcon5

Yes, as above, send them a letter by registered post telling them what you want done and by when and state if they fail to do so you wil have the job completed by somebody else and they will be liable for any costs above the £100 not yet paid.

WhiteHorse

You can also threaten them with a County Court action requesting that the contract be performed.

arcon5

WhiteHorse wrote: »

You can also threaten them with a County Court action requesting that the contract be performed.

how and what exactly will op sure for? the small claims court would need a monetary value applied, not just 'fulfil the contract'. So at the very least quotes to complete the work.

Kew2u

Go to the Town Hall and talk to your local Trading Standards Officer....Do it now!

vuvuzela

Kew2u wrote: »

Go to the Town Hall and talk to your local Trading Standards Officer....Do it now!

Or wait until business hours tomorrow when it's more likely to be open

kookieangel

Have written a letter - so annoyed by the whole thing! Thank you to all for the advice above! Will see how it goes from here. It's just so sad that a simple job has dragged on for so long. Can't abide needlessly bad customer service!

unholyangel

Get a few quotes from other companies on how much it will cost to put right and send copies of these with your letter. As above, mention they are in breach of contract, how they are in breach and what you want done to fix it......then go on to say you have taken the liberty to get quotes from other companies and should they fail to rectify the breach within time stated (think someone said a month with holidays coming up), you will be starting legal proceedings for the lowest quote - the £100 you still owe plus any other quantifiable loss you have suffered.

Oopsadaisy

First rule...NEVER EVER PAY ANY FIRM FOR A JOB UNTIL IT IS FINISHED [and yes I was shouting, lol!!!].

As an alternative pay some, but make sure you hold back enough that they will come back and finish the job. Unfortunately in your case £100 is nowhere near enough to get them to come back and finish it.

As suggested, send a letter setting out the issues and giving them a timescale and consequences.

Then if they fail, issue court papers [piece of cake online] [assuming they are worth suing].