Getting money back from builder who has moved...?

rokx

I wrote a thread a few weeks back about a builder who I paid a deposit for materials, who then didn't do the job and avoided me. They eventually said they would send a refund, but didn't. 14 days ago I sent a "Letter Before Action" and didn't get any response.

Today I thought I would go round to the house to give them one last chance to pay before going to the small claims court.

Noone answered and a neighbour happened to be out so I asked them if they still lived there and she said that a couple with a baby (this matches my builder's description) had recently moved out and someone else had moved in :mad:

I really don't want to let them get away with this, but is there anything else I can actually do? I have no idea where they have moved to... Is there a way I can trace them? I have thought about popping by again and seeing if the new people have a forwarding address, but failing that...?

The only other way I can think of is to wait until the next electoral role and trace them through that. Might give them a bit of a shock if they got a court letter through then, thinking they had stolen my money and got away with it! But is there a time limit on small claims?

Any suggestions welcome Feeling very annoyed

InsideInsurance

Time limit on any contract claims, excluding for personal injury, is 6 years from the date of knowing (ie when you became aware of the breach of contract) and so you have plenty of time before it becomes statute barred.

There are ways of tracing people, depending on how much they are trying to fly below radar. On the basis the house occupant changed fairly quickly is it a rented property? A landlord may also be another source of a forwarding address. Neighbours as you've already found out can be good too.

pinkshoes

Has he not updated his trade address?

I think I'd go ask the new tenants and if they don't have a forwarding address, then ask who the estate agent or landlord is, who might be able to help!

Perhaps say you owe HIM money as people might be more likely to give you a forwarding address!

arcon5

Aren't addresses shown on a persons credit file? If so check in a month or so as last resort to see if it's been updated.

Do you still have the number or business name? Maybe phone pretending to be a prospective customer. Then follow him.

antrobus

rokx wrote: »

...Any suggestions welcome Feeling very annoyed

Google 'tracing agent'. There is an entire industry out there devoted to finding people. No trace no fee is pretty common as well.

rokx

Thanks for your suggestions! Luckily for me, the builder did something very silly and briefly published his new address online before taking it down an hour later. I just so happened to be looking and got a screenshot, so I didn't really have to do anything at all to find him :rotfl:

Trading Standards also seem quite interested, so fingers crossed I get him into some trouble even if I don't manage to get my money back!