Disclosure of Information/Subpoena a building contractor

andyuk2005

Hi all!


Quick question (I ranted for a bit below, here is the short of it!):

How can I demand information and hurry them up regarding paperwork for construction work at my house, information such as;
guarantees, certificates from building control, costs which should be applied to me, etc.

On paper at the moment, I am yet to pay all that I owe them, however they have made so many mistakes and cost me so much money (through missed work days, surveyors etc) that I believe they now owe me money!

The rest of it!:

I have had a building contractor do a loft extension for me at my home. The work is pretty much finished (although there has been so many mistakes, I'll likely be taking them to court!).

The company has been utterly useless when it comes to doing the paper work, mainly through lack of actually getting around to it, rather than keeping records of it. It is supposed to be a professional company, it just seems they're so busy it's difficult to get it all finished!

I have been waiting months now, and reminding them at least once a week, that I want to the paper work and the settling of the account to be finished.

The paper work would include guarantees for things like the works, electrics, building control certificates etc. Also, I know the is some outstanding payments and CVOs which we haven't paid, but I know some of these won't apply as there have been mistakes.


I would have thought I could serve them notice through a LBA that if they don't provide the necessary information in a reasonable time, then I will have to estimate their costs or I will take them to a small claims court to demand the information at their cost?? Would a small claims court be the way to go, or is that simply for monetary cases?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks,

Andy

bris

They will be holding the paperwork until everything is settled and the job is complete, particularly you paying any outstanding balance.

If you are in dispute with them, which it sounds like you are, then they will not release the final documents until it's resolved. Once it's signed off they will have nothing in their favour for you to pay the outstanding monies due, which you admit you do owe so it's not in their best interests to give you final documents.

A small claims court may be the way to go but be careful as they are likely to counter sue and because this could be potentially a very complex case they could ask the courts to refer it to another court, and that could get very expensive.