Problem builders

RosiPossum

Aw my dad's first response was "these poor people have been ripped off".
As someone else said, there's a reason that they could start straight away.

Did anyone recommend the builder? If the architect has recommended them then they should have some responsibility.
Unfortunately my dad thinks that there probably won't be a good outcome from these builders The plans may have been poor, which may be why you have a rubbish door. Every single thing should have been written down - if the architect has forgotten to include something then it isn't priced for.

You should only pay for what has been done. So if they have only done 20%, they should only have been paid that amount. The architect my dad works with is paid by the customer who then pays my dad. They withhold a small percentage when the job is completed for 6 months in case of any issues, which my dad would then put right before being paid the final amount.

Did the architect oversee the building? If they were unhappy with the work they should have dealt with the builders at the time.

He did say in his opinion, it sounds like the builders are rubbish though.

babyblade41

thank you and your Dad.
Well builders didn't turn up as they left a message at 4.00pm saying"they were at a funeral and one thing led to another"
Sums them up pretty much really.


I have emailed them this evening as I feel everything should be in writing from here on in


I have told them that I will now get quotes for the repair work and when those quotes are in then I will forward them to all those concerned and then deduct this from the final invoice
However I think the amount to repair will cost more than the monies owed. I was an emotive build and not a cheap one at 93k plus architects fees of nearly 8k, I was hoping for a bit better than what I got

babyblade41

Mumlady
you are so right, I had an agenda for the meeting and was expecting them to sign it, however they did not turn up.


I'd like to follow your case with interest if possible
regards
Rachel

babyblade41

It's now becoming a nightmare :-(


Had an independent look at all the cracked render and he says there is no way it can be repaired it has to come off.


I contacted builders who said they want there own people to look at it which I said is fine.


However the other problems regarding the build is going badly as well.


They are stating that the leak I have coming from new external wall was there previously !!


They are also stating that I'm just being picky, that's a bit rich considering I have invoices to prove what I supplied.


Never again :-(

mumlady1

Hi Babyblade
I totally understand how stressful this is for you. Our cases are not the same but similar to a certain extent. If you want an update on our progress (or what advice we have been given) please feel free to pm me

babyblade41

Latest.

Meeting went ahead with their own renderer present and as we knew he couldn't deny we had major problems.

Roofer appeared as well and found the leak. 4 broken tiles and 2 cracked ones. He switched them around a bit then arranged to come on the saturday pm to fix all the roofing problems we had

I wrote up the minutes of the meeting first thing next day as everything was agreed. Result......... wrong, after staying in all Saturday afternoon no one showed.

I wrote an email saying how angry we were and a phone call would've gone a long way to appease the situation.

I wasn't prepared for the email I got stating that they feel they can't come back and work at the job due to the bad language and hostile atmosphere!!!!!
We shook hands with them after the meeting thinking we had made progress.

So now they have asked us to get the jobs done as long as they approve the quotes. That fell at the first hurdle as the their render said he could do the job for half the price that ours could.

They also want us to pay the final payment to them and they will pay the outside contractors that we arrange. I think they think I'm stupid.

"OK then if your renderer does the work then will he guarantee his work for 12 months" ??? "no" !! was the reply.

After trailing through forums and speaking to citizens advice we have decided to do the following.

Get quotes to get the job completed as per spec, using outside companies with quotes in writing and expected dates for doing them

Withhold the last payment and reduce it by the amount we have to pay A.N other to have what we had wanted originally.

We have written to them and told them the contract has now been broken. Just the 10 week build time is enough I think as we are now in week 22 and still in a mess with more to come
Also that when we have received the quotes and work is then completed we will pay the remainder in full.

We will disregard the retention period as if they will not finish the job I'm sure they won't come back in 3 months time to do the snagging list.

Our only problem is that we do not have the electric, gas and window certs and guarantees . Also the building inspector has not signed it off either.

Can he sign it off without the gas and electric safety certificates?

A few of the jobs can't be done as my elderly mum (to recap , the building is a granny annexe) has only one lung and the dust levels would be too much for her to take

mumlady1

Hi Babyblade
sorry it's taken me a wee while to catch up, my own builder problems have been taking a bit of time!!
What an absolute nightmare you're having. We're not quite so bad but I can still understand how stressful & frustrating this is for you.
To answer your last question, no, building control won't issue the completion certificate without them being in possession of the gas & electrical safety certificates.
It's good that you've spoken to Citizens Advice (I did too, and Trading Standards) but can I suggest you also speak to a lawyer? Check with your household insurance, you may have some legal cover with them. If not, are you or your husband members of any unions with work as you might have some legal cover there too.
Keep me posted & if you want to vent, feel free to pm me!

babyblade41

Well good morning and especially mumlady1.
Update: finally received an independent surveyors report and it wasn't good. Effectively the cost of putting everything right will be approx 20k and some more.
I received a certificate signed by the building inspector, but still not in receipt of any gas/electric/safety certificates.
My marriage as taken a big hit over this as it was one problem too many and the stress has hit hard on my health , again one stress too many.

I really am at a loss as to what to do next.
I have spent 800 plus vat for the surveyor already but I had to have it in writing what needed to be done.
The biggest upheaval will be having the rendering taken off and re-done , it has been re-done twice now by the builders.
More scaffolding and more mess.
I have spoken to a lawyer but the builders have nothing in their name as regards assets .

My question would be this: can I claim off the builders public liability insurance before going to court, as a court appearance will be costly and if they don't own anything then what's the point ?

Mumlady, if you are going through the same you have my wholehearted sympathies , this is a living nightmare