Deposit paid for Services

chezwylde

We recently employed an electrician to do some work on our house. We had hired him once before and didn't forsee any problems when he asked for a 50% deposit (£305) prior to starting for materials.

We agreed he would start on the Wednesday (16th), he never showed. I texted him and he said he was waiting for materials. Since then we haven't had any communication and he doesn't answer the phone or respond to texts / emails.

The money was paid by BACS transfer.

Can anyone advise on our rights and what course of action we should take?

Many thanks

unholyangel

What sort of trader is he? Sole trader? Ltd company?

Do you have an address for him?

chezwylde

He is a sole trader, originally found through mybuilder.com
Yes we have address details

unholyangel

chezwylde wrote: »

He is a sole trader, originally found through mybuilder.com
Yes we have address details

What kind of work are we talking here? What was agreed with the sparky? Was there a time frame put on performance/completion?

If he is a sole trader and you do have his address, theres a possible chance of getting your money back.

Do you know if he is accepting work from other people? Is it possible he's in hospital or had an emergency of some kind that has taken him away from work? Keep in mind bank holidays and its only been 4 working days. I wouldnt panic just yet

bod1467

unholyangel wrote: »

Keep in mind bank holidays and its only been 4 working days

past the agreed start date. OP doesn't say when they paid by BACS, so we don't know how long the sparky has had their money.

unholyangel

bod1467 wrote: »

past the agreed start date. OP doesn't say when they paid by BACS, so we don't know how long the sparky has had their money.

Yes but I wasnt posting as to how long he's had the money. I was posting in regards to how long its been since the breach took place :P

However, unprofessional not to contact them (or ask someone to contact his clients) if something has happened that rendered him incapable of working.

Bantex_2

Have you been to his house yet?

chezwylde

The money was paid a week before the start date. He did respond once by text on the day he was supposed to start after we chased him, stating he was waiting for materials and would be there the following day. Since then no response to phone calls, texts , emails. I would have thought if there had been emergency he would have said when I chased him initially.

Haven't been to his house yet but thinking this would be our next step.

The work was to put electrics into our shed and garage (since done by another electrician as we were in the middle of paving so the cables needed putting in).

I would have thought that this may be a criminal matter - fraud maybe? Taking monies with no intention of doing the work?

Bantex_2

chezwylde wrote: »

The money was paid a week before the start date. He did respond once by text on the day he was supposed to start after we chased him, stating he was waiting for materials and would be there the following day. Since then no response to phone calls, texts , emails. I would have thought if there had been emergency he would have said when I chased him initially.

Haven't been to his house yet but thinking this would be our next step.

The work was to put electrics into our shed and garage (since done by another electrician as we were in the middle of paving so the cables needed putting in).

I would have thought that this may be a criminal matter - fraud maybe? Taking monies with no intention of doing the work?

He may have electrocuted himself.

neilmcl

chezwylde wrote: »

I would have thought that this may be a criminal matter - fraud maybe? Taking monies with no intention of doing the work?

Why not find out the facts first before accusing him of fraud. For all you know he may well be ill in hospital or otherwise incapacitated.

chezwylde

It seems odd to reply to the first message when he didn't show with "waiting for materials" and then not to respond to anything else. In the first instance he should have communicated with us, rather than us having to chase him when he didn't show up. It all seems very fishy. Apparently he is an alcoholic so I suspect he has fallen off the wagon. We obviously want our money back, pref without having to go banging on his door and potentially bringing a load of trouble to our door