Let down by tradesman ... where to go from here?

foolishboy

Will try to keep this short:

- Chose a firm to do some work to the exterior of the house. Strip and re-paint all woodwork. Soffits, fascias, windows, doors etc.. Accepted quote and booked date back in April for them to start first week of September

- They start pretty much as agreed and do approx. 2 weeks work, most of the house is stripped but very little fresh paint is on. I'm informed by the team that they've been let go and work stops.

- Takes me a couple of days to get hold of the boss of the firm, he's changed his number it seems. He came over tonight to discuss, but I suspect primarily to collect tools.

- He tells me that the work to date isn't acceptable (I hadn't really looked all that closely but he's right) and while feeling terrible about the whole thing he cannot commit to finishing the job.

So, I'm left with a house in a MUCH worse state than it was before and nobody to complete the work. It's mid August and I'm seriously concerned about finding anyone to do the work before the weather turns and at a reasonable costs as they'll know darn well I'm in a corner.

On the plus side, I've not paid the firm a penny, nor have they asked for anything.

So, where do I stand? The house is worse than before, I need to get another person in to finish (what happens if it costs more than the original quote?) and that's if I can find anyone at all.

Opinions please!
Cheers,
FB

marliepanda

Just for my own sanity, did you mean they were booked the first 2 weeks of August? or did this take place in September last year?

I would get the quote and see first. They have done some work, so surely that work of stripping should no longer be required so you would *fingers crossed* get a cheaper quote.

If the firm has no money and is letting staff go, not sure what you think you might get. So far you've had 2 weeks free work so that might be all you get. you say its not up to standard work, but you only noticed that when it was pointed out. it might not be perfectly stripped but clearly they haven't taken chunks out of your house, so someone should be able to finish the stripping and do the rest for you at at least a similar cost, hopefully, to the original quote.

foolishboy

marliepanda wrote: »

Just for my own sanity, did you mean they were booked the first 2 weeks of August? or did this take place in September last year?

I would get the quote and see first. They have done some work, so surely that work of stripping should no longer be required so you would *fingers crossed* get a cheaper quote.

If the firm has no money and is letting staff go, not sure what you think you might get. So far you've had 2 weeks free work so that might be all you get. you say its not up to standard work, but you only noticed that when it was pointed out. it might not be perfectly stripped but clearly they haven't taken chunks out of your house, so someone should be able to finish the stripping and do the rest for you at at least a similar cost, hopefully, to the original quote.

Doh! Yes, August :-)

Stripping has been done so poorly it seems I doubt that but that is of course my hope also.

I've barely been home in daylight hours and not been up on ladders so no I did not realise it was shoddy until properly inspected.

As for the 'free' work I'm finding it hard to celebrate right now to be honest, the place is a state, but I certainly hope you're right.

Cheers,
FB

marliepanda

foolishboy wrote: »

Doh! Yes, August :-)

Stripping has been done so poorly it seems I doubt that but that is of course my hope also.

I've barely been home in daylight hours and not been up on ladders so no I did not realise it was shoddy until properly inspected.

As for the 'free' work I'm finding it hard to celebrate right now to be honest, the place is a state, but I certainly hope you're right.

Cheers,
FB

All I'm thinking is if indeed they are going broke you're unlikely to get any money out of them. If it did go to court the judge is going to see that basically you didn't pay anything and did get something (however rubbish, I think as long as they didnt damage your house it would be classed as 'ok)

I would just be insanely happy that I hadnt paid them anything and hope for the best with the new quotes. This could have ended so differently if you had paid money upfront

foolishboy

marliepanda wrote: »

All I'm thinking is if indeed they are going broke you're unlikely to get any money out of them. If it did go to court the judge is going to see that basically you didn't pay anything and did get something (however rubbish, I think as long as they didnt damage your house it would be classed as 'ok)

I would just be insanely happy that I hadnt paid them anything and hope for the best with the new quotes. This could have ended so differently if you had paid money upfront

Well technically it is 'damaged' as it's worse than when they started but I take your point. I'm not looking to make any money here, just wish they'd done the job!

...I am indeed VERY happy I didn't pay anything up front

marliepanda

foolishboy wrote: »

Well technically it is 'damaged' as it's worse than when they started but I take your point. I'm not looking to make any money here, just wish they'd done the job!

...I am indeed VERY happy I didn't pay anything up front

I guess I mean damaged as in they havent knocked any walls down, or caused damage to the point that someone else will need to fix the damage as well as doing the original job. It was necessary damage' to sorta get the ball rolling on the job.

Get the quotes and then start worrying about it from there. Did these guys have good reviews/recommendations?

arcon5

You've got to crack an egg to make an omelette, of course it may well look a mess now they've got a couple weeks in to it, get some new tradesman in to quote, it may not be as bad as you think