Extension really badly finished - builder threatening court action

baldelectrician

dirtyepic

Hope all goes well for your court case.

I have been at the poor end of a dodgy builder (working as a subby) and this guy slept with the wife of the client and caused them to divorce.
There is always someone worse off than yourself.

What I am saying is try to be positive- remeber what goes around comes around.

As for the court, make notes and refer to them. Try and have a list of events and refer to all paperwork in chronoligial order. This will help you to prove a flow of events.

Sit, relax and be calm. Remeber the magistrate will try and put you at ease.
Answer clearly and in a consice manner.

ps good luck

McKneff

good luck for tomorrow - we're all rooting for you

misgrace

Keeping my fingers crossed.:D


I have been watching a couple of episodes of the 'building program' I didnt like the man showed this week, too bl00dy arrogant by half, however, in fairness we are only seeing what is edited, so you only get part of the story, but it always seems in the couple programs I have watched, it comes down to money, and the customer changing thier minds, or adding extras, which will add on more time.

I too have seen both sides, as I am a tradeswoman, and have worked alongside other trades, and in the last few months on the jobs I have been on, have gone in after trades etc, I have seen first hand, that every trade in the different jobs I have been on, to put it bluntly have stitched the clients up in one way or another, and the most weirdest thing that happened, and the most unbelievable was the carpet fitters, I took pics of something, as I was completely gobsmacked, I cant print or tell you yet just in case they spot it, and they might take it out on the client, but its unbelievable.

There is good trades about, and if you get one, hang on to them for dear life.

vaksam

Just found this thread and am totally shocked!

Just wanted to say good luck and keep positive.

dirtyepic

Hurrah!!! That's it!! Over and done with!!

Today, after almost 2 hours in the courts we have eventually sorted out the builder problems.

We both agreed that we didn't want him back and the judge agreed to allow us to sort out a figure to get all the rest of the work rectified, the bathroom already is (builder got a bit tetchy about this in court!!! Shame - its what the judge ordered previously) but the builder wouldn't agree to cover any of the legal fees which have accrued. We suggested we would pay half and he said he had been more than generous (I laughed at him when he said that!) and wanted nothing to do with the legal costs. It would have been around £800 each to pay. Then he piped up with 'if you give me £1000 that will settle it fully!!'

My husband and I asked for a few minutes to discuss then decided definitely yes!!!

I am so relieved, although we still haven't the finished extension as yet and we have legal costs to pay at least the nasty man is out of our hair, hopefully forever.

I was so nervous on entering the courts but once I sat next to him and he tried his usual lies and excagarated stories and the judge was clearly fed up with him, I gained so much confidence.

God this has been an experience, I don't even feel that it has happened to us. So much has gone on and I never ever thought it would end BUT IT HAS!!!

Me and my lovely baldy husband are over the moon, we can put it all behind us and get on with the next part of our lives together without any dark clouds hanging over us.

I would like to thank each and every one of you all who have been in touch or asked how things were going. Your advice, support and presence have been an absolute godsend. I wish I could thank you all face to face, individually but that would be impossible so please accept this message instead.

Last night my friend said to me that whatever the outcome today the whole awful, lengthy experience will have made me a stronger person. And it has.

I faced the builder today with so much confidence and strength, it was amazing.

Thanks again, all. You have all been wonderful.

Take care

I now pronounce this chapter and book now closed. Never to be reopened!!

Terri
aka Dirtyepic

Please be warned all you London MSE, this company is now operating in London and I think they are winding down their Newcastle outfit but I still see their vans about. If you want to know who they were please get in touch. I would hate to see anyone else be bullied by them. I will probably get into trouble if I put their name up on here. But if I won't get into trouble please let me know cos everyone needs to know who they are!!!

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

:rotfl: :T :rotfl: :T :rotfl: :j

baldelectrician

dirtyepic wrote: »

I would like to thank each and every one of you all who have been in touch or asked how things were going. Your advice, support and presence have been an absolute godsend. I wish I could thank you all face to face, individually but that would be impossible so please accept this message instead.

No problem, just send a cheque

Glad you got it sorted out. Good luck with the rest of the work.

McKneff

:j RESULT !!!! Wheeeeeyyyyy

So glad you got it all sorted and that you can get on with the rest of your lives. You must be feeling absolutely fantastic - have a drink on all of us.:beer:

Gangstabird

:beer: Wow just read this. Really glad for you.

pavlovs_dog

im SO glad it has all been sorted and you can put it behind you :j hope you're both having a well earned celebratory drink this weekend :beer:

knobblyknees

I can really sympathise, we are 2 years into a legal battle with our builder - we did the 'renovation from hell'. Legal costs so far are around £13000.00 with no end in sight and it is really getting me down. We have made mistakes and I think there is some sound advice on here - the person who suggested as the customer we must begin the action ie get a solicitor's letter asking the builder to complete the works by a specified time and if they don't, then get quotes from others to finish. That was our mistake, we dismissed ours as we had completey lost confidence and did not want him to come back. We then got others to finish. It started when he sent bailiffs in, which he had no right to do as his final invoice was still in dispute. He then submitted a court action from the online court. Something has got to be done about these people who ruin people's lives, our last 3 years have been hell. I have serious health issues but 'stress' does not count for anything. It seems you have followed the correct course but, again, I fail to understand that TS expect you to let this person back into your house when he is obviously so aggressive.I felt the same with ours. Ours is heading for mediation/arbitration now but even if we win we know he has now funds and will just close the company down. This is NOT justice. To say I loathe these people is an understatement; they are rogues and liars.