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Rogue Trader / Poor Work WWYD?

I hope this is the right place to post :o

In June, I got some quotes for my leaking chimneys (terraced house and has one on each side). 3 different tradesmen came round and I hired the guy who was mid price and the only one who actually pulled out a ladder to get into and actually on the roof to see what the issue was. Seemed like a nice enough guy at the time. He said he would have the work done by the Friday (this was on the Tuesday). We then had heavy rain on and off for the next few days so work was delayed by about a week.

Work was carried out and workman said he didn't need access to the property as all the work was to the exterior (roof and chimneys) so I didn't need to be there. All fine as I don't currently live at the property, however I did ask for photos of the work so that I could see what has been done etc.

Got a call later that day to say all work had been completed and could I transfer the money and he would then send the invoice and guarantee for works. When I asked about photos, he said he didn't get a chance to take them as it started raining and he wanted to get off the roof asap. I did tell him that I couldn't pay the invoice without actually seeing it(!) but he told me that was the way he works and after a few harassing phone calls, I transferred the money (£350) to his bank account that he had sent through via text. After that, I never heard from him again. No invoice, no guarantee despite a number of calls and texts to him requesting these. He's since been removed from Rated People, where I originally found him, for poor work it seems.

House has been empty for a month or so and I went back in last week to find that part of the chimney is still leaking and causing water damage. I've put the house up for sale, as I'm sick of dealing with all of the repairs and issues that come with it (and I'm out of money :() Money will be knocked off the sale price due to this damage and issue which will need fixing by the new buyer.

So to cut a long story short, what would you do? I've looked at small court claims and it looks like you have to ask the workman to repair before claiming. I could ask him via text, although the house is nearly sold so not sure I can get it repaired in time to make a difference, although I doubt he will reply anyway. Maybe once I've told him about my intentions to take him to court, he might respond but it may be too late by that point anyway?

So what would you do? Thanks in advance :)

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