Dodgy Paving Company Problems

Nippey_2

Hi, I was wondering if anyone on here could offer me some advice.

I got a firm in to redo our driveway and he quoted £500 that we agreed on (stupidly we got nothing in writing)

He came round dug up out driveway, exposed a dodgy looking pipe and the came round and said he was finished and that we had to pay him in cash - the drive is full of rubble!!
I refused and a giant row ensued, I asked him to finish the job and I would pay him £500 as agreed but he said he underestimated the amout of work and it would now be £1000 to finish the drive!! I told him that I would not agree to that and he said he would except £350 in cash and wouldn't bother us again if I paid it on Friday (the originally agreed payment date) and stormed off. He also said that he had kids to feed and he lived in a caravan so needed the money more than I did!!!

I then had a reputable paving firm come round and he said the pipe they had exposed was either a gas or electric pipe and I should call the council and get them to come and see what it was.

He then provided a written quote saying that to repair the damage that was done and cover the pipe safely it would be £1400, I had two more people come and the quotes were all very similar.
I do not want to pay the dodgy people but dont know where I stand legally. Any advice would be welome...thanks!

benood

Oh dear, I think that you'll probably be out of luck pursuing the first workman, he sounds a man of straw - how about getting another couple of quotes for the remedial work - with luck one will come in cheaper than £1400.

Good luck

marybishop

I would put a call in to Trading Standards and explain the situation. If the guy is due to come back to collect his money then TS may well want to be there when he does! Worth a call.

By the way, where did you get his name/number from - if it was a cold call then definitely phone Trading Standards.

duncan320

He also said that he had kids to feed and he lived in a caravan so needed the money more than I did!!!

Says it all really ! - in another way he could have just tarmac over the pipe and said see you later and you be none the wiser. Maybe go the trading standards route.

money££££££

Nippey wrote: »

Hi, I was wondering if anyone on here could offer me some advice.

I got a firm in to redo our driveway and he quoted £500 that we agreed on (stupidly we got nothing in writing)

1. Did this bloke knock your door / deliver a flyer? if so thats a NO NO!!
2. Did he "redo" the drive? NO, dont pay him then!
3. Call TRADING STANDARDS!!
4. REMEMBER this and never do it again, check out a trade first, i have just joined www.yourlocaltrades.co.uk and they are vetting me as i type!
5. Did you see references yourself?
6 Did you ask for proof of address? (caravan??????)
7. Did you see proof of Public Liability Insurance?
8. did you see proof of any trade memberships? (local councils have them themselves too.)
9. I have had to supply all that and more when i joined the above site, maybe it is worth remembering for future reference!!
10. sorry to hear about that, its not nice and its not fair!!, report them, give as much detail as you can to trading standards and hopefully you will be the last "victim" of this obviously "DODGY" outfit!!

marybishop

duncan320 wrote: »

He also said that he had kids to feed and he lived in a caravan so needed the money more than I did!!!

Says it all really !

Duncan - glad you said that, I was trying hard to resist. Think the word 'caravan' gives it away!!:eek:

Nippey_2

money££££££ wrote: »

1. Did this bloke knock your door / deliver a flyer? if so thats a NO NO!!
2. Did he "redo" the drive? NO, dont pay him then!
3. Call TRADING STANDARDS!!
4. REMEMBER this and never do it again, check out a trade first, i have just joined www.yourlocaltrades.co.uk and they are vetting me as i type!
5. Did you see references yourself?
6 Did you ask for proof of address? (caravan??????)
7. Did you see proof of Public Liability Insurance?
8. did you see proof of any trade memberships? (local councils have them themselves too.)
9. I have had to supply all that and more when i joined the above site, maybe it is worth remembering for future reference!!
10. sorry to hear about that, its not nice and its not fair!!, report them, give as much detail as you can to trading standards and hopefully you will be the last "victim" of this obviously "DODGY" outfit!!

Hi,

It was a flyer through the door but I did see referances and insurance certificates, and both the website, flyers and certificates had an address, however i can now only assume they are fake and I have drive to the address that was given and there is no house there!!!!

I think I have been totally duped and will report them and save up to get the drive fixed...and I have learnt a valuable lesson...never trust anyone!

marybishop

In that case definitely contact Trading Standards - this is happening all the time. If he is coming back for his money chances are TS will be more than happy to greet him on your behalf!

misgrace

It wouldnt hurt to contact 'rogue traders' either.

If you have a video camera, set it up and film him when he comes back to pick up money.

Just think, this could be a OAP that he is fleecing, and these people have to be stopped.:mad:

maninthestreet

Nippey wrote: »

Hi,

It was a flyer through the door but I did see referances and insurance certificates, and both the website, flyers and certificates had an address, however i can now only assume they are fake and I have drive to the address that was given and there is no house there!!!!

I think I have been totally duped and will report them and save up to get the drive fixed...and I have learnt a valuable lesson...never trust anyone!

So what was the web site?

marybishop

misgrace wrote: »

It wouldnt hurt to contact 'rogue traders' either.

If you have a video camera, set it up and film him when he comes back to pick up money.

Just think, this could be a OAP that he is fleecing, and these people have to be stopped.:mad:

If Nippey contacts TS he/she (sorry!) may find they come complete with TV cameraman as per Scam Squad!!