Builder Not Completed Works and Is Now Ignoring Me

queenadreena

Hired a builder to do some work which was started last year and is still ongoing. It was supposed to be a small 2week job and he's now not replying to calls/texts.
I've paid him about 80% of the total amount (didn't see that some of the work hadn't been completed till further inspection) and I am about to start quoting the CRA 2015 at him. There are damp patches on the new plaster from the scaffolding outside, there's external plaster that's run down the walls in the torrential rain we've been having, I've no downpipe so the last 12 weeks worth of rain has been running down the outside of the house (over unplastered brickwork, which I think has contributed to previously good plaster now lifting from the brick)


Given that we're over 3months in to a 2 week job - would I be covered to request a refund and the works completed, or just the works completed?

Caz3121

do you have a contract with them? does it state the timescales?

queenadreena

I've got electronic invoices which I've replied to and confirmed I wanted to go ahead and I've got further emails from the builder saying that the work will be completed "by the end of the week" - this has also been confirmed verbally several times by phone.

queenadreena

Quotes and invoices, sorry. I have both.

pramsay13

Are you asking if you can get him to give you back all of your money and to complete the jobs?
I would think it would be either or, but whether you get it and when is another question entirely.
Would the amount still to be paid cover the jobs still to be done so you get someone else to finish them?
If not you are probably looking at trying to get him to fix it or refund the money although if he's not replying that is easier said than done.
Does he have social media that you can use to contact him?
Is he a member of any trade organisation?

queenadreena

I'm not looking for a full refund but just the work finished and possible compensation in recognition of the fact he's messed me around for the last 13 weeks and that I'm experiencing further problems which are (I think) attributable to the state the house has been left in. The money I've got left wouldn't complete the full works, no.
I'm trying really hard to balance being firm with going over the top and ranting.
I found his company on social media and they've been happily working on other projects whilst ignoring mine. Was great finding that, as you can imagine!


I'll check if his company is part of a trade org though, thanks!

lincroft1710

pramsay13 wrote: »

Is he a member of any trade organisation?

Most TOs are ineffectual

queenadreena

Still ongoing.


We're on week 20 and the work isn't finished, and the last bit of rendering done was appalling compared to the rest (different colour plaster, fewer pebbles than the rest)


I've asked him to finish up and give me my front door key back by end of the week.


He's agreed to a reduction in costs, but what's reasonable to ask for in light of the time taken and attributable costs - I had to live away from the house for 6 weeks due to the house being uninhabitable, which meant petrol and parking costs that I don't normally incur.


Any advice welcome - it's difficult to not be biased as this has been pretty stressful for the last 5 months.