Cowboy Builder help and advice please!

damanisjon

I won't go into too much detail. At the begining of the year I purchased a property in very bad condition. I am unable to live there in it's present condition.

At the begining I met with several builders and picked one that "seemed" to be legit, reputable and well recommended by a colleague at work.

The work was agreed, and expected to run for 3-4 weeks at the begining of January.

The work started well and a lot was done in the first week. He called me often to update me on progress and if he was ever unavailable on the phone I could talk to his partner, whom was able to take a message for me. Not long after, his visits became less often and the work started dragging on. He had to be chased everyday etc.

At one point in...March he managed to complete a full week at the property again and seemed like he got serious after threats of court. Etc However it's now been 3 months since the last time he was working at the property. We have met multiple times to discuss it getting done but he always fails to turn up. He doesnt even call me, or answer his phone, just plain doesnt turn up.

It's got to the stage now where he doesn't answer the phone, doesn't answer to email or post. Nor does his partner. I cant get hold of him and I cant even discuss any kind of resolution.

He has started everything, not finished even 50% and I worry that anyone I bring in now will just charge me as if it's starting from scratch. I've been trying not to give him too much money through the process with stages set up, however he has been paid for work he hasn't even started and has materials I purchased , doors and radiators.

I've called trading standards and citizens advice. I've sent him the recommended recorded delivery letters and consulted with a solicitor.

I'm at the stage where 7 months on I'm still unable to live in my property and want to initiate the court process.

I was wondering if any nice people in the forum have gone through this process before and they could provide me with some advice. I'm just so stressed and fed up now, id love to know costs and timescales.
The solicitor I spoke to told me that the small claims court process could reach 10k in costs, and the guy will probably fold and not pay for anything

Any answers would be great
Really grates me that this guy is going round doing this to people and getting away with it.

DoaM

damanisjon wrote: »

I was wondering if any nice people in the Reddit world

So you're copy/pasting the same text across several different fora and not even trying to hide that fact?

robatwork

damanisjon wrote: »

I was wondering if any nice people in the Reddit world have gone through this process before and they could provide me with some advice.

They probably could.

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

damanisjon wrote: »

I won't go into too much detail. At the begining of the year I purchased a property in very bad condition. I am unable to live there in it's present condition.

At the begining I met with several builders and picked one that "seemed" to be legit, reputable and well recommended by a colleague at work.

I am not a builder and know nothing about laying bricks. If I had bought a run down shack, I would employ the services of an architect to manage any refurbishment.


I have highlighted your error!

damanisjon

guilty as charged. Havent been getting anyone to give me any further advice on that site. However I did add more content to the email before I posted.
Im just desperate for help as you can see