Landscaper problem

springbokfamily

Can anyone give me some advice please.

On 29 October a Landscape gardener started a job on my garden. Completely ripping out garden, building 2 new patios, and laying artificial grass.
I was advised that this should take 7-10 days dependant on the weather.
Now 9 weeks later it is still not finished! The patios need pointing, the grass needs to be power brushed up, and a couple of other small jobs. Maximum of a day’s work.
I haven’t seen him since 11 November, and I’ve lost count of the number of messages I have sent him, where he hasn’t replied. I didn’t hear from him for over a month.
On the odd occasion he has replied he’s asked if I am at home so he can come then, I’ve replied straight away saying I am, and he hasn’t responded or turned up.
I contacted him on Christmas Eve to ask when he would finish my garden and he replied straight away saying he would be here at 9.30 this morning. Needless to say he hasn’t come, and has sent me a message just saying”I’ll come tomorrow” with no reason why he’s not coming today, no apology.

I’m at a loss of what to do now. I’ve paid him for the materials as he’s got them, although I’m yet to see all the pointing material!
I haven’t, and will not, pay him the balance until the work is complete.

My concern is that he isn’t going to finish. I need to get the garden finished as soon as possible, my garden contents have been in my neighbours garden for 9 weeks, and they’ve been more than patient.

My guess is that I will have to pay out for someone else to finish the work, but where do I stand with the work he has done so far, The completely unreasonable amount of time it’s taken, the lack of communication - in terms of how much I owe him.
The quote he gave me included all labour and materials, I’ve paid out to him everything except £1200.

So stressed out with how long this has taken, I really don’t know what to do now!

Thanks for your help

Mistral001

You said that you have paid for materials. Have you paid anything to date for labour?

springbokfamily

the money I’ve paid so far is for materials.

Mistral001

I would not get anybody else in to finish it off. There are good legal reasons for not doing this. Only do it after consulting a solicitor and at a last resort.

Just keep badgering him. You could say that you are worried about the job and losing sleep over whether it will be finished in time for the growing season etc. I would not make any threats of legal action or as I have stated getting somebody else in to finish off the job at least for a while anyway.

xyz123

Do you have his address. If so go and see him face to face. Failing that, wait for couple of weeks and then send a recorded delivery letter requesting that work is finished ASAP (no need for any legal threats for first couple of written attempts...