Issues with builders

Craig2909

Our saga continues, for a months we have had the run around. The builders were to come last week but van issues, then again a few days later. Now we have not heard anything from them.
I need to write the letter to them to comply with prior action to small claims but I need to know if I'm taking them to court using their names or the name of the business that had dissolved at the time of taking them on, or the name of the business that they actually have registered at Companies house...!
If anyone can be of any help, I would really appreciate it please.

Craig2909

Please can someone advise as to who I name on the pre-action protocol & when the time comes on the court action.
I got into a contract with 2 men that owned a company called (not real names) Alfa in Oct 2016
Unbeknown to me they started another company Bravo in Jan 2017
My build went from Oct 2016 to July 2017.
These 2 men, change who is the director of these and all previous businesses every year, they fold all businesses after a few years.
Alfa company folded in May 2018 but Bravo is still active.

They are messing me around with repairs that desperately need doing.
All businesses were private limited companies.

Please help

Craig2909

I should point out, that the folded company Alfa is still operating under that name and using Facebook to advertise.

Craig2909

Having sought legal advice, it appears it is very hard to sue a company that has dissolved.
Its a known practice esp in the building trade to dissolve and start up when limited as this helps prevent any action being taken against them.
I have found a link on yougov which enables us to report their actions/my suspicions - let me know if you want the link.
These people should not be allowed to pay minimal money to become limited and given this much protection!

Mile2go

Hi,
I know this isn't much help now but apparently if a Ltd company files to dissolve itself they have to give 3 months notice to allow anyone that they owe money to for eg to object. You can sign up to follow the activity of a registered company on the companies House website. I've only discovered this because we're having similar problems with our builders who refuse to come back to finish work we've paid for so now we're taking them to scc. It's horribly stressful.
I hope your issues get sorted soon, it's not fair these cowboy builders know how to play the system and get away with ripping off people who just expect them to do the job they've been paid to do!

DoaM

Do people never pay (any of the amount) by credit card these days?

Craig2909

DoaM wrote: »

Do people never pay (any of the amount) by credit card these days?

Not if the builder does not have the facility to accept credit cards.

Your post is not exactly helpful. Perhaps back it up with advice rather than just questioning! Would be in the spirit of the forums

Bermonia

Here some advice... move on with your life, it is clear you will not be getting anything back from a dissolved company or even a limited company who would just cease trading if you filed a claim.

I appreciate it’s not the answer you want, however at some point you need to draw a line under this... even solicitor advised you accordingly so not sure why your hoping to get further advice from a forum.

Craig2909

Bermonia wrote: »

Here some advice... move on with your life, it is clear you will not be getting anything back from a dissolved company or even a limited company who would just cease trading if you filed a claim.

I appreciate it’s not the answer you want, however at some point you need to draw a line under this... even solicitor advised you accordingly so not sure why your hoping to get further advice from a forum.

Wow, thanks. Perhaps I was still moving with my life and not hoping for further advice, I was just replying like I am here.
Why jump on a forum to not offer anything constructive! No need to answer.

Craig2909

Please be nice to all MoneySavers. That’s the forum motto. Remember, the prime aim is to help provide info and resources. If you don’t like someone, their situation, their question or feel they’re intruding on ‘your board’ then please bite the bullet and think of the bigger issue. A Guardian article once "doffed its cap" to this forum as being the one place where consumers can collect together and fight back. Our job is to help keep it that way.