Poor Tradesman - Can I just bin him off?

ITtim

Hi All,



So we needed a bathroom re-fit, so remove old, plaster ceiling and install new.



Found a plumber who we were happy to give the work too.


He commenced work in November 2018 (was meant to be September but he cancelled a week before he was due to start) and I say he commenced work it was in fact a series of sub contractors who had free roam of our house.



Without going into the many issues we've had the bottom line is that the work is still not complete and they have during that time damaged ceilings, walls, the new bath as well as some other issues that may or may not be related to their work. We discussed it with him 3 weeks ago and got appologies and a promise of a reduction on the final bill but since then little has been done.


I want to tell him not to bother coming back, the issue is payment.



I've paid him half his quote. My assumption is the other half is greater than the work left to be carried out.



I'm worried that it would seem that i'm looking to profit from the situation but the time taken and the grief its caused us does in my opinion offer some compensation on our part plus the hassle of finding someone to complete the work.



There was no contract signed for this job.


So my question is, if I tell him not to return is he going to try and drag me through courts etc? Will I be justified is telling him to cut ties with us?


Thanks

stator

He might try and take you to court, who knows? He might threaten but not follow up. He might turn even nastier.



You should get someone independant in to inspect the work and produce a report on what has and hasn't been done, and what needs to be re-done.

tacpot12

If you feel you are or would be profiting from the situation, you could make a offer of some part of the outstanding payment that you feel reflects the value of the work done. I would make this offer in writing and confirm that it is being offered in full and final settlement of your liability to pay him. Keep a copy of the letter to show to the court that you have tried to come to an amicable settlement but cannot.

But I suggest you take stator's advice first; get a third-party opinion of the cost to complete the work, so that you don't give way money that you should be keeping back to get the work completed by someone else. Note that the court might expect you to have at least two other quotes of the cost to complete the work You should probably try to get at least one more quote before having any work done, if only to protect yourself from further problems.

searchlight123

it's worth noting also that it will more likely cost more to get someone in to complete / rectify another builder's work than the original builder finishing himself.

so definitely get quotes from others on finishing this job before you agree to pay your original builder any more money. a lot of builders are reluctant to do this work as there may be hidden defects that they will not want to be held accountable for in the future.

Alfrescodave

Make sure that you have MANY pictures of the issues/damage that the plumber has caused just in case it does turn into a legal argument.