How to approach a builder to fix a mistake

JackeeBoy

Hi all

Recently has my shower cubicle replaced. Looks like the builder forgot to seal around the edges an and water was getting through to the other side. Never noticed for 2-3 days until I saw the kitchen wall downstairs was dripping with water. The entire wall is now cold to the touch, wallpaper ruined and I can only imagine what the damage is like between the floors.

Messaged the builder who gave me a call right after to say he'll come over to look last week. Never showed up but did call to say his van broke down and he'll come another day.

My worry now is I have spent around £600 to get this done only for it to cause more damage. What do you think should be my approach in order to get this fixed?

Should I just accept him fixing the shower? Should I also let him know I expect the downstairs wallpaper to be redone? Do I also add that the carpet be lifted and the water damage inspected as much as possible?

Any advice will be much appreciated. Concern is he essentially does a runner.

naf123

More details.

Did you do a contract with the builder?
Is it a cash job?

JackeeBoy

naf123 wrote: »

More details.

Did you do a contract with the builder?
Is it a cash job?

Cash job through Rated People. No contract.

Doozergirl

JackeeBoy wrote: »

Cash job through Rated People. No contract.

Any Invoice?

His van broke down last week, so what's the updare on that?

JackeeBoy

No invoice. He is responding to me as we are now arranging a day for him to come over. Thing is, his mistake in the bathroom has led to the kitchen being damaged.

jk0

JackeeBoy wrote: »

No invoice. He is responding to me as we are now arranging a day for him to come over.

I predict van will break down again, whatever day you agree.

PhilE

He could do a runner, as you don't have a contract. No contract, he can do what he wants basically.

Always insist on an invoice, ignore the 'I'll do it cheap with no VAT, just give me cash,' cowboys. Pay your VAT, get peace of mind. Even then, all a limited company has to do is declare bankruptcy and get away with it.

The damage to your house re damp may not be so bad, get a powerful dehumidifier and run it 24/7. Keep the place heated to 15 degrees at least to avoid mold.

If the builder doesn't sort it out, give him negative reviews online for the rest of his life. He'll then loose more money, than if he'd sorted the problem out like an honest person.

Doozergirl

PhilE wrote: »

He could do a runner, as you don't have a contract. No contract, he can do what he wants basically.

Always insist on an invoice, ignore the 'I'll do it cheap with no VAT, just give me cash,' cowboys. Pay your VAT, get peace of mind. Even then, all a limited company has to do is declare bankruptcy and get away with it.

The damage to your house re damp may not be so bad, get a powerful dehumidifier and run it 24/7. Keep the place heated to 15 degrees at least to avoid mold.

If the builder doesn't sort it out, give him negative reviews online for the rest of his life. He'll then loose more money, than if he'd sorted the problem out like an honest person.

A limited company isn't going to go bump for £600 - well, £720 if there was VAT

At least there would be an invoice.

People wonder why the building trade has a bad rep, but this is how people - consumers included - are prepared to behave. It takes two to tango. If you don't stand for it, it won't happen.

Mistral001

You have a contract with this builder. Even if it was done for cash with nothing written down, in law you will have a contract. A verbal contract is still a contract and totally admissible in court as such..


Keep chasing this. Be persistent. Another builder will not touch it if they know that there is a dispute with the first builder. I would not make a big fuss about the wallpaper until you get him back as it could scare him off even coming near the job again.

Fire_Fox

Communicate in writing - letter or e-mail - so you have a paper trail.

robatwork

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Communicate in writing - letter or e-mail - so you have a paper trail.

Just an observation from the last few years - builders (and most tradesmen) seem very keen on not communicating via email or even text.

The best I get generally is "call me on xxxxx". There's of course a time to discuss things on the phone, and times where a "I'll come at 930 on Thursday" or "To replace your hob with the Ikea X817 hob will be £400 + VAT as discussed" is better and easier, and can be referred back to.

I even get this from tradesmen I have used several times and trust.