Builder won’t finish job and ignoring calls

Ftbftbftb

I found a builder who gave us a very good quote for some landscaping work (paving and composite decking) via my builder website.

He has only a handful of reviews (all +ve) and his quote was almost half the price than the others. Anyway he sent a contract scheduling everything I requested with the amount and stipulated 1/3 before work starts 1/3 half way through and 1/3 on completion.

He quoted works would last 2 weeks. He was hired mid Feb. It’s almost now over 8 weeks and he hasn’t started the composite decking and turned the garden upside down. I have paid him 2/3 of what he wanted and realised the composite decking was the biggest chunk. He started off well then started to not turn up and gave us excuses after excuses and now says he has cash flow problems and wants me to pay the final 1/3 as he doesn’t have enough to buy the decking. I said no and since then I haven’t heard a single thing out of him. He did mention that the decking is expensive and I think he realises he may have under quoted us a bit.

He has clearly breached his own contract. And now I have a half finished garden that’s of no use at all.

Now what do I do? Tbh I don’t have much money left to ask somone else to finish off the job as they want 2/3x as much.

Where do I stand ? What can I do? Help and advice would be really appreciated

deethebee

I'm sorry no one has responded to you yet and that you're having so much trouble with this builder - I do feel for you. I'm not entirely sure on this situation but it does sound like he's broken contract. Did you get anything in writing? If he has broken contract then you should be able to end it and ask him for your money back, but it sounds like that is going to be difficult if he's saying he's having cash flow problems. If you took him to small claims court you may win, but if he hasn't got the money then you'll be left having to get bailiff's involved.

Personally, I would write him a letter telling him he's got x amount of time to finish the job or you will be making a claim against him in the county court. Is there any way the website you found him on can help you? I would have thought they would take some responsibility for who they have listed on their site, but I could be wrong on this.

I hope that someone more knowledgeable on this will be able to comment and give you information on anything else you can do.

deethebee

Also have a look at this link. It looks like the mybuilder website will help you with disputes: https://www.mybuilder.com/help/faq-finding-builders#!category-5

mobileron

Go onto the local facebook page and name and shame him,Social media is on your side.
If no joy take him to small claims court,do not pay him the last third.

Cybernana

Would contacting Trading Standards for your locality be any good?

bris

Kev1967 wrote: »

I agreed to buy an item from a shop via email (so in writing) and delivery was arranged for the following week. I had not yet paid for the item or a deposit. I was then contacted a few days later to say it had been sold and collected. Is there anything I can do to complain about this or is it fair game for the company to sell it after agreeing it to me as I didn’t pay yet (was going to pay on the day of delivery)?

Maybe start your own thread?