Is my builder a rouge / cowboy builder?

Fire_Fox

Ask the electrician/ builder you used a few months ago and/ or your work colleagues and/ or your neighbours to recommend plumbers and other tradespeople.

If you expect or intend to take legal action, stop communicating informally (text message, telephone). Given you have both an e-mail address and postal address use these to form a paper trail/ evidence base for legal action.

If you prepare a first draft 'Letter Before Action' as summarised by Doozergirl the Citizen's Advice Bureau will check it for you. At some branches you can make an appointment to see an advisor, at other branches you turn up in the morning and queue to see an advisor.

HTH.

crazyvish

Dear all,

Thank you very much for your replies. As suggested, I will draft a letter and go to my nearest CAB to finalise it.

Silvertabby wrote: »

4 days for a complete strip and refit including wall and floor tiles? No way, unless he's the bionic man with 6 arms.

He stripped the w/c off (which was wall papered) in 30min! It was after this that I transferred the majority of the material money. Now, he has all reasons to keep postponing the job, for example, he says it needs 24hrs for the tile adhesive to dry and set (24hr for wall + 24hrs for Floor)!

missile wrote: »

I am surprised you have not already done this. Has he left you for 8 weeks without a toilet?

We have a family bathroom and an ensuite which we are currently using. W/C with shower was mainly for guest use. This probably was one of the reasons why it took us this long to realise that he is playing up!

another_casualty

Sorry about your situation .
I know the horse has bolted now , It's very daunting trying to find the right builder.
FWIW , I had interviewed 3 builders who I wanted to give me quotes on giving me a complete new bathroom .
2 were from rated people , and one was from another place altogether

The first guy( not from rated people) , came across as a know it all and lacking in any personality . When we discussed payment ( or rather me listening to his spiel), he mentioned a discount for cash.
Something just said no thank you .
The second guy from rated people had great reviews , but for some reason he had two names he was known as . He promised the earth , but he wanted 50% upfront . Err... no thank you .
The other guy was from rated people . He was and is a nice guy .
He gave me a quote , told me I could pay in stages when requested and he did a nice job . He did a lot in my kitchen after that and other jobs .
With builders they can be absent for a day here and there .i was lucky that my builder was always in contact when he couldn't make it now and then . He was grateful that I was laid back and not ringing him panicking .
Apologies for the waffling , but hopefully in a way it helps
Btw , I'm not promoting rated people . Just giving my experience . There are other sites available as we know ..

Doozergirl

another_casualty wrote: »

Sorry about your situation .
I know the horse has bolted now , It's very daunting trying to find the right builder.
FWIW , I had interviewed 3 builders who I wanted to give me quotes on giving me a complete new bathroom .
2 were from rated people , and one was from another place altogether

The first guy( not from rated people) , came across as a know it all and lacking in any personality . When we discussed payment ( or rather me listening to his spiel), he mentioned a discount for cash.
Something just said no thank you .
The second guy from rated people had great reviews , but for some reason he had two names he was known as . He promised the earth , but he wanted 50% upfront . Err... no thank you .
The other guy was from rated people . He was and is a nice guy .
He gave me a quote , told me I could pay in stages when requested and he did a nice job . He did a lot in my kitchen after that and other jobs .
With builders they can be absent for a day here and there .i was lucky that my builder was always in contact when he couldn't make it now and then . He was grateful that I was laid back and not ringing him panicking .
Apologies for the waffling , but hopefully in a way it helps
Btw , I'm not promoting rated people . Just giving my experience . There are other sites available as we know ..

It doesn't sound like you are promoting rated people.

It sounds like you're promoting a decent way to pick people. You didn't mention the price, you chose based on how someone made you feel, out of a choice of three. I would try to speak to at least one previous client, though, just in case.

We had to choose a new plumber recently. It took us quite a while and several chats with recommended people, but when I knew, I knew.

I pick clients the same way.

crazyvish

I wrote a letter to my builder and dropped it in post when he failed to turn up on 11th Apr. I have emailed a copy also. He acknowledged the email and said that the 1100x900 shower tray that he ordered will not turn up until 18th April and so he will complete the work on 18th and 19th. I messaged him last night to ask what time he is going to come and he reluctantly says he is working somewhere and he needs to finish that work. He says he is going on holiday for the long weekend and that he will come back on Tuesday to work at mine. I am not holding my breath. In my letter to him I stated in bold that I will employ another builder to do this work if he fails to complete it by 19th April. I have also obtained a quote from the new builder (this one is from a personal reference) and sent him a copy to say how much he will need to pay if he doesn't turn up and finish the job.

Please advise what should be my next course of action?

PS: He left a couple of tools at my place. If I put a court claim, should I allow him to come and take his tools, whilst he still has my money?

Doozergirl

Your next course of action is to do as you say, although I told you to give 14 days rather than 8 as it's recognised as being fair - did you set a date in the letter for that deadline?

Call your other person after Tuesday if he doesn't turn up. Let them finish the work, get your invoice and then log onto Moneyclaim online and make your court application.

I don't think stealing his tools is a great idea. You'll end up with a counter claim.

crazyvish

@doozergirl, thanks for your response. Yes, I mentioned the date in the letter which he agreed to. The reason I had to give that date is because I am having a house warming party this weekend. Whether I mentioned that or not, he doesn't care. I have been mentioning him that my parents will be coming from abroad and they will need to use this shower. He is aware that they are here and that they need to share our toilet. He has no remorse whatsoever.

I have no intention to steal his tools. I was asking whether I can secure them until my refund is received after which he can have them. If that is not a good idea I am okay for him to come and take them.