Not happy with decorating work carried out - next steps ?

47Revisited

No excuse for his work and do not pay him anymore, but if you want plastering work done, you need to employ a plasterer. He clearly is not one or anything close.

Jimmy_Boy

Just to expand on what I stated in my original post.

The second room (bedroom) was meant to be finished last week but he didnt turn up. In preparation for this work to be carried out I had to completely clear out the bedroom and as things are still upside down (no furniture yet - nowhere to put stuff), all my stuff has been stuffed into a storage cupboard (its crammed full! ha). 

The idea being that I can manage for a week while hes doing the work and then move everything back out once completed. Bearing in mind he knows if he didnt finish last week, that he wont be back at mine for another month (due to other work I stated in OP), so now I have the majority of all my possession stuffed in a cupboard meaning I need to empty it all back out to get to stuff I need.

Also, in preparation of the work, as all the walls were being skimmed all the radiators have been removed. So again, he knows he wont be here for another month, and im sat in my place cuddled with a hot water bottle as im freezing!

The original estimated time was about 6 weeks, which I believe I would manage ok, which I have, but now its about 3 months with no heating.

I realise these are 'me' problems, but does add to the frustration somewhat.

47Revisited

You need to take control of the situation. Contact him and tell him your not happy with the time it's taking to complete the work and also the finish of the plastering! Demand that he gives you a date he can return asap to remedy the work he has done. Tell him if he does not do this you will employ someone that can and you will be looking in to claiming back money for any work that needs doing to rectify his unacceptable work. 

Jimmy_Boy

I know... but this is what im a little hazy on, regarding my rights...
MUST I give him an opportunity to fix his work?
Bearing in mind the quality of his work, he's most likely to do more of the same for his fix and be back where I am (does doing this mean I loose the opportunity for refund if work is still not satisfactory?), also he wouldn't be here for a month as he is driving up to Manchester to work for his brother (apparently lockdown rules dont apply to him)

Can I skip to basically saying... all work is to stop... not happy with the current work... getting someone else in to finish job and fix his work, then request refunded / sue (I know theres a lot more involved than that, but just summarising)

47Revisited

Best thing you can do is contact him and tell him what I've already told you to say. Put it in writing as well. If it went to court, you could show that you have tried to be reasonable. If your not happy with his reply, tell him so and then look at taking further action. You want get them radiators back on, it's a bit chilly.

MalMonroe

Is this self-employed person properly registered to do the jobs he has said he can do? You could report him if not.

Is he a member of any professional body to whom you could make an official complaint? I very much doubt it but if he were you could report him to them.

I agree that you should contact him, in writing, to let him know that you're not happy that he has taken no steps to rectify anything, although he promised to do so. As 47Revisited says, tell him that you're going to be claiming the money back from him so you can get a proper job done by someone more capable. You've already given him the opportunity to rectify his work and he hasn't taken it. Now it's time to get tough.

Do you think HE is sitting at home shivering while he's looking at substandard workmanship? No, me neither. 

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

MalMonroe said:

Is this self-employed person properly registered to do the jobs he has said he can do? You could report him if not.

 

Report him to who for what now?

OP you should detail all the points you are not happy with and put them to him in writing.

Reperformance should be done within a reasonable time and without significant inconvenience, these are not defined, living without heating at this time of year and in the current situation of not being able to stay with friends/family or go to a hotel I'd say you are in a good position to ask for all noted issues to be fixed within say 10 days and full works completed with x days (not sure what is left so give a reasonable timeframe).
 
State if this can't be met you'll have to engage the services of someone else and look to recover any additional costs.

It'll will hopefully sour the relationship to the point he simply walks away leaving you free to find someone else.

Regarding damages it's sensible to consider his situation, someone with a nice car on the drive of the home they own won't want bailiffs turning up, someone in rented accommodation with nothing of value is far less likely to care. 

First step in put it all in writing giving a reasonable timeframe to get everything sorted.