Builder problem

Karatekid

moved into a new house last year just before the lockdown. It needs a lot of refurb work. We were recommended a builder from our old neighbour. The builder came out and we told him our budget and he gave verbal estimates for a sunroom extension, new kitchen, internal building work, new bathrooms and new built-in wardrobes. His estimates were in the ballpark. We asked for him follow this up with a written quotation. His new prices were astronomically higher (eg sunroom £30k v £12k verbal estimate). From the quote we said we needed the plumbing work,  bathrooms and wardrobes and we needed to review the sunroom and kitchen to scale the price back. We eventually got the bathrooms finished after 3 months (he told us it would be 3 weeks) after constant chasing from us - after it came to a head he openly said he would never have taken the job if it was only plumbing bathrooms and wardrobes (over £20k!). He still has numerous snags to fix (extractor not wired, shower needs replaced etc). I have paid him half of his invoice.
The wardrobes is now the real saga. He quoted us £5300 + VAT for 3 built in wardrobes including new stud gable walls to create alcoves for the wardrobes. The walls are in and we've been waiting months on the doors and internals being fitted. After constant chasing by us (the builder won't answer our calls) directly to his supplier (trade only) we've been emailed and told we've to pay the supplier directly £3570 inc VAT. This supposedly includes a discount for the inconvenience (they sent cowboy fitters before xmas and some of their work needs ripped out and replaced - the supplier surveyed it and admitted it was sub standard). 
We have queried why we now have to pay the supplier directly as we are fearful of the builder then invoicing us an unknown amount for the alcove walls and the overall price being more than he originally quoted! We have emailed both the builder and wardrobe supplier for a breakdown of the cost and the total final amount we have to pay before Friday but they will not provide this.
What do you think we should do? 

Aylesbury_Duck

Sounds a mess and to be honest, I've struggled to grasp exactly which party you've paid for what, and which party you're considering paying for what else.  There seems to be a builder, a supplier and some fitters involved with the wardrobes?

It might just be me, but you may need to set things out more clearly for people to be able to offer meaningful advice.  The whole of the first paragraph doesn't appear relevant to your query, which is about the wardrobes.  Exactly who has quoted how much for what, who has been paid what amount to date, and what amounts are outstanding and to whom?

Karatekid

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Sounds a mess and to be honest, I've struggled to grasp exactly which party you've paid for what, and which party you're considering paying for what else.  There seems to be a builder, a supplier and some fitters involved with the wardrobes?

It might just be me, but you may need to set things out more clearly for people to be able to offer meaningful advice.  The whole of the first paragraph doesn't appear relevant to your query, which is about the wardrobes.  Exactly who has quoted how much for what, who has been paid what amount to date, and what amounts are outstanding and to whom?

I was trying to give the background to the issue.
Builder took the job on for installing new plumbing, bathrooms and wardrobes. 
Plumbing and bathrooms finished with numerous issues, he invoiced us £8K - we've paid him half until he fixes the issues (which he shows no sign of doing so far)

We also ordered built in wardrobes from the builder who uses a supplier to manufacture and fit them. These are due to be fitted on Friday. The supplier now says we pay him directly for the wardrobes instead of the builder. The builder will still want an unknown amount for prepping the bedrooms for the wardrobes - this is an unknown amount and what are issue is

williamgriffin

Surely you'll know what's due to the builder from your written quote. 

greyteam1959

Duplicate threads are really boring.

Karatekid

greyteam1959 said:

Duplicate threads are really boring.

I don't know how to delete the other one !!!!!!

Karatekid

williamgriffin said:

Surely you'll know what's due to the builder from your written quote. 

I don't as there a few items that were not supplied and I also don't know what discount we have been given from the supplier for the inconvenience/delay

Aylesbury_Duck

Karatekid said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

Sounds a mess and to be honest, I've struggled to grasp exactly which party you've paid for what, and which party you're considering paying for what else.  There seems to be a builder, a supplier and some fitters involved with the wardrobes?

It might just be me, but you may need to set things out more clearly for people to be able to offer meaningful advice.  The whole of the first paragraph doesn't appear relevant to your query, which is about the wardrobes.  Exactly who has quoted how much for what, who has been paid what amount to date, and what amounts are outstanding and to whom?

I was trying to give the background to the issue.
Builder took the job on for installing new plumbing, bathrooms and wardrobes. 
Plumbing and bathrooms finished with numerous issues, he invoiced us £8K - we've paid him half until he fixes the issues (which he shows no sign of doing so far)

We also ordered built in wardrobes from the builder who uses a supplier to manufacture and fit them. These are due to be fitted on Friday. The supplier now says we pay him directly for the wardrobes instead of the builder. The builder will still want an unknown amount for prepping the bedrooms for the wardrobes - this is an unknown amount and what are issue is

So where does the discount for the work the cowboy fitters come into it?

I'd keep things simple. Don't pay the supplier.  Ask the builder for a proper breakdown of costs for the supply and fit of the wardrobes, as well as the work done to prepare the area for them.  If he doesn't cooperate, go elsewhere for supply and fit and await his next move, which will presumably be to charge you for the work done.