Being let down by builder

welshmoneylover

Advice needed please as getting stressed!
i paid a builder to do some work and it’s gone on for near 6 months and he keeps letting me down.
at what point do you say enough is enough before getting someone else in to finish the job off !?
never thought this would happen to me!

welshmoneylover

I should say it’s a small job and not an extension or relying on planning etc 

grumbler

This depends on how much you paid in advance and what for.

GDB2222

You have warned him that you are going to do that? 

welshmoneylover

Paid for fencing last August 

grumbler

100% in advance?

What do you mean by "to finish the job off"?

Ignoring the money owed, I would have told him "enough is enough" long time ego.

Jeepers_Creepers

How often have you contacted him? And what did he say?

I presume you still want him to do the job? If so you'll want to remain on good terms whilst still giving him an ultimatum. In which case a final letter/email/text with a deadline - say, 2 weeks? - and the pertinent facts so's he knows the score and that he's been unreasonable (so there can be no doubt in either mind should you need to take this further). Simple, factual, non-emotive, and perhaps giving him a slight get-out/excuse for his laxity to date just to make him feel less awkward, but with a deadline going forward.

Something along the lines of 'Hi Fred. You agreed to do my fencing back on the Xth of Aug. I paid you for the materials (£XYZ) on the Yth, and you gave me a starting date of the Zth Sept. It has still not been done. I have asked you about this at least G times (on the Fth, Dth, Eth and Sth...) but you have failed to start the work - that's now 6 MONTHS I have been waiting. I can understand that C-19 might have disrupted your schedule a bit, but this is an outdoor job with very little risk to anybody. I have to insist now that you either begin by the 10th March (14 days time) or else refund my deposit in full so I can get someone else to the do the work. Please let me know by return which option you prefer. Thanks, and regards...'

It not only gives him a deadline, but also lays out the essential facts, which is what you'll want should you need to take action.

Do you have LegProt on your home insurance? They will give you further guidance if needed, and should also take the case on for you if the guy simply doesn't turn up or respond, and you need to force him to hand over the dosh.

But, gently and reasonably and deadliney to begin with.

Rosa_Damascena

grumbler said:

100% in advance?

What do you mean by "to finish the job off"?

Ignoring the money owed, I would have told him "enough is enough" long time ego.

Yes he is TTP big time but I agree with Jeepers here, play it by the book but do not waiver from the reasonable deadline you set and be prepared carry out any action. A letter of intent can work like a charm.

Jeepers_Creepers

Oops, I hadn't realised the guy had actually started the work. That's more tricky - as well as being a lot more annoying.

The option for him to hand over the whole amount you paid him so far isn't so straight forward now as he's obviously used up some of it already.

So it's now more a case of 'how much work has he done, cost-wise' versus 'how much have you paid him'.

If the two sums are similar, you can just tell him he's 'sacked' if you want and then find someone else (having given him fair notice). If, however, the sum you've paid him is more than what he's done for you so far (+ materials), that's awkward - you'll likely be haggling over silly sums.

Ach, it's 'orrible.

He still needs an ultimatum.

WML, can you tell us the sums involved, what he's done so far, whether he's bought (and left with you...) all the materials required to finish?

welshmoneylover

Don’t want to put too much as outing but the amount is four figures and yes some work has been done

Jeepers_Creepers

But what are the proportions? Has he done enough to cover what you've already given him? Or, have you paid everything upfront?

If the latter, I do hope you have a paper trail of invoices and payments?

Do you have LP on your house insurance?

(In any event, this will serve as a lesson.)