Builder Never Turns Up. What to Do?

mrcol1000

Six weeks ago I asked a builder to come and look at our wetroom/bathroom wall as tiles were cracking and the grout cracking. He had good reviews online so thought he'd be okay. He came and took two tiles off and found there was no waterproofing behind the tiles and water had been getting behind them.
Where the wall was next to a power shower he suggested stripping the wall, putting in waterproof boards and then putting a shower board on the wall instead of tiles. I agreed to this and he said he'd get the materials that day and then either come back the next day or start later that day. 
He phoned from the builders merchants and said the materials would cost £600 and asked me to pay for them. I have a long term illness and on that day happened to be more ill than normal so wasn't thinking clearly and stupidly transferred the money to him by bank transfer straight away. 
I have not seen him since and had six weeks of excuses. First the materials had to be ordered in, then they went to the wrong branch and had to be moved to the correct branch but they wouldn't do it till they had enough stock to make it worthwhile to travel (even though it is only 5 miles), then he finally got the materials and was going to start the next day... and the morning he rang to say he had been advised to self isolate for two weeks! Now for a week he has had trouble with his van, it was fixed so he was going to start the next day but then it wouldn't start again, the garage assured him it'd be fixed that day so he was 100% coming the next day but then it wasn't.
Currently at, that the van should be fixed today but if not the garage is going to lend him a van so he is definitely coming tomorrow. 
I know I was really stupid to pay him in advance for materials but like I said I was not well at all that day. The strange thing is that I have never rang him to chase him up. He always rings me to say he is coming but doesn't turn up and instead rings with the latest calamity. Then rings me regularly to keep me updated on the latest delay. 
I just wondered if I have given him enough time now. It seems pretty obvious that he is lying. Or maybe he just incredibly unlucky. I just don't understand if he intends to disappear with my money why he is constantly contacting me arrange to come. Surely he'd cut contact. What exactly is the end game here?
I am at the point where I just want to tell him I'd get someone else to do it. He does seem like a really nice guy though and obviously he has my money so I am worried about getting my money back. Also I have two tiles missing in my bathroom by the shower. He did cover them in plastic but I am concerned about damage. Due to my disability I need to shower regularly and couldn't manage without the shower for more than a few days.  
Anyway anyone's thoughts on whether I am just in telling him that I am sorry about his problems (if true) and I am going to get someone else to do the work and how I get my money back as I have a horrible feeling that could be hard work. 
Thanks in advance for anyone's help. 

welshmoneylover

Give your local trading standards a ring or even the CAB , they may advise you to send a 14 day letter.

Mutton_Geoff

You shouldn't need waterproofing behind the tiles. Tiles themselves are a barrier, it's only the gaps between them that could leak, so should be grouted properly. Waterproof or cement board is great, and I always use it, but it is there as a back up in case the grout leaks, not as a waterproof membrane.

Sounds like you have been a victim of fraud. I would contact him and give him 7 days to refund your money. Do you have a contact address to serve documents? A letter before action would be next.

And don't believe anything you read online regarding reviews. I wouldn't even trust an Amazon review for a toaster let alone a "Check A Trade" review etc.

mrcol1000

Mutton_Geoff said:

You shouldn't need waterproofing behind the tiles. Tiles themselves are a barrier, it's only the gaps between them that could leak, so should be grouted properly. Waterproof or cement board is great, and I always use it, but it is there as a back up in case the grout leaks, not as a waterproof membrane.

Sounds like you have been a victim of fraud. I would contact him and give him 7 days to refund your money. Do you have a contact address to serve documents? A letter before action would be next.

And don't believe anything you read online regarding reviews. I wouldn't even trust an Amazon review for a toaster let alone a "Check A Trade" review etc.

Thank you. It did seem strange they didn't waterproof it when it was converted into a wetroom by a contractor choosen by the council. No address, it was through Facebook. Just mobile and e-mail. I have found lots of decent tradespeople through Facebook previously so think may have got a little complacent. 

twopenny

It's easy to do. As it's gone this far you can justify informing him by email that you require either the goods delivered or the money.

I'd agree if you are unsure to ring CAB who are excellent and will tell you the process so you are comfortable knowing you are doing it right.

As for being a nice guy I had one, the only plumber that helped me in a crisis. Now he's the one that kept me tagging along with 'I want the job' for 2yrs! Genuine business and everyone said not to use him but I was grateful and trusted him. I'm learning but it's tough. Same position as you, need a bath for the pain but tradesmen are so busy at the moment.

Risteard

To be fair issues like the van etc. could actually be true. My van was off the road from early December until just over a week ago due to non-availability of parts etc., totalitarian shutdowns of society etc. I was in hire vans and courtesy vans for months (and at great expense). So it is possible that he's telling the truth.

Rosa_Damascena

Risteard said:

To be fair issues like the van etc. could actually be true. My van was off the road from early December until just over a week ago due to non-availability of parts etc., totalitarian shutdowns of society etc. I was in hire vans and courtesy vans for months (and at great expense). So it is possible that he's telling the truth.

Serial excuses must be reasonable and credible, and the OP has to draw a line somewhere.

dontmess666

Ah the good old broken down van excuse. If only I had a pound for every time I hear that old chestnut.

Still remember an elusive trader who cancelled same day blaming his van breaking down on the road. Only problem was I was driving along that same road whilst on phone and couldn't see him!

twopenny

Hmmm the only time my bathroom plumber rang me was when he saw me driving out of a private bathroom designing business. The look on his face was priceless as I beamed and waved and the call came the same night.

Didn't work in the long run but still made me feel some control.

Risteard

Rosa_Damascena said:

Risteard said:

To be fair issues like the van etc. could actually be true. My van was off the road from early December until just over a week ago due to non-availability of parts etc., totalitarian shutdowns of society etc. I was in hire vans and courtesy vans for months (and at great expense). So it is possible that he's telling the truth.

Serial excuses must be reasonable and credible, and the OP has to draw a line somewhere.

I didn't express an opinion as to this worker's excuses as I have no knowledge of him. But I am pointing out that society is not functioning in a normal way - and is barely functioning at all in many ways. I waited several months for a part to arrive for my van, and then had to bring it back for another part when it eventually arrived. Shutting down society has consequences.

Alter_ego

Look out for the "parts stuck in Suez" excuse next.