Builder wants paying in full but don't consider work to be completed

Ella_fella

Had my bathroom replaced last week, builder texted me late last night to say work is finished for now, new towel radiator brackets aren't great so he will reorder another one and let me know when it arrives, unit is on the wall and looks ok to me.

So he texts backs today and asks if I can pay him for the job minus 100 quid for the towel rail as he needs the money for materials for a job on Monday. I'm suspicious that he won't come back and there are still things that I consider not to be finished for example a large hole in the wall near to the toilet waste outlet he's made, there are large gaps around the side of the skirting board as he's cut the vinyl too short and haven't even tried the sink and shower yet as he advised to leave them due to the sealant drying.

I've texted back and asked if he considers the work to be finished apart from the towel rail and asked for an invoice for the works, not sure what I should do now? Any advice would be gratefully received.

Barny1979

Ball is in his court, see what his response back, if he considers it done, respond with your snagging points.

kazwookie

Send a list of items you are not happy with

Ask for his timeline to come and fix said items

Then keep back xx £ you think would cover the items that need work for someone else if need be to come and fix.

greyteam1959

I need the money for a job on Monday.
What a sob story.
Tell him politely to finish the job then you will pay him in full.
Otherwise he will disappear on you.
Guaranteed.

twopenny

If he needs the money for a job on Monday then let him ask his client for the money for materials for his job.

It's not your responsibility to pay for someone elses materials if your work isn't complete.

The holes etc, was the finishing of this part of the work agreed on your quote? I had one who came and said I'd have to find a builder to fix the small and easy boxing in of pipes with drywall. Not what I wanted but at least he was up front about it.

If he's cut the flooring too short then that is his responsibility because he's undertaken the task.

Rosa_Damascena

Have you paid your builder anything thus far? I can understand him asking for the money if he hasn't seen anything, but otherwise 50% is fair and should act as an incentive for him to come back.

eastmidsaver

full payment should only be for when works are fully completed.
as suggested above by another poster,  make a clear list of what still needs doing or correcting.
and maybe only consider making payment for the works that you are satisfied with, which i think is fair.
also as pointed out by a user above, many builders will ask their clients to get materials.

Alfrescodave

Ella_fella said:

I've texted back and asked if he considers the work to be finished apart from the towel rail a

I don't understand this comment - it's not a question and answers session. Tell him what you want  doing in order to finish the job to your satisfaction. In fact these discussions should have been happening during the work, so that they could be rectified straightaway, not as a "snagging" process