Taking bathroom fitter to court?

Skuk

Hi all (sorry for the long story)

I hired a plumber to fit my bathroom starting 8th June for a job which he stated would take approx. 10 days. As my flat is empty I gave him a key to let himself in. I would check in and pay him in instalments when asked. He text to say he was almost done 10th July and would come back 11th July to clear the rubbish and clean. At this point I made the final payment instalment and also paid him £400 to buy the material to fit radiators as a further job. 

I met him outside the flat and unfortunately he handed me over the keys and left immediately as he said he had a family emergency. 

I entered my flat to a complete mess in every room. His clothes, tools, cigarettes, moulding food and all sorts were left by him. He had gone through my only box of items and used my paint, materials and brushes and left them unusable.  My brand new spot lights in the bathroom (not installed by him) no longer worked. The bathroom was unfinished and there were no new radiators in sight. He said he would come back to sort everything out and once he’s returned the radiators he would refund me. 

To top everything off he incorrectly fitted the radiator so it was leaking significantly under the floor boards so all the tiles he fitted on the floor were ripped out as they were so badly fitted and we had to get to the leak. Also this is the third leak since he’s been working on the bathroom.

I now have a new bathroom company finishing off the bathroom and they’ve explained the many incorrect parts he’s fitted and the future issues I will have. 

It’s cost me over £1k to fix the errors he’s made so far. He’s agreed to give me the £400 back for the radiators when he picks up his things but it’s been weeks and he hasn’t come and he’s stopped responding to my messages.

What chance do I have to take this to court and recover my losses? I’ve served him with an intent to take to court letter and he doesn’t seem bothered. 

Thank you!

ItsComingRome

You can certainly take it to court and it sounds like you have a reasonable chance of winning, but bear in mind even if you do win that doesn't mean you'll get your money back.

Getting and enforcing a CCJ can be throwing good money after bad if the trader knows what they're doing.

Laz123

I can't understand why you paid him the final payment, or indeed any of them, before checking up on the workmanship.