Scaffold nightmare

Dogwalker

I've found myself in a bit of a situation and would like some advice.

A scaffolder is due to erect scaffolding around my property for building work. The majority has been done but he has not returned to complete a section which is now holding up the project significantly. The builder is pulling his hair out and I'm so stressed its making me ill.

The scaffolder turns up when he likes, does a bit and then disappears and promises to come back to finish. This has been the routine since 17 August.

The builder (and me) have been phoning other companies to see if they can help but they don't want to get involved with someone else's scaffold.

So it seems we are at the mercy of the scaffolder to finish.

I've already paid the scaffolder some money - as completed some parts but he now wants the final payment which I have refused until the job is complete.

I dont believe he has the scaffold that is needed to finish the job as when he does turn up he hardly has any stuff with him - not enough to finish the job.

What can I do?

tacpot12

If you have home insurance, check to see if you have legal expenses cover. If you do, give the legal helpline a call. They should be able to give you some advice. If you don't have this cover, give a local solicitor a call and ask for advice. They may be prepared to give you some advice for free, in the hope that you  will use them to sue the scaffolder. 

Your only other option is to pay the scaffolder to finish the work. Use a local solicitor to hold his money until it is erected. I expect you will have trouble getting the scaffold taken down though. 

TELLIT01

Do not pay another penny until the job is complete is the obvious first action.  Speak to your builder to see if he knows another scaffolding firm who could do the work and, once identified, give the current one x days to complete the job or remove all his scaffolding.  Demand a full refund and if that isn't forthcoming take him to the small claims court.

Dogwalker

TELLIT01 said:

Do not pay another penny until the job is complete is the obvious first action.  Speak to your builder to see if he knows another scaffolding firm who could do the work

Thank you

I've been very firm with him that I'm not paying the remaining until the job is done.

The builder is trying to call in favours (he's been brilliant) but lots wont touch another gangs scaff

I know the builder has now kicked him off his next job as he's been so unreliable which is wrecking his reputation.

Doozergirl

This is the state of things at the moment.  I really feel for you and your builder. 

Demand is high and unfortunately that makes a lot of people greedy.  Whether the scaffolder has taken on too much work deliberately, or whether he's held up on other jobs being held by people who have taken on too much, it will be one of the two. 

In order to maintain some semblance of quality and to protect our mental health, we've actually had to reduce our workload because nothing turns up on time anymore.  

A bit of honesty helps, but nothing is reliable at the moment, even the people who are usually reliable.  It all
knocks on.  

FreeBear

Dogwalker said: The builder is trying to call in favours (he's been brilliant) but lots wont touch another gangs scaff

With good reason - There is a whole bunch of 'elf'n'safety rules & regulations surrounding scaffolding. If another crew started to add/modify the scaffold, it opens up a real big can of worms around liability.

Dogwalker

Doozergirl said:

This is the state of things at the moment.  I really feel for you and your builder. 

Thank you - its been a complete nightmare from day 1. I just wish I sent him packing after phase 1 and started again.

I'm doing this all on my own (female) so I think he thinks he can just do as he likes. The builder has his gang have all been brilliant and have done their best but the job cant continue now until the scaffolder has done his bit. I think he has got a nerve holding up other trades

Section62

FreeBear said:

Dogwalker said: The builder is trying to call in favours (he's been brilliant) but lots wont touch another gangs scaff

With good reason - There is a whole bunch of 'elf'n'safety rules & regulations surrounding scaffolding. If another crew started to add/modify the scaffold, it opens up a real big can of worms around liability.

+1 to this.  Just removing someone else's scaffolding involves a bunch of paperwork and safety assessments, which is difficult if you don't have access to the information the other company have.

Unless the first scaffolder sees sense, it could be difficult to resolve this without some 'legal' involvement.

Doozergirl

Dogwalker said:

Doozergirl said:

This is the state of things at the moment.  I really feel for you and your builder. 

Thank you - its been a complete nightmare from day 1. I just wish I sent him packing after phase 1 and started again.

I'm doing this all on my own (female) so I think he thinks he can just do as he likes. The builder has his gang have all been brilliant and have done their best but the job cant continue now until the scaffolder has done his bit. I think he has got a nerve holding up other trades

It isn't because you're a female.   We're actually terrifying.  I think we generally get the most respect.  

I don't often experience sexism on site.  If I do, they very quickly know about it.  

travis-powers

Doozergirl said:

Dogwalker said:

Doozergirl said:

This is the state of things at the moment.  I really feel for you and your builder. 

Thank you - its been a complete nightmare from day 1. I just wish I sent him packing after phase 1 and started again.

I'm doing this all on my own (female) so I think he thinks he can just do as he likes. The builder has his gang have all been brilliant and have done their best but the job cant continue now until the scaffolder has done his bit. I think he has got a nerve holding up other trades

It isn't because you're a female.   We're actually terrifying.  I think we generally get the most respect.  

I don't often experience sexism on site.  If I do, they very quickly know about it.  

Honestly I always like to deal with the female of the house, knows exactly what she wants, understands yes you can have that but it will cost more and if she’s unhappy soon let you know!

stuart45

Many jobs are taking longer than normal at the moment, so it's quite likely that all his plant is out and he can't get it back yet.