1 week into home renovation / extension - should we pull the plug already?

NSG666

Sorry to hear this - a turn of events I certainly wasn't expecting. Some good advice already so just some additions to what has been said.

Despite no legal protection it's got to be worth putting a call into your insurers at this stage just in case there is some serious damage caused by water ingress before you get chance to have it made water tight. At worst it's cost you a bit of time to make the call.

Take loads of photos today of how things have been left, the steel/pad stone situation you mentioned, the current condition of any areas that might suffer from rain damage and anything else that might be useful to support any future claim.

Unless you manage to get some legal advice today telling you otherwise, it might be worthwhile dropping your builder a carefully worded email to confirm your understanding of the current situation in particular that he has said he will not be returning to complete the job or make it waterproof rather that you having booted him off the job. Perhaps say that you'd like him to come and make the building water-tight then there is no ambiguity that he knows it leaks.

BlueC

@Doozergirl thanks for all comments its been really useful to have your views on this situation.

In terms of approaching a solicitor etc I don't think I have it in me for the fight. I don't like conflict. I just want the whole thing to go away. We signed up to have some work done so we could have a nice space for our young family to grow up in. We never signed up for a legal fight.

We're going to speak to some roofers today. I don't know whether the roof is repairable or whether we might have to have an entire new roof.

Thanks to whoever mentioned the scaffolding too. I had already wondered whether we might go for a protective scaffold. It's an avenue that needs exploring.

Doozergirl

I'm really not suggesting a legal fight - he won't be that clever anyway.  You need to get a roof on it straight away and he is your best bet, sadly.  If you can fond someone else, that's brilliant, but not many people are going to be able to drop everything and come.  

Don't be paying him a penny, by the way! He can do that legal bit himself.   You do need to get things documented and even if he doesn't fix your roof, the solicitors letter will set you up to rebuke any future requests for payment.  

Bendy_House

BlueC - I know the feeling, the weight on your shoulders, the cramp in the stomach, the utter disbelief that someone could act like this, the stress.

I promise you - as soon as you act in the correct way to sort this, the weight will start to lift. Well done for having informed your insurance company that you were having work done (reminds me that I didn't...), so call them up now and inform them of the situation. They have an 'interest' in what's happening, and should be able to advise how to proceed.

If you don't act in the right way - if you try and just forget what this guy has done and hope that will simply be the end of it with him - I fear you will be bitterly disappointed. And that extra being wronged is going to feel even more hellish.

Once you get legal advice - whether from your insurance company (they will almost certainly still give your 'advice'), direct from a local solicitor, or even CAB (but, good luck...) - and they say "Ok. We understand. This is what you need to do...", you will be in a much better place.

mama4321

I have no wise words but I am horrified that you have been left like this just wanted to give some virtual moral support.  I cannot begin to imagine what your builder is thinking when you are so clearly not at any fault here.   I hope that as you start to implement some of the suggestions above - just slowly one at a time, that you will be able to feel yourself gaining some control over the situation.  All good wishes for you and your family going forward.

Section62

BlueC said:

Thanks to whoever mentioned the scaffolding too. I had already wondered whether we might go for a protective scaffold. It's an avenue that needs exploring.

I mentioned it, and see getting it sorted as a priority over all else because if the builder was responsible for having it installed he can (and may already have) inform(ed) the hire company that it is no longer needed and they can remove it whenever they like.

If the scaffold company have other jobs to use it on they can start the removal as soon as their customer has given the go ahead.

If you aren't the customer they don't need to consult you or get your permission to dismantle and remove their equipment from your property. You can't stop them doing that, unless you are (or become) the customer yourself.

You may need the builder's cooperation to arrange this (and ultimately agree how the cost to date has/will be billed to you) so if it was me I would 'play nice' with the builder at least until the status of the scaffolding is secured.


You also need to consider whether there is any other plant or equipment in use that belongs to the builder (or hired by him) which can't be removed without causing further problems.  For example, if that new steel beam is currently being supported by acrows then you need to ensure they aren't removed until the structure is safe and secure.  The same thing applies to any other equipment.

Section62

Doozergirl said:

Don't be paying him a penny, by the way! He can do that legal bit himself.   You do need to get things documented and even if he doesn't fix your roof, the solicitors letter will set you up to rebuke any future requests for payment.  

I suspect he will use the current state of the roof as leverage to extract payment for all the materials and work done to date, and won't lift a finger until he's been paid up front.

Even if he does agree to come back to repair the holes I'm not sure I'd trust a contractor who was willing to just up and go, when the opportunity to 'reset' the relationship was offered and was the obvious way forward for both sides.

GlasgowExpat2

Does your company have an Employee Assistance Programme as they may be able to give you free legal advice. 

bbat

I'm so sorry this has happened. I can't imagine how you must be feeling and I'm shocked that someone would walk away like that leaving the house exposed. Looks like other have made some good suggestions. Good luck with it.

BlueC

Thanks for all the advice and support everyone. Apologies that I don't have time to respond to everyone in person but everyone's messages are much appreciated.

Fortunately we have been able to call on the FIL to come and he's been a great help in getting it more watertight. Over the past day and a half we've taken down the frame they built as the uprights meant getting it watertight was impossible. The amount of water coming in this morning was horrifying! We have managed to get some visqueen up and hopefully done a reasonable job of securing it down. It looks a lot better than it did but I am not confident if there was high winds or a storm. Hopefully it will be ok. Neighbours must think we're nuts.

We have called loads of roofers and one has visited already. To say he didn't know what to make of it is an understatement! He was quite taken aback at the whole situation and the absolute mess we've been left in. He talked positively though so we are holding a little hope there that he might be able to fix it. Need a couple more options though in case they can't do it.

Home insurance company (Direct Line) were hopeless, just not interested. Think I have got agreement for the scaffolding to be transferred to us but I need to clarify and confirm this tomorrow. Have taken some photos although there's not much to see, Have a video of the water ingress.

Feeling a bit better this evening than yesterday or this morning. It's been a shock to the system.