Building contractor demanding payment after I gave two weeks notice

bubsha

Please could you advise. We had written a contract for an extension which shd have finished second week Nov 21. But it has been dragging on and still not finished. I have given a 14days notice and now they want me to pay for plastering which is not finished. I have been paying their invoices but now i need them to finish and provide building reg approval before I pay the rest. They have sent me a nonpayment email. Am the only one whoes  been dealing with them as my husband works all hours. Its been very stressful and am not sure where to turn to. I told them that onece all work is complete I will pay. Have already paid 90%. I would appreciate any guidance.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

They'd have to take you to court to force payment which will take ages so by then they either should have finished the job and you will have paid or they won't have finished and won't have a case.

If you've paid 90% how much work would you say is left?

Best thing to do is ask the builder to have a sit down for a chat and work things out amicably, a happy worker is a busy worker and all that but equally I wouldn't be happy paying in full and being left with an unfinished job and no leverage.

bubsha

There is still few plumbing, concrete plinth, drainage and electrical works, as well as the gas and electric and building reg approval to come. I still haven't got a kitchen with 3 kids and now am isolating with my youngest and communicating only through phone. They have a list of works outstanding and refuses to send me what they plan to do.

pinkshoes

What did your contract with them say about payment? Was it agreed the final 10% would be paid upon completion and the building regs signed off?

I would WRITE to them (email is fine) stating that they had informed you the building work would be finished by end of November 2021, it is now 3.5 months past this deadline, and could they please confirm if they can or cannot finish the work in the next 2 weeks.

I would then list the work that needs doing, and state that you are more than happy to pay them the final 10% balance once the work is completed.

cx6

Don't even think of paying until the work has been finished. Seriously.

If it drags on, get an estimate from another builder to finish the work and tell the original builder if they don't finish then you will deduct the quote of the second builder from their invoice.

bubsha

Thank you all, I felt really lost and had enough, sometimes feeling very intimidated by them because I have been paying them all the invoices as work has been finishing even though with so much delay. I have given written 14 day notice and will put my foot down and request they finish all work and then keep some back for the certification to come through. They make me feel like am breaking rules.
Feeling a lot better after all above advice

prowla

Once you've paid, you are history to them.

If they've quoted for a job then it's up to them to complete it if they want payment.

Four months seems to be a more than reasonable amount of leeway to have given them to do the job.

diggingdude

I would be inviting another builder round for quotes to finish and not paying any more at this stage. There is no acceptable excuse you have listed for such a delay in completing 

unholyangel

cx6 said:

Don't even think of paying until the work has been finished. Seriously.

If it drags on, get an estimate from another builder to finish the work and tell the original builder if they don't finish then you will deduct the quote of the second builder from their invoice.

The only caveat I'd add to that is the amount being withheld should be relative to the amount cost to put the remaining works right. And to get more than 1 estimate.and go by the middle or average. 

So if another company would cost £6000 to put it right, the amount you're withholding should be of the same or similar amount.