Builder Intimidating Single vulnerable Mum/Nurse

YorkshireLad1

Horrible situation and feel powerless.

She is a single mum, two young children, NHS nurse:

- She asked builder to fit a new kitchen. 

- Builder said if she buys kitchen with Howdens, she can use his tradesman discount. 

- She went with him to Howdens and picked a kitchen that was in a howdens sale.

- Howsdens came out and measured. 11 units and x3 (cheap) appliances.

She was expecting, being the kitchen was in a 'sale' and with the benefit of a 'tradesman discount' to get a great deal.

- Without her knowledge, the kitchen was delivered by Howdens. With no paperwork.

- Builder said he owes £7,500 just for the kitchen (not fitting). He said it can't be retuned either.
- She asked for paperwork, he gave a basic invoice with the word 'supply' kitchen. No howdens paperwork.

She is scared of this individual and he regularly is touchy feely/gooses her, even when her children are around, she is vulnerable. He knows that.

- she gave him £7,500 for the kitchen

- he then demanded another £7,500 to fit it.

In the end she paid him in excess of £20,000, out of fear.

This is a very basic kitchen. No brands.

He left all the rubbish, the old kitchen packaging, outside her front door - at least a skips worth. And he adds to this pile.
Said if she 'gives' him a slice of her garden, he will clear the rubbish and fit a new bathroom.

She is scared of him. 

She has attempted suicide. 

Lost all her savings and is now using food banks.

She is scared to approach him and scared of ramifications. Any advice? Loveliest lady in the world but when this all started she lost a sibling and another family member. I feel like he uses intimidation and then 'comes around' if she questions anything.

Aylesbury_Duck

This is way bigger than a consumer rights matter on a forum.  I suggest you help her get some proper advice, urgently from a GP and then perhaps from something like Citizens' Advice to help with the other elements.  There's the consumer rights angle, of course, but it sounds as if there's mental heath, personal finance and personal safety matters in play, for which she needs protection and advice.  The consumer rights element is bottom of the list of things to address at the moment.

pinkshoes

As above, she needs to speak to Citizens Advice and Trading Standards as she has clearly been taken advantage of.

£7500 is a reasonable price for a kitchen if it included appliances, although will depend on the kitchen size. Fitting would be perhaps £3000 to £4000, so he very much overcharged for that. Where did the other £5000 come from??

Your friend clearly needs to learn to make sure she gets written quotes before agreeing to things, and also being more assertive.

Hopefully citizens advice (or you?) can help her write a letter to the builder asking for a FULL breakdown of ALL costs for the build as she would like justification for the full £20k that has been paid.

Is the kitchen finished?

YorkshireLad1

Thanks for the replies.
she is getting help form her GP but she is petrified of him because he turns up and confront her when she asked for a breakdown.
For perspective, I looked at the 3 applicances she has and they cost under £400 combined, then its 11 plain white units, a basic sink, chipboard counter - that's it.

Aylesbury_Duck

YorkshireLad1 said:

Thanks for the replies.
she is getting help form her GP but she is petrified of him because he turns up and confront her when she asked for a breakdown.
For perspective, I looked at the 3 applicances she has and they cost under £400 combined, then its 11 plain white units, a basic sink, chipboard counter - that's it.

Can you be there with her when she needs to deal with him?

YorkshireLad1

I have offered to be there but she said he will likely walk out and come back unexpectedly. 

Aylesbury_Duck

In which case, I would recommend that she speak to CA and Trading Standards.  From the sounds of it, the more engagement she has with him, the more risk there is of her handing over more money or complicating the situation further.

Pensioner2023

This is bigger than consumer rights... he is threatening her... try the police??

Ergates

If goosing means what it used to mean, then he's also assaulting her.

YorkshireLad1

grabbing her, telling her he loves her, saying if she was with him she wouldn't have to pay for anything and he'd give her a monthly allowance (kind of confirming he knows she is hard up)

calleyw

There are two different parts to this.  One which is civil which is the kitchen which others have touched on.  The other is her own safety. She needs to call 101 as well.  And have a chat with the police.  If she is infear of her own safety which is seems that she feels,  then that needs to be dealt with.  if he is touching her without her consent thats assault.  And no one deserves to be afraid of every knock on the door.  Get a video door bell.  And only talk to him through an upstairs window and do not open door the door to him when/if he comes around.