Think I've been taken advantage of

ActingUp

I am a carer for my husband who had a stroke and now has dementia. We live in a 300 year old cottage (not listed). I arranged for someone to come round to give me a quote to clear my gutters out. He offered me a discount for cleaning the roof at the same time. Long story short, he 'became' our friend, he ingratiated himself into our household. I know nothing about house maintenance, my husband used to deal with all that stuff. He asked for a £3000 deposit, this included the cost of the scaffolding (£660). He promised to send me a receipt but never did. He said the porch over the front door was rotten, it needed rebuilding and retiling. Then he said he would add some little jobs, new security light, electrical socket in garden etc. Then he said one of my dormers needed rebuilding as it was rotten inside and may bring the roof down. Then the second dormer apparently was worse and that needed rebuilding too.  I refused to do the third smaller dormer. He then replaced the downstairs toilet. All this cost me £35k and £10k of that was paid in cash. My bathroom floor needed to be replaced, we have a wet room. He requested £2500 deposit and would return in a few months to complete. 
When he returned, he said the floor needed to be completely replaced, the tiles on the walls needed to be tiled over or replaced, we would have to have a quadrant shower cubicle instead of our wet room. He then said the flooring on the landing outside the bathroom would also need replacing as it would be rotten too (don't know how he can see under the carpet!). The sink, toilet and bath were to remain. He said this would all cost me between £9k & £11k. I eventually called my son as I was getting very stressed and he put a complete halt to everything. 
Since then we have had a quote for £3k to fit a shower tray, new shower screen and new flooring. Which we have accepted from another builder.

We are now asking for our £2500 deposit back and requested receipts for monies paid (bank transfer) and invoices for all the works he has completed. 

He is being very hostile to my son (who is dealing with him in a respectful and polite manner), but he is refusing to repay my deposit and is very reluctant to supply paperwork for works already completed.  He is not VAT registered but on one of his text messages to me, he asked for an amount of money plus VAT!

I know I have been silly in trusting this person, so don't need to be told that. But do I have any comeback in getting my deposit back please? 

Murmansk

Contact Trading Standards and/or your local Citizens Advice

tacpot12

Do you have Home Insurance? If so, check to see if you have Legal Expenses cover. If you do, you can call the Legal Helpline provided by your insurer for help. 

housebuyer143

Did you pay anything on credit card? 

Brie

I agree with the others' advice and just wanted to add that you are not alone in having this happen.  There are a lot of underhanded people about willing to take advantage, can string a good story and don't care that you are someone that may be vulnerable for whatever reason.  I'm so glad you talked to your son about it and he's available to help.