Help - advice needed re builders bill

Tom_Jones

So it doesn't matter that this painter probably did the job in good faith then ? albiet after a long timescale, and he certainly should have contacted the lady.

As a builder it does make me sick that 'customers' agree to work, mainly extra work, then try to wiggle out of paying. I've lost thousands from people who refuse to pay at the end of the job even with paperwork signed agreeing to the work. It ain't worth the hassle taking people to court for a couple of hundred quid, what taking the day off work maybe involving subcontarctors, who's wages you have to pay, that's why extra work is money upfront with me nowadays.

No doubt the painter will write it off as a bad debt. Personally I believe my suggestion of 50% of the cost is a reasonable one for any decent person, and don't forget painters are the lowest paid trade in building.

gallygirl

Sorry Tom Jones but I have to strongly disagree, and also resent that you think I am trying to get out of paying.

Firstly, I paid this builder over £1000 for 4 other jobs last year, carried out in a 'timely manner' and to a good standard. I am acutely aware of the problems faced by small builders etc, and always pay on receipt of bill, I even offer to pay cash if they want at time of completion.

Secondly, this is over a year since the first quote - and he hasn't done what he quoted for - 3 coats of paint, but all work was done on one day - 3 coats not possible. Not only not in 'timely manner', but not what he was originally contracted to do.

Thirdly, had he phoned I would have told him not to go ahead - not just because I'd decided to go for UPVC, but because he let me down on so many occasions, even when he had said he would be doing the job that day. I have enough stress in my life without courting unreliable builders.

So under the circumstances I have no intention of paying for unauthorised and substandard work.

gallygirl

For those of you interested --- after tooing & froing of correspondence I offered as a goodwill gesture to pay for his materials, he phoned & said he wanted to see me.

He's just been round, I stuck to my guns and said work wasn't carried out in a reasonable time therefore we didn't have a contract. He said he would remove 'his property' but I said he did not have my permission to go on my property, and that I had offered to pay for his materials. He has reluctantly agreed and gone off in a huff. I think he realised during our conversation that he wouldn't have a leg to stand on if he went down the small claims route.

So I've got what I wanted and am proud of myself for not being intimidated ... but can't help feeling abit sorry for him... fact remains though this is all his own fault.

PS.... there is a big blister on the paint work!!!! I told him I did NOT want him to fix it!!!!!

dandydeels

just a thought- why not sue him first for criminal damage- surely you had changed your mind about the colour in a year! :-)

gallygirl

Dandydeels how dare you!!!! Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I keep changing my mind!!!!

Once a pink porch always a pink porch......:rotfl: