Extensions

Quality of finish and over-run extension project

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.04 PM

Need some urgent advice on how to deal with my builders as I'm unhappy with the quality and time it is taking them to complete a relatively simple project. Work on my extension began on 2nd week of August 2013 and was supposed to finish 1st November 2013. Almost 7 weeks later work still hasn't finished. Work started off brilliantly from foundation to the flat roof going up. At 8 weeks, this is when building work started slowing down and excuses of materials not arriving as well as lack of labourers on site to complete work began. The individual we employed to do this work came recommended by friends and we had seen the work he carried out before we employed him. Now, we were not aware of how he operated until we were soon to discover that he doesn't have his own team of builders but contract work to other subcontractors who have their own team of skilled (i use lightly) labourers to complete jobs. There was a period of 2 to 3 weeks where nothing was really happening when I decided to stop the regular payments we had agreed on contract, and keep the outstanding balance until the work was completed and building control signed the work off. We were then surprised and alarmed when one of the labourers asked me if we had actually been paying Mr X money for the build as he and the other guys hadn't been paid by him. At which point alarm bells began ringing and I had to prove to them that Mr X actually signed for every cash payment we had given him up to that point. This is when we asked to have a meeting with Mr X and confronted him in front of the builders to prove to them that payments had been made and he was just putting money in his pocket. I'm rambling on and I could say more, but there are so many cock and bull stories between then and now I would just be boring you. Now I am just so frustrated because I'm not sure whether to sack the team and get new contractors to finish the job or to a keep giving them ultimatums until the finish the work agreed! There is loads still to do....had to pay kitchen fitters to correct their mistakes costing me £1500. Plaster work not finished, electrics exposed not finished, roof flashing which have not been completed since roof went up a couple of months back. I'm continually been asked they need parts for this and that because Mr X hasn't ordered them. They tell us that we are giving them extra work to do which has not been agreed on contract. The internal work so far is average to say the list and there is not one area which is actually ready. Is there anybody who can advise as the whole experience is affecting my entire family. Many Thanks Onafets

Anonymous user

Hi there! Call in TRADING STANDARDS NOW. I hear of these cowboys everywhere, and talking to this idiot will get you nothing but an unfinished job. I hope you're not in Wales as there are several muppets doing the same thing here. Also stop payments until the work is completed and signed off by the inspectors. Happy New Year. Andy

Answered4 January 2014

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C&C Construction

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St Albans

Sounds fishy on both parts eg Cash payments so that sounds as if no vat has been paid on the works and the builder has quoted very low for what works your actually after to get themselves the work, they now need to get more money from you as you had an unrealistic budget by the sound of it, anyway answer is sack them off nicely and get a quote from a reliable builder who is qualified and will have a contract (means paying the going rate though) then everything will run smoothly.

Answered21 June 2021

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