My builder has done a refurb in my house and took 7 months 3 rooms
Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 2.39 PM
The standard of work is awful. Parts of the kitchen are held together with mastic, parts of the kitchen is random bits of White board painted the same colour as the kitchen to make it look like it's part of the kitchen, parts of the kitchen is plastic boards to fill sections of the kitchen, the tiles are not even parts raised so high you can stub your toe on them, grout everywhere all over the untis skirting, cupboard back panels ones White ones brown, 1000 unit and 500 unit not level to the celling, floor tiles not cut straight and that's just the kitchen. On my last count there is 87 problems in three rooms. I haven't paid he's final balance and he has already had £4800. I have photos of all problems to keep on file.
Question- can I take the builder to court to claim the money we have already paid cause materials and standards of workman ship is shocking.
Please help
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
Sorry to hear you have endured a bad experience at the hands of your "builder".
Please try all you can to address the problems you have with the builder.
If you go to court or take legal advise you will hit a brick wall as you are required by law to give the builder "reasonable time & access to carry out all remedial works".
If you have notified the builder that you were unhappy with his work over the course of the project (in writing) then he should make "resonable effort to correct all disputed work" in accordance with your contract.
Do the following:
Make a list of all the items you are unhappy with.
Get 3 advice and if possible a report and quotes from other reputable builders to correct the items. (You may have to pay for these).
Write to your builder with a copy of your list asking that he corrects the items.
If he refuses to correct the works then you are able to deduct the cost of rectifying the work from any outstanding monies you owe to him.
If you just withold money without doing the above you will be in breach of contract.
I know it's difficult as you have lost confidence in your builder and have had a project which has left you feeling dissatisfied but the best way forward is always to try to sort it directly with the builder.
Involving trading standards/ courts/ watchdog/ CAB/ rogue traders/ etc will only take up more time and money and prolong the bad experience. At the end of the day you want closure so be prepared to compromise a little to get to an acceptable result.
If you want any further advice with this please feel free to get in touch.
Regards
Holbex Design.
Answered18 September 2011
3
Anonymous user
Sounds like you paid him £4800 to much, you should have stopped him before it got this far.
Best to get a QS in to assess and quantify the works, you will need this done if you are taking him to court.
Until then, dont pay any more money.
Answered13 September 2011
2
Anonymous user
In response to your shocking story, and shocking it is 7 months for 3 rooms. I would get another trade’s person to have a look at the work that has been carried out. I would then get the new trade’s person to quote again to make good all of the unsatisfactory works .I would then send the quote to the company /tradesperson that was originally hired to complete the work, requesting payment. If you don’t have any joy with that then takes them to a small claims court (that can take up to a year though) and is a long drawn out process. Good luck! i hope this has been helpful.
Answered13 September 2011
2
Anonymous user
You can take this cowboy to court,where he will most probably be found in breach of contract and ordered to pay back some of your money.Getting the money out of him will be another matter because these type of guys usually dont have 2 pennies to rub together.You should certainly not part with any more money until you are satisfied with the workmanship.In the meantime,i wish you luck.
Answered13 September 2011
2
Anonymous user
Hi,
You can but, they will wonder why you have employed him for so long? It doesn't make sense if the workmanship is so bad, to keep using him.
I would get a quote from a reputable builder to put the workmanship right. Then talk to the existing builder about your concerns with the workmanship, and that you're not happy paying him, and would prefer to use another builder to rectify it which will cost X amount first. If this doesn't help and you cant sort it amicably, then seek legal advice.
The builder can counter claim, if he thinks he is in the right etc
Hope this helps
