Extensions

Do I have to give my builders the chance to redo shoddy work?

Anonymous user 23 February 2024 - 3.14 PM

My extension was quoted as 12,then 14-16 then 18 weeks. The experienced team I thought I'd employed changed to a team of apprentices. Although I was a little concerned, I was patient and laid back throughout the build taking the line that I'd rather have a good quality build, within reasonable timescales and budget than hassle them to complete on time. My builders advised me 22 weeks into build that they were "going under" but that I was their top priority and they'd finish in 2 weeks. They disappeared off the job, coming back on odd days. 4 weeks later I called to ask if they could possibly finish the inside work within two weeks and one of the builders shouted at me that he had no manpower as he'd laid of his team; he really scared me (I'm a single female). I didn't feel able to challenge and several weeks later had to get help from a friend's husband to get them to "complete contracted work". I really struggled to get them to "finish". I chose my battles and let alot of things go (loss, damage, unfinished/shoddy work, appropriation of my property etc) and eventually offered to sub contract some of the joinery and take it off the balance to help facilitate completion (they had no competent joiner, no credit and no money). I've struggled to find a joiner to fit the internal doors and have discovered that all my door frames have been fitted too high or too wide so cannot get standard doors fitted. I've had another builder look over the job quickly who says he'd have to replace the door frames and found several other issues such as windows fitted inside out, roof leaking, badly fitted loft hatch, inadequate pointing, electrics not earthed to water or gas (contrary to part P certificate). I don't know what to do. I've lost faith in my builders. Do I have to give them the opportunity to fix or re do the work or can I insist on using another builder? I don't even know if the remaining balance will cover the work yet? Help! PS: Builders haven't actually gone under but partnership has broken down. Spoken to Consumer Advice who have said similar to Senator's reply but I'm very nervous of a) letting builder back in b) refusing builder last opportunity c) withholding payment to pay other builders. I wanted other professional opinions on what is the reasonable thing to do. Thanks