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Loft Conversion

I signed a JCT contract and a separate agreement/in writing be changed a month before completion?

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 3.41 PM

The builder wrote an email exactly one month before completion when about 75% has been paid and substantial amount of work needs to be done. The builder has not sent workers 3 weeks. The first due to Covid isolations - the other two in my opinion to create delay and pressure. He sent an email indicating 40% increase in cost of labor and materials and now after receiving a substantial amount of payments wants to change the terms or reduce the scope of work so that important items like a bathroom and cellar are left out. Everything was discussed in detail, payments were made punctually, and now he wants to change the terms of the contract?? Mentions that he cannot work for nothing. Yet he has accepted close to 70K in payments from May to July. At the time of the contract which was late April everything was agreed and he was pleased with the terms. I feel very let down and coerced. I even realised that since the team has not worked at all in three weeks at all and now with this demands to increase the contract such a large 35-40%, the terms/completion will not be fulfilled. If I have to leave the house in September for this to be done, I will have to pay rent which will be very expensive as I have children and a dog. I have lost trust now and communication has broken down. He acts as if I am unreasonable - but we have a contract and terms were set for payments, work, delivery dates. Is that not relevant in the building industry? Can terms of a contract change so close to completion? If the builder is in trouble for whatever reason - is it allowed to demand terms and not let the crew work? Also, what should I do if the amount of my payments and what should have been completed has been done? We have details of what each part of the work includes but I trusted him so I did not ask to include dates and valuation or checking delivery of work each time I made payment. I believe we are massively behind and he has already used the funds as he indicates a cash flow issue....but I pay punctually all that was stipulated. I would like to have the opinion of some professionals as I am really flabbergasted by the fact the contract seems like a useless piece of paper. Thanks

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6 Answers

Anonymous user

The price of materials has jumped massively since April, have you not been reading the news or listening to radio, or seen posts on social media about the issue etc? Therefore the original materials budget won’t cover the same level of work, as it did before this isn’t the builders fault. It’s not your fault either, it’s the government fault for allowing furlough to go on for too long, and for borrowing too much money, for having another unnecessary lockdown too many, making inflation rise to scary levels, I also think raw materials companies & industrial suppliers are withhold stock to create more of a demand to keep raising prices. But why should the builder work for nothing or pay for your project out of his own project, their no business sense in that? His got bills to pay himself and family to provide for too I imagine, if they’re no money on the job and it’s not his fault I’d do the same. Getting quality staff at the moment is a real issue, and people won’t work for the same wages anymore either, as everything is going up. It’s a vicious cycle, something has got to give.. To put it into context I could buy two bundles of roof batten this time last year for £60 give or take, four weeks ago £80, two weeks ago £105. Timber, concrete and steel, UPVC plastics etc have all gone up. I’d advise listening to your builder and scaling back the project to be back into budget, or put your hand in your pocket to fund your project properly with the new materials costs, you can’t expect someone to earn nothing and fund your project. Food for thought for you. Regards Frankie BT Roofing Services Limited
Answered4 August 2021
6

Anonymous user

I’m afraid you made the mistake of not having a surveyor to authorise stage payments, and you have paid too much for Works completed.I would employ a quantity surveyor to assess the work which has been done,if you have advanced to much money let your builder know the outcome and ask for his comments. Doubt though you will get any back.
Answered6 August 2021
0

Weathertight lofts

Rating: 5 out of 5
Epping
Hi I fully understand your situation but all materials have increased in price by as much as 130% in a year Being a builder over this last year has been difficult to say the least as materials have a price increase on the 1st of every month and it is difficult to honour a price set even 2 months previous We as builders are having to go back to clients that have excepted estimates and telling them that the price has increased by around 10 % each month. This is not down to the builder it is due to import costs and manufacturing issues
Answered7 August 2021
0

Anonymous user

If he has signed a JCT contract then he has to abide by there terms set out Materials have risen dramatically but labour costs haven't. You need to show some leeway due to material costs but if you don't want to, if he quoted when you signed the contract then he is liable. Please read the contract thougoughly and this will explain where you stand. If he is any federation or governing body speak to them and they will take it up for you You need everything on email, phone calls are no evidence of what's taken place
Answered7 August 2021
0

J-C Roofing Services

Rating: 5 out of 5
Stockton On Tees
Hi, a signed contract can not be altered unless all parties agree BUT check the agreement.
Answered7 February 2024
0