Loft Conversion

How to deal with a cowboy builder trying to avoid any form of communication

Anonymous user 16/03/2024 - 2.50 PM

A builder carried out some roofing works during a dormer loft conversion project. At first I thought the works looked OK and never realised how bad the standard of the works were until issues started to arise 3 months after the build was completed. Damaged roof and dormer cheek tiles, leaky roof during the very cold and icy periods, no timber battens supporting the top roof tiles at the front, damaged fascia boards due to strong winds, draughts and air gaps on the dormer soffit board, substandard verge boards, exposed timber at the eaves, damaged gutter down pipes, roof and dormer cheek tiles not nailed I had a roof surveyor survey the roof based on my concerns above. He confirmed that the builder who constructued the roof wasn't a roof specialist which was the reason for the poor quality of job for which most of the problems were exposed by strong winds. He was able to uncover further defects with the roof. Went further to obtain quotes from professional roofers with the realistic average cost set at £15,000 to strip down the whole roofing and re-install from scratch. Took me almost 3 months to do this. Tried establishing contact with the builder to discuss the quote by the various methods but these proved unsuccessful. 1. Mobile phone calls but these went straight through to voicemail. 2. WhatsApp phone messages through the same number but confirmed that the builder blocked my number 3. Letter by recorded delivery to the address of the builder. This was received and signed at the address. I was surprised the letter was returned advising that the builder no longer resides at the address after opening the letter and reading the contents. Based on the above, I have established that there is a fraudulent pattern adopted by the builder in trying not to establish communication with me. I am unsure if I should go to the Police and report this as fraud. I am still looking for ways to track the builder but it appears he is determined not to receive any form of correspondence from myself. The Citizens Advice Bureau advised that I continue to send letters to the builders address but it appears he will redirect them back to my address advising that they do not reside there. I am been owed £15,000 and have been some sort of stress, the same is applicable to another client who lives 2 streets away from mine. Please kindly advise as I will appreciate your comments. Many thanks in advance.