Hello nice Mumsnet people,
My name is Cliff, and I always spend my time reading your threads, but never posted anything myself. Though, this time something horrible happened, and I have nobody to talk to.
I own a shop in Kentish Town which I am renovating. After getting quotes from several contractors, I chose this company called Builders London Ltd, because their quote was the cheapest. They quoted me £39,807 for the whole job.
Initially, I was afraid when they asked me to pay a £5000+VAT deposit, but I paid anyway because I felt that I have no choice. Fortunatley, they got on their way, and work progressed to my relief. The following week, work progressed, and they asked for another £5000, and the following week, another £5000, and so on. Because work was progressing nicely, I started to trust them, and just paid whatever and whenever they asked. They then asked for cash, and because I started to trust them, and regarded the main guy, Spencer as a friend, I just did what he asked for.
This is when things got bad. I had to go for a holiday for 2 weeks, so Spencer said that he was scheduled to complete the job within these 2 weeks, and so asked for the rest of the money. I was slightly afraid again, but at the same time trusted him. By then I had already paid £31,000, with the job about 1/2 done. I did question why did the work slow down, but he explained that the last parts would be done quickly, and he promised that it would be complete upon my return.
I said that I couldn't give the full amount, so we agreed I give an additional £6,000, with the final £3807 upon completion, and so I paid. By this stage, I have paid £37,000(out of the £39,807) in total, and the job was about 1/2 done.
Of course, when I came back, nothing happened, and I tried contacting Spencer, which he initially responded, promising that he would turn up, but now is completely uncontactable.
As such, I have paid £37,000. I wouldn't say that I was cheated of the whole amount, but I definitely overpaid by about £17,000 with no way of contacting the contractor to get him to complete what he set out to do, or of getting that extra money back. What would you do? I feel stupid, and scared, because I listened to the contractor, who asked for cash, so I might get into trouble myself. I do have a sheet where I asked the contractor to sign every time he took my money.
I tried to be calm, maybe Spencer is just not answering his phone, and will get back to me. I then tried to contact the Romanian subcontractor that builders london initially hired. He said that he was not paid his money, and so no longer wants to be involved. This was when I decided that indeed, I had been cheated. Anyway, a silver lining(maybe?) The Romanian contractor proposed that he can help me complete the job, if I paid him £20,000.
This is all I have:
beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10786937
www.builderslondonltd.com/
as you can see, the address is a virtual office, and all phone numbers are not being taken. I have sent emails, with no response. I am just wondering, if they choose to ignore, would there be any way in the world that even law enforcers can get to them?
Can I call the police? would I be wasting my money by making a claim or hiring a lawyer? All official letters will be sent to this virtual address and they may ignore the court demands anyway. If the police do not deem the contractors as intentionally fraudulent, I may have no grounds for privacy checks or have them arrested. The Limited company is worth £1, and the individuals behind will be protected anyway. There is supposedly indemnity insurance, but who knows what this covers or if its real to begin with.
I am in a mess right now, and while you probably can't help, I just want to talk about this. I just want to sleep, I can't face life, I was stupid and someone smarter than I am has just taken my year's salary like that.