So this might be a long one bear with me. I bought a house a few years ago and have been saving up to get work done on it. It’s been a bit by bit job. Last year a company was recommended me to come fix my roof. Brilliant service, nice man, had also done work for neighbours, 5* reviews on Facebook etc
While was here he said he could also fit me new doors, garage and front, patio and conservatory. He gave me a quote, it was what I could afford as he offered me a deal in cash.
Id been saving for six years to get new doors as I was determined nothing would go on credit. I’ve worked a second job and missed family weddings etc and he matched what I had saved. He quoted me £6000 and then came to collect the £3000 deposit in cash for materials. I gave this to him in an envelope and he said he would email me a receipt.
A week went by and I heard nothing, then he text to say he had ordered my doors and would get a date booked in for fitting soon. Weeks go by and I hear nothing, so I decide to call him. I answer and he answers distressed and tells me to “talk to his wife and fuck off”. I was upset but called his wife, who half owns the business.
She told me that he has left her, and the business and wouldn’t be coming back. That she didn’t know anything about my doors or cash, but believed I’d paid and would make good on my order. I gave her my measurements for my doors and she took them and said she would be in touch with a date.
It’s now been 4 months, and 8 months since he originally said he would do it. Any messages I send to her are ignored. I told her I wanted a date for my doors fitting and would be pursuing it through small claims if not and she agreed a date via text. This date has long come and gone and she’s now ignoring me again.
Annoyingly though, they are still advertising their services on Facebook. I did see some other lady had written on their page reviews calling them scammers and telling them she had been scammed for £8000 as the bloke had run off it was swiftly deleted.
I can understand she must be in distress as her husband and business partner has left but it’s money I can’t lose. My DP says to do small claims but I’m worried if I do it against the business that she will just change the business name or if I should do it in the husband and wife’s name?
Also worried as I don’t have a receipt, I do have a lot of texts though.
Can anyone help or recommend? Im so upset.