Builder had left us in the lurch and marriage is starting to crack

[Mouss]

We used a builder that my father had recommended and he has unfortunately left the job uncompleted - about 30% remains. It's been 5 weeks since his team last turned up.
We've started to get quotes from other builders based on personal recommendations but no-one is interested as the bulk of the work is completed or are quoting extortionate amounts: one builder quoted £30k to finish the job, whilst the original quotes were £50k - £60. Another builder had a look and just refused to quote, said it wasn't worth his time.

We are now searching the web for builders to finish the job, and we have no idea now component they are going to do. This is causing a huge amount of tension between us, I know I am being blamed because it was my father's recommendation and pushed for the builder.

To top it all, my parents are getting some work and they have hired a builder we wanted. Not their fault, but it is just going to aggravate things at home.

Can you ask your parents to delay their work and speak to that builder about finishing your job that’s been left?

surely whatever your parents are doing isn’t as essential as finishing your incomplete build.also what are you doing to track down the original builder? I’d be stalking them online and turning up where ever I could find them to try and get them back

What has the builder said when you've talked to him about leaving the job incomplete? Is he planning to return to finish it? What stage of payment are you at?

I've heard everything from; 'I've taken another job and will return to finish it; I've hurt myself; I will come tomorrow; I will come later today etc.' Its a never ending line of excuses, and he becomes very aggressive if questioned. I am relying on any amount of small good will be has with my father to finish the job.

That is the other issue, I've noticed a change in my parents attitude towards me and my family. It's hard to describe but they have become cooler. Perhaps they dont like that we've moved, or maybe my brother is pouring poison in my father's ear/

I've asked this builder and he can only accommodate our work after Christmas.

I think that's pretty standard. But surely he needs to return to be paid? I hear you on the aggression, but as many builders don't want small jobs anyway, and most are very reluctant to finish up someone else's unfinished job (and that has repercussions for certifying the work etc), I think your best bet is to continue to communicate with the original builder and get him to commit to a return date.

What still needs to be done? Could one of the other trades complete the work. I have a plumber who also does plastering but can turn his hand to most things.

Try splitting the work into sections and ask for individual quotes. Plumbing, gas and electrics are specialisms but other tasks are more general.