We hired a local contractor to do some work in our house, estimate was agreed and the job was supposed to take 4/5 days.
2 weeks in and we, very politely, told him we needed to part company; he never showed up until we called several times a day and would then come for a couple of hours before disappearing......his work was not particularly good.....he caused damage in the room, refused to take our calls to fix it so we had to get someone else in (the damage was causing a flooding issue so couldn't be left) and then said it wasn't his problem and he wouldn't pay for it, smashed floor tiles which can't be matched and which he just shrugged at, couldn't seem to remember what actual work he was supposed to be doing for us (even though it was listed on his estimate) so I had to remind him that he couldn't send his tiler over until the pipework had been installed and so on.
The last straw was telling us one of his workmen would be in 3 days on the trot, DH arranged school runs and so on to stay in the house, the guy never showed and then he (laughingly) told us the workman was on vacation for 2 weeks. When I asked him, extremely politely, to make sure people showed up because (among other things) I was trying to do a 150-mile a day round trip to take an elderly relative to visit her spouse in Intensive Care and so having someone wait at the house was a problem, I was told 'your problems don't become my problems'.
So, we asked for a final invoice for work done and materials to date, and paid it within hours of receipt. We've since hired another guy who actually does show up and is doing a good job.
A week has gone by, and last night I received an email from the first contractor saying he'd missed some things off his invoice and we owe him another £300. I can't tell whether or not this is the case, as his 'final' invoice just listed e.g. 'cabinets and fixings, £X' and now he's saying he didn't charge us for a cabinet, some hinges and the like.
I replied to say I can't see how this is the case, but to please send an invoice, along with a detailed breakdown of all the job costs by item, so I can see what we have and have not paid for. I told him I don't make payments based on casual emails, only invoices. I also asked for this to be sent by mail and for him not to contact me via email or Messenger any more.
This morning I've awoken to a stinker of an email.....apparently he's going to send one of his men round to remove all the work he did if I won't pay for it (note: the outstanding amount he is now claiming is around 5% of the overall amount we've paid him for the partial job). Some really quite choice language. And "if he heres (*sic) that I've badmouthed him to anyone, he'll sue for slander". I hadn't mentioned badmouthing anyone, but am now considering posting an honest and factual review or two....
I replied to tell him, extremely politely, that I asked him for an invoice and a breakdown of costs and for this to be sent by mail. I told him he seems to be overreacting, and to not contact me via email any more.
I don't 'do' conflict, I consider myself a very fair and honest person, and this has really shaken me up. We've employed 5 other contractors this year so far, some for very large and complex renovation jobs, and haven't had a single issue with any of them - they've shown up, done their job, let me know if there's an additional part etc needed and what the cost is, and then sent an invoice at the end which I paid. I'm actually not sure what to do if he doesn't send an invoice (I don't want him to just run off and sue me), or continues to send nasty emails and messages. AIBU to insist on an invoice and breakdown of costs? I need someone to talk me off the ledge here....