To not pay the builder/plumber any more money?

[birdonawire1]

To fit and tile a new bathroom and shower, plumb in washing machine into utility room, plumb in kitchen sink. Bathroom includes plastering walls and digging out concrete to sink piping in for toilet. Also tiling bathroom and kitchen floor.

A friend is fitting the kitchen for free and is repairing some damp walls.

I’m tiling the kitchen and a friend is doing the electrics for a small fee.

So the plumber has had £1000 for goods and says he was ripped off by a supplier who has done a runner. (Utter bollox I know). And he’s had another £1300 for doing the job. We’ve had to buy a second bathroom, shower etc and he is finally doing the job.

He is now asking for more pay and seems to think the disappeared money is not part of the equation.

Please don’t waste energy saying this was a cockeyed way to employ a tradesman. My 20 yo son has dumped this in my lap to sort out for his house.

[BobbleHat102]

That's horrendous. YANBU.

He has effectively robbed you, please pursue him for all you can get back and report him to anyone who might take an interest in giving him a hard time - police, HMRC, trading standards etc. These dodgy fuckers rely on people letting things go, and roll onto the next victim...

[NWQM]

The window episode sounds more like he stole money from you by deception. You should consider contacting the police. He is likely to be doing this to a range of people who make not be able to chalk it up. Could destroy someone.

[Santaclarita]

Er it's his fault if he lost the first lot of money, not yours. He should have better suppliers.

[birdonawire1]

Thanks, we do intend to get him to do all the work and it’s a good idea to suggest to him he goes to the police to report this imaginary supplier. Not a chance of that of course. Latest rumour is he is addicted to cocaine which would explain the constant requests for money.

He apparently ordered a new window, paid the £50 deposit, got me to transfer the money for it to him to pay for it then went in, cancelled and took back the £50. No window of course.

Got to the point that if he finishes the job and buggers off never to be seen again I’ll be happy and chalk it up to a very bad experience.

[NWQM]

Id suggest you do very little.

Legally unless the quote he gave you was obviously wrong then you do not have to pay. Do not start saying 'you'll claim through your insurance', 'transfer money' etc as you'll be admitting liability.

Have a quick look at the CAB website. It lays it out and gives you the Consumer helpline number that you need for Trading Standards.

Basically the advise is gather evidence including photos - if he doesn't finish the work - and try and get it on writing.

Tell him you have checked out your liability and he might back off from claiming.

If not tell him to put a revised quote in writing detailing what has already been paid but clearly explaining why the costs have gone up. Keep reiterating that any issues he has with suppliers are sad to hear but you've paid. If he doesn't do the work for the originally agreed price then :-

• call the Consumer Helpline. They will talk you through the options;
• threaten and leave factual reviews on Facebook etc

Sometimes it's hard to believe the cheek of some people... 'I made a decision about a supplier so can you pay up so I'm out of pocket' honestly....

You might want to be super generous and point him in the direction do the CAB so he can get his money back.

[Bibijayne]

May be a trading standards issue?

[TheCupboardUnderTheStairs]

Or see the invoices for the order of the first bathroom, and a receipt. Ask what he's doing about it (after he's finished your job of course).

Proper businesses dont run off with your money - so who has he 'bought ' the suite from???

[TheCupboardUnderTheStairs]

Say you are waiting for the bank to transfer more money but it'll be a few days. Then say the bank have lost your money.

[Justanothernameonthepage]

Have you seen a contract? If there is no contract, eithet stall to keep him working or say you're going to have to go through insurance for the extra money, so could he please give you a copy of the first purchase order or police report for the stolen money. And ask for a copy of his insurance since your insurer seems to think his insurance should be covering his loss.

[Troels]

He wants you to pay twice? What a chancer.

[hamandpease]

Bumping for you as I'm surprised you've had no response

YADNBU!