To be worried that the builder will never turn up?

[Littleloaf]

We've hired a builder to convert the last part of our house. We took him on in November with an original start date of one week before Christmas. He pushed it back to early January, then mid-January, and now DH called him today and he has said the week beginning 28 January. I'm worried he'll never turn up, or if he does he'll continue to push things back, be late etc.

In people's experience, is this fairly common?

(To add, we live in France so any legal advice - if anyone feels it might be helpful - might not be relevant!)

Thanks

Have you paid anything up front? Contract?

We've paid 20000 up front for materials. There is a contract but DH sorted it out so I don't know the particulars.

I've had a lot of building work done on properties in the past, and I have never paid money up front until they are about half way through the job.

Alarm bells would be ringing for me right now if he keeps putting you off.

Have you mistyped that OP? It's not £20k but £2k I hope.

We have had lots and lots of building work over the years and have never paid upfront. I'm with the above poster, alarm bells would not be ringing big time for me.

Twenty grand?
He's probably done a bunk.

Yep, 20000.

Reputable companies always have accounts with suppliers for materials. There is NEVER a reason to pay anything upfront, and any company that asks you to aren't a good company.

OP your husband needs to be looking into this ASAP if he's the one who signed the contract.

I'm also hoping that the £20,000 was a typo!

Demand money back if not started on 28th

As you are in France- have you spoken to the Mayor?

OP just read your update, sorry to panic you, but this doesn't sound right. No company should be asking for that amount upfront.

I have no legal advice to give you I'm afraid, I've never been in this position. What does your husband say??

We had a few quotes, one from a large company, and they all asked for a percentage up front. I'm hoping it's a bona fide French thing as obviously losing the 20k (as I have been 'joking' about for the past few weeks) would be a real blow.

Not spoken to the mayor - could be the next port of call.

DH says not to worry and to let him handle it. Much easier said than done I'm afraid.

I think it is old fashioned for people to think they don’t pay upfront.

Had my kitchen done last year. Cost 15k. They wanted 5k just before, 5k halfway through and 5k once finished. No problems.

Had the driveway done by a local company and again they wanted 2k upfront for materials, some money half way through and the rest once finished. Again no problems.

How much is the work going to cost?
20k is an awful lot up front.

Oh OP I hope this gets sorted.

I worked closely with citizens advice and Trading Standards for years and the number one red flag was asking for money upfront as most builders have accounts with suppliers and don't need the money for materials.

Maybe it's a French thing?!

Well, I think we’re probably pretty British about it. I would suspect the French might deal with it differently. Unless your DH is French? The reason I say Mayor is mentioned in passing- if his eyebrows shoot up.... you know the answer- if he/she says yes, yes, he’s very good this builder and very busy.... you probably need to stop worrying. I do hope it gets sorted for you OP. 20k is not insignificant.

I've been doing a bit of research and it does seem that it is standard practise to give some money upfront. I've also been able to find the builder's information on the government website where small companies register, so I don't think he can be a total crook. It's not 100% but it's the best I can manage for a Saturday night.