To not pay the bill (cowboy builders)

[Awaywiththefairies27]

Building contracter turned cowboy is owed £700 for work not carried out. We've been back and forthing for months now.

We paid him thousands for very little work and his employees sat about in our garden on constant cigarette breaks, throwing things at each other generally not working at all. He charged for their time and "labour" but it was only him doing any of the work.

They took down a ceiling that didn't need to come down, they said they'd cover the kids beds and toys to replaster the walls and ceiling but took the whole thing down. They didn't cover anything. The brand new beds ended up damaged and cracked and covered in ceiling dust. We had to chuck out all the toys that couldn't be wiped down as they were thick with this black dust. It ruined our new stairs and landing carpets as we couldn't get the dust out with industrial carpet vacuums, the edges are still black, they also promised to cover those. They plastered over live wires in our living room and replaced a socket that ended up sparking, catching fire and burning the wall a few days before christmas. We haven't been able to use that room since then.

I'm genuinely terrified to put my baby in the nursery they replastered as they touched the sockets in there too. Plaster is just falling off around the window.

They put in expensive skirting board wonky so it doesn't touch the floor in most areas, replaced some wood above the doors using bad off cuts. Nothing meets properly or is filled in. The work just isn't done.

We withheld the final payment as the work that needs repairing is substantial. The carpets and beds alone amount to more. He offered to send a general handyman to come fix the electrics, skirting and joinery but we want a qualified electrician to handle the scorched socket and live wires. He offered nothing for the beds or carpets saying we were just trying to get freebies out of him.

We were led to believe that he, as a contractor, would hire in qualified people for the jobs. He charged us for it but we just got him and his team of goons. He's refusing the work now and threatening debt collection.

I just don't know what to do. I'm so stressed about it all, I've got 4 young children and the thought of a fire is eating me up. I can barely sleep.

I don't know where to turn, we'd like to take him to court for the full costs but don't know how to go about that at all. I'm so stressed I feel sick from it. My grandma just passed away a week ago as well so have the added stress of having to drive 8 hours with the kids for her funeral.

AIBU to not pay and see what solicitors say now? Is there anyone we should call to come tot up the damages first?

First of all get an electrician in to do a proper survey. They can advise what needs to be done to make it safe for you and the cost for putting it right. You can then take this to the builder, but making it safe has to be your priority. I assume you have enough working smoke alarms?

Have you got legal cover with your house insurance? This might be one of the times it’d Be a good idea to ring them.

@Lou573 thank you, we have loads of smoke alarms. We've been worried to rectify the work ourselves and bill him after incase we then can't claim it back.

@lifecouldbeadream we do yes, do we go straight to them or do we need people to come survey it all first?

Might also be worth talking to your local trading standards. In my area there has been action taken against ‘cowboy builders’ and you may find that you are not the only one to experience shoddy and dangerous workmanship.

If you have legal cover just phone your home insurance and they will pass it to their solicitors who will arrange that.

So sorry for what has happened, it sounds awful

Just ring them. They’ll ask you questions and give you advice about whether they think there’s a decent chance of success. It might not be what you want to hear, but at least you’ll know.

They were v. Approachable for us and meant we had confidence in our plan. It didn’t get further than that, but it’s what you pay it for in the end. Our case ( surveyor) settled before we had to fully instruct them. Be very sure to see what actual evidence you have. They can’t just take your word for it. So in your case: pictures, emails, texts. Order for the beds you then had to replace ( so they can see they were new). The more hard evidence you have, the easier it’ll be. Have you got an original quote/schedule of works and did you get other quotes from other builders? House insurance dealt with the socket fire? If so, could they/would they sort an electrical survey for you? If not, might be worth just paying for one, it might help you sleep at night/be able to use that room again.