To report workmen for working cash in hand

[clpsmum]

Had a flood that the insurance wouldn't cover. As a result had to LG for the damage using money I had saved for Christmas. Was assured by workmen prior to and during work they would give me an invoice or receipt. I need this in order to prove to my stbxh the work was done and claim half the money back. Workmen know this. They are know completely ignoring me and refusing any paperwork/email/text message to say job done and paid. Would I be unreasonable to contact Hmrc to say it's highly unlikely they've not paid tax on this job? Really don't want to but also don't want to be £2.5k out of pocket at Christmas either!

Errrr... so did you pay them cash?

Have they said why they won’t give a receipt or invoice?

And you are assuming they aren’t declaring it, there is nothing wrong with them taking cash payment and if you had such an issue about that, why did you pay them cash?

Did you pay them 5k cash?
Why would your ex pay for flood damage where he no longer resides anyway?

Why don't you contact them and say you are giving them one last opportunity to provide evidence of your payment, or you will be taking legal advice? Did you really pay them cash in hand and not demand a receipt at the time??

Your should have got the invoice first and then payment.

Still in his name and work being done to sell so he needs to pay half. No I'm not 2.5k out of pocket that was the total so I'm 12500 out. I asked if I could bank transfer and they said no because it was bank holiday weekend blah blah blah bullshit I fell for. They are totally ignoring me.

So when you handed the money over, what did they say then about a receipt?

@myhumps123 I reloaded this now 😩

Contacted and gave them h til end of day yesterday and they're still ignoring me. I will contact a solicitor

@Nicknacky they said they would email it over that day

So do you have any quotes by email, text that you can show your ex if he is being awkward?

No it was all done over the phone as it was an emergency. Bank holiday weekend came home on the Sunday to water poring through my ceiling and light fitting so just called the first number that came up on google. I realise now how stupid I've been. Think I'll probably have to write the money off

Has your ex refused to pay his half? You must have told him how much the quote was before work started?

Have you tried telling them you'll report unless you get the paperwork you asked for?

Ah that is crap! Are you happy with the work they have done? All sounds very dodgy. Given the value of the work, I would definitely get on to a solicitor. Good luck op

Probably a long shot op but would your ex be satisfied with them confirming the payment verbally, would either party agree to a telephone call

Possibly iffy, they've finagled a cash payment out of you but at least hopefully they have done the work satisfactorily & got you out of a mess. Easy to lose your cool head & panic when facing water deluges and damage. Can you do some Google detective agency on them ie reviews, company details, vat reg, company house details? Absence of an invoice aside, may I ask you why your insurance won't cough up?

I'd have asked then for a written invoice then if they refused bank transfer, I'd pay by cheque .

I dont understand why your insurance isn'y covering such a large bill. the excess on ours is only 500.

I would send them a text saying that you urgently need a receipt as proof of the work being carried out legitimately as you work for HMRC and need to be completely above board. Or say it’s your STBX. I doubt they will query it and should produce some sort of receipt.

Thank you everyone. Ex is just awkward at every given opportunity so he's loving this to be honest.

Text them. Put something in 'writing'.

Sorry, just seen that you've tried that.

Are they on Facebook? Can you let them know that you will leave them a bad Google review, or something?