To take matters further

[Isitsmeeyourelookingfor]

To keep matters brief: we employed a builder to do work for us, he didn’t finish the job and we are left £3k out of pocket (value of job about £100k)

We have taken some legal advice and only route is a small claim against him for the £3k. This means writing to him now to state our intentions to do a small claim against him.

Should we bother? Please don’t laugh but our house is a bit secluded and my husband works away a lot. I’m with my young kids. Would I be putting us at risk if the builder doesn’t take kindly to a threat to sue? He could become intimidating?
Would you bother or let it go?

yabu - take action
yanbu - let it go

I'm a coward so would probably move on and pay someone else to finish the work.

I would send a very polite email requesting the funds back within a reasonable time period. And mention that you don’t want to but will be forced to take further action if you cannot come up with an amicable arrangement.

That’s so difficult OP I would want to move on but might send a polite letter asking for the funds