Fence nightmare

[megthom]

we were supposed to have a fence installed in April. All booked and 50% deposit paid. He has now booked and cancelled 4 times the latest time we got as far as the materials being delivered. So now we have the panels in the garden. He just offered another date which we can’t be here for so just told him by text that we aren’t free. Don’t have any faith that another date wouldn’t be cancelled and want my money back, does anyone have any advice? I did ask for money back on the third cancellation but then he offered a date we could do so tried again. He hasn’t responded to my text. It was a £1000 deposit.

Give a deadline if work isn’t completed by X date you want a full refund or you will start process for small claims court.

Do you need to be there to have the work done? Have you got a friend/family member that could be and have you seen his work? Was he a personal recommendation? Just trying to work out if he has taken on too much work and struggling to fit it all in or just cba.

Do you need to be there, when the fence is being put up? 50% is a lot to pay upfront. How did you find this tradesman, have they done work for you before or where they recommended? I would say in writing you need these works to start within 14 days or you will require a refund of the deposit. Did you pay the deposit in cash? If he doesn’t comply you can report to trading standards, you could also do a small claim, although courts are backed up atm, so it will take some time, is the contract with a Ltd company or is he a sole trader?

Thanks for the replies. We have a neighbour that is known to be awkward and they need electricity - we don’t have an external socket we want to be there and arranged to be in 4 dates. Saying to complete by a certain date wouldn’t work because it needs to ba a date we can be home. Found on find. trader website had decent reviews but really wish I hadn’t paid deposit. Don’t have anyone that can sit in and anyway he has just cancelled every agreed date so not sure that would help.

Deposit was paid from current account

just checked, says they are a limited company

I would check their accounts on companies house, public record anyone can look them up, see how the company is doing, as no point in incurring costs to take it to court if you think he could liquidate, you would become a creditor, but unlikely to get your money back, as staff, HMRC & Bank will be ahead of you. Do you know how much the panels cost? You have them, so another supplier could use them.