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Can my builder take me to court?

6 replies

themummyway · 10/11/2020 21:03

Builder left job after I asked for a breakdown of how much work has been completed... now claiming I owe him money, do I really?

I stopped paying as there was hardly anyone there and hardly anything had changed over the course of two weeks. I was hesitant to keep paying for a full week's worth of work without substantive change.

I'd paid for about 60% of the work to be completed but it was apparent that less than 60% of the work had been done.

Things came to a head and I asked the builder to provide me with a breakdown of monies owed vs work completed. Of course if I've underpaid, I'm happy to cough up the extra cash, but I don't think I have He said that was fine, happy to oblige and then he packed up and left 2 hours later without saying they weren't coming back.

We've since been going back and forth because he's claiming that I owe him money (still not provided me with a breakdown).

The figure I "owe" has changed numerous times and I'm not convinced that I really do owe him anything. I've asked for a breakdown at last 3 times now and each time, this request is ignored

He's sent over an invoice for extras but based on how much I've paid and how much they've done, I really don't think I owe that much at all (if anything).

What should I do? Can he take me to court? (Probably not!)

OP posts:
user1487194234 · 10/11/2020 22:36

Well of course he can take you to court
Unlikely to succeed on the basis of what you have said
Did you have a detailed quotation

themummyway · 11/11/2020 08:22

Yep, we had a detailed quotation that itemised each job and its price - that’s why I don’t think it would be difficult to work out how much was completed and how much I’ve paid

My text messages also clearly state that I’ve asked for the breakdown several times and that the request has been ignored

OP posts:
Greenkit · 11/11/2020 09:53

I would.move your chats to email and detail what you have said here.

You could get an independent builder in to tell you what work has been completed.

He could take you to court but would need to prove he has done the work to payment so far.

themummyway · 11/11/2020 10:49

We are now only able to communicate via email as I blocked him from messaging me after my requests for a breakdown went unanswered (while his demands for ££ with different figures each time kept coming in)

I assume he took photos of how things were when he left (at a superficial level, it looks like more has been done that actually has) and I took videos with a more detailed description

He sent me an invoice last night for extras, but again, no mention of breakdown of works done vs monies paid

OP posts:
themummyway · 13/11/2020 20:33

bump

OP posts:
Greenkit · 16/11/2020 08:44

Just reply

I need a break down as discussed

I was having a chat with my builder last night, my daughter BF. He said he charges in stages, so...

Floor done = payment
Walls and roof = payment
Finishing off = payment

With a break down of everything. We are having a small extension.

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