Paid £600 to tradesman 3 weeks ago, still no date for works

[TheGander]

I have paid a tradesman to replace a garage door, it’s actually for my brother who is in hospital long term and I am helping to get his home ready for him to move back in. So far I have paid £600 deposit over 3 weeks ago and signed a contract ( come to think of it I have nothing signed from him) which commits me to paying in full within 2 days of the fitting. He said last week he’d fit this week and would be in touch soon to confirm the day, so I could go over and check before making final payment. I have texted today at 9 am to check the date but no answer. This might all be innocent but my gut feeling isn’t good. I did check if he had any CCJs and the website said not. What can I do if no communications? Letter before action? Threaten small claims court? Any advice on how to proceed would be really appreciated.

How did you find him in the first place?

Internet. I tried Which trusted traders but they had no one in the area. He’s listed on the county’s Trading Standards site, not sure how much that is worth.

Bloomin heck… risk not to get local recommendations and research thoroughly with tradesmen! Especially if handing over £600 deposit

Did you even get a receipt for the deposit?

Thanks but I am where I am and I’m hoping for some advice on how to proceed from now on.

Given he said he’d contact you to book in a date this week

and it’s Monday afternoon

and I’d give him the benefit of the doubt for the time being
Following that, little you can do without any evidence of payment or him having signed a contract

I can easily evidence the payment it was from my account into his via bank transfer and his partner sent an email from office acknowledging it.

Well then I would be more confident he will come through

Thanks, he said he’d ring me tomorrow so we’ll see. Might be back here for advice if no joy. Fingers crossed

Did you pay him as a business/invoice or friends and family? Hope it's the first

Good luck, hope he shows soon

it appeared to be a personal account. I get the feeling I’m going to have to get assertive and maybe even consult a solicitor. Said he’d rig today, nothing so far. Bad feelings about this one.

To be honest, it's still early days for a tradesman. We're doing a bunch of renovations and when they say they'll call or come round on X day, there's usually at least a weeks slippage! But all shown up and done the work well. Do keep on top of them but I find they're likely to be disorganised more so than a cowboy.

He can’t book a date until he has the door delivered, that is probably not yet happened.
Many builders would get you to buy the door and they would fit it for you

A solicitor will look at you rather quizzically I suspect 😂

Well apparently he’s fitting it on Thursday now, and wants full payment 48 hours in advance ( ie the balance paid) or on the day. I realise I probably sound like I’m catastrophising by now but he has been very assertive in setting out his terms ( all in his favour of course) and quite evasive about his commitments, I just have to hold my nerve and inspect thoroughly before making the final payment. It’s all a bit of a hassle as 1) this is for my brother who can’t handle any tradesmen issues at the moment due to a nervous breakdown and 2) it involves a whole day return to go to his property. Anyway thanks for the input and I will update.

You have a contract

does it stipulate 100% payment before the job begins?

Yes 48 hours before, or immediately on the day of the fitting.

So 🤷‍♀️ he’s just keeping to the terms of the contract that you signed

One is pretty useless without the other.

which would not be adhering to the terms of the contract you signed

Sorry wrong quote

* I just have to hold my nerve and inspect thoroughly before making the final payment.*

this is not keeping to the contract

You have to realize that tradesmen get ripped off by customers who complain just to get money off the job, the wealthier the customer the more likely to try it. In the case of a door being fitted it would be normal for the customer to pay for materials in advance then fitting on the day.

A friend is a kitchen fitter, one job the customer started arguing about the final bill, so he simply took the doors off the units and went home with them, he didn’t refit them until they paid.

Just thought I’d update. He was ok with me paying the day after he fitted ( I asked nicely!) so I went round today and it’s all good, I’ve made the final payment. Thanks for everyone’s views and advice.