Plumber wants full pay before finishing job! How do you deal??

[Audrey0989]

Hi mummies,

Our plumber, who's been pretty good so far, decided today that he wants to be paid up-front for all of his work, before he's willing to come back for one day and finish what's left.

He's 90% done - we are just waiting for gas connection + meter, then our plumber can connect pipes from the meter to our boiler - and give us the cert.

We have about 2000 left in the pot that we owe him - some for work he's already done, and some for what is remaining - our builder recommended not paying him until we get our certificate and we agree.

However, this guy is starting to play hardball and is saying he will not show up unless he's paid.

What can we do?? I'm afraid if we give him ALL the money he's owed, he can very well not show up when we need him to in couple of weeks and we'd be without a gas certificate and zero bargaining power.

How would you deal with this?

What did you originally agree with him?

Is it in writing?

Whatever happens, don't pay him the full amount until it's finished and you have had the work certified.

and leave off with the 'hi mummies' bit

give him 1500 for the work he has DONE. The 500 is retained until completion and delivery of certificate - in case you need to get someone else in. Tell him to take it or leave it. ANd tell him this in writing.

Honestly, if he has completed 90% of the work and you are holding back 2k, I think that's pretty bad - but meet him half way.

Basically he is trying to bully you into doing something only an idiot would do so play hardball back. I would tell him you are not going to pay him until he completes the work and will give him a reasonable amount of time to do that. Tell him that you don't want to do this but if he doesn't complete within that time you will be forced to use the remainder of the money to get somebody else to complete and will bill him for any additional costs this incurs.

There is a caveat to my previous post in that if he has done work that you are happy with and has been tested etc then you should pay for that only withhold for incomplete/untested work.
If you cannot test work due to the incomplete bit then it is fair to hold on to the money until you can.

Our builder is the one who's agreed w/ him - and our builder's a bit scattered brained so I think he only has a couple of emails

We officially have no contract w/ him and only w/ our builder.

He has laid all the piping in the flat - and only cold water is testable b/c we have no gas and so none of the hot water and boiler function has been tested.

I agree to hold money back would be prudent, but how much?? And how do I word it so it's not going to offend him??

Thanks ladies.