furious builder

[loosenknot]

can you help me as I'm stuck! this is an update on an earlier question.

I owe a kitchen contractor around 3000 pounds payable on final installation of a bespoke kitchen. I wrote a polite note asking if he could explain a few problems, some of which are to do with the functioning of the kitchen (no sealant on the splashback/misaligned doors). I also noted a few dents (some of which may not have been caused by him). I've been non confrontational and offered to meet him on site with a third party to go through it.

the builder is now shouting and accusing me of not wanting to pay him and saying that he's going to take me to a small claims court.

To calm the builder down and prove that I wasn't out to cheat him (I'm really not!) I offered to pay all but 800 of the 3000 I owe him (which is around 5 per cent of the total and should cover the cost of another builder doing the work if he refuses to rectify). He says he won't fix anything until he gets all the money and is muttering about a small claims court again (he is focussing on the small dents that he says may have not been caused by him, rather than on the bigger questions I raised about the actual installation).

I really don't want a fight! I just want to get the kitchen done! What should I do?

Withholding a 5% retention until the snagging is done is fair I would say

The Trading Standards Dept [google for your local service] were very helpful when we got into a dispute over unfinished work with our builder.
They gave me the correct 'legal' wording for a letter setting out our issues, and details of Small Claims Court to recover our costs.
We sent the letter by recorded delivery so he couldn't say he hadn't had it.
I kept a diary of the work, and took loads of photos throughout, I'd suggest you take pics and write a clear account of all the damage and unfinished work.
Get a couple of other suitable tradespeople [the sort who are registered with the appropriate trades associations] to inspect the work and estimate the cost of getting it finished to an acceptable standard and stick to your guns!
Does your guy belong, or claim to belong, to any trades groups? They might have standards for members or be able to help.
Is there a local Facebook group or similar where you might contact other customers of his to find out if he makes a habit of this?
On ours you are not allowed to make complaints or negative comments public but you can message privately.
Good luck, having work done in your home is stressful enough without added grief.

Now way would I pay all 3k before it's finished. I wouldn't pay him another penny until he comes and has a sensible chat and agrees to fix all the issues. If he is reasonable when you meet him, pay 1500 and say he gets the rest when it's all done.
No way he will take you to small claims court... not worth time money or hassle when he hasn't completed the job.
Or get another fitter in and ask for a price to finish it off, then deduct it from the 3k and give the original builder the option to finish it for the full 3k or less the 2nd quote

As an update: we met on site and he seemed far calmer when he realised I wasn't out to get him! He has resolved all the issues with a few grumbles. Very stressful way to carry out business though!

Glad you resolved this- it seems really punitive to withhold £3000 for some missing silicone sealer and a slight adjustment for a couple of doors.