Builder not turning up...at point of a breakdown with extension

[NonTraditionalFeelings]

I'm a single mum with 3 kids and I'm currently trying to extend my house so that my youngest can have her own room. I've hired a builder but it's been horrendous. It started well but it's now 16 weeks into a simple side extension and garage conversion and he hardly shows up. I've called, written emails, chased him down he makes promises and then doesn't come. We are barely out of the ground and I'm 9k in.

I contacted another company to see if I could get rid of him and pay another builders. They responded saying no other builder would touch the work and I'd have to start again which I can't afford to do. I've remortgaged to do this so I'm now in serious finically shit.

I'm literally having panic attacks when I come home. I went through rated people to find the builder, spoke to 4 different references all positive, 2 of which were corporate clients.

I really don't know what to do. The building inspector is ok with work so far.

Help!!

Does your contract with him say anything about time frames or completion dates? Was the 9k for materials or just a deposit to get started? How much is the whole project supposed to cost?

A solicitor's letter would likely get his attention, but that's a big step.

It was agreed to run for 8 weeks. The 9k was part of different installments, I'm paid up to damp proof level at the moment.

Do you have a JCT contract? I'd look to see what your recourse is. Also I'm not sure why another builder wont touch it if you have building regs sign off so far. I'd cast about for another builder, you want a local builder who uses subbies rather than a building company as they'll be a bit more flexible

We had this and had to cut our losses with our first builder. We had a second builder who seemed happy enough to continue the work but he would also come and do a couple of hours then disappear. It drove me absolutely mad.

Does the builder owe you money? If he doesn't then I would ask around for recommendations and start again. Obviously leave Google reviews etc so others know and that might be enough to jolt him back into action. You have my sympathy.

Thanks for your reply's, I'm trying to get him to take me up to roof level. The whole job has cost me £21k. I honestly don't know where to go to get a decent tradesman who won't mess me around. We started in March and it's feels like it's hardly moving. He is never here. He's done about 6 hours work in the last 3 week.

Do you think I'd be able to find another builder who would finish it?

In my experience the larger contractors who have a real office and full time employees are much better about getting things done on time than the bloke who runs the business on his mobile phone. Now if I can't speak to someone during the day I won't hire them.

We recently had our roof completely replaced (including the plywood deck) and four skylights replaced. They were here very day for two weeks and then they were done. I probably could have gotten a better price from a smaller contractor with less overhead, but they tend to juggle too many projects because they want to be fully booked for months in advance.

It's a conundrum, but I'd start calling around. Your local DIY store may be able to recommend some contractors since they shop there too.

This might sound terrible but do you have a guy.. your dad/ brother who could go after him as he is taking advantage of you on your own?
Also tell him if he doesn"t buck up you will spread the word around as to what a horrendous builder he is and make sure he gets no more business eg on face book etc.
It's so stressful.

I've tried the reputable bigger builders and they are the ones who have said they wouldn't touch it unless they could start again. 😫

@junebirthdaygirl no I'm very much on my own with everything I do.

@Fantina how long did the job take in the end?

I feel so sorry for you. We had a very slow builder and the work just dragged on and on. It caused us a load of extra stress on top of the stress and upheaval from the building. We liked and trusted our builder to do good job so we went with it, although at times we were tearing our hair out.
Try to pin him down to a timescale then if that's no good then. I tried the approach of suggesting to our builder that it seemed like he wasn't coping with his workload and perhaps he should consider finding you another builder as you're so keen to get it finished. You could threaten him with bad review. Get advice from you local CAB or a free consultation with a solicitor.

If things don't improve, I would look for another builder by asking locally for recommendations and through your a local Facebook page, take a walk round your area looking anyone that's had or having work done. Ask parents at the school gate and on any WhatsApp or messaging groups you're in. Ask everyone you know for recommendations. Good luck 👍🍷

I"m sure you will find someone else - when I was looking for a builder, i had a few people recommended to me entirely on the basis that they had swooped in and helped someone finish a job that had been left half done. I agree with the PP - ask anyone and everyone you know for recommendations

Thanks everyone, you are giving me hope that I might be able to find someone to carry on if I get rid of him. My concern is that they will come in a lot higher and I won't be able to afford it.

@nellyitsme can I ask how long it took in the end please?

@NonTraditionalFeelings it took 15 months!! A nightmare!! That was for knocking the conservatory down and knocking two rooms into one and building a big kitchen/diner/ sitting area and a utility room. There were problems with sewerage - that all had to be redone. The brickie became sick and retired and another had to be found. The labourer retired too. There was a dispute about the size of the supporting beams. The kitchen company who made the kitchen the told us they couldn't fit it for another 3 months, so the builder found a carpenter to fit it.

It really was worth it in the end, 6 months on we're finally relaxing into our new home and enjoying it!

Oh, and the weather was an issue as well: too wet, too cold, too hot, too windy etc

There are builders FB pages with recommendations and quotes

Worth a try

Take lots of photos and videos every day/ week that are dated by your phone or on your camera so you have a good record of how slowly the job is coming along as well as a log of all his hours spent working on the project so that you gather indisputable evidence as you go of how slowly this is going on (or not, more to the point!) as well as all the contact and attempted contact you have had.

Then talk to trading standards to see what you can do. And Rated Builders (think that is what you said they were called) - reflects badly on them if a well rated builder isn’t doing a proper job. You’ve used them to recommend you a good builder and they’ve failed. You should have some recourse through them.

Finally do you have legal cover through your insurance that could advise you and write letters if necessary - cheaper than going to a new solicitor!

Hello there. If you are still interested in hiring another builder do let me know and I think I can help you with a quote. Are you based in London?

OP, it took 18 months But we had one incompetent builder then we had to find another one, wait for him to start which took 3 months and then he only ever worked in fits and starts. It was truly awful, I couldn't cope with doing it again. We weren't even extending, just new kitchen/moving a non load bearing wall etc etc.

You could give a rough idea of your location and ask for recommendations on here.

You can't even rely on friends / neighbours recommendations. We did, as did other neighbours and sadly we were both let down badly.
I still see bad builder's vans around our area and want to shout out and warn his new victims customers.

Get rid of him , ask friends for recommendations or your building inspector and get someone else in