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Builder agreed to repair work he did previously but is now ignoring me

8 replies

Towerofjoyless · 15/07/2021 13:44

We live on a hill and the elevated front area has tiered walls which a builder strengthened and roughcasted two years ago. Over the winter large chunks of the roughcasting broke off. We called the builder who said that it was likely water and ice in the ground which has caused it and even though he made allowances for drainage, it's a hazard of living on a hill. After its been raining we do see excess water pooled at the bottom of our property so it has been draining, but obviously not enough.

He agreed to fix it at a reduced rate as he originally did the work and said he would send a quote. Three weeks later, no quote. I texted him and he said he was working on it. Still no word two weeks later, I have sent a couple more messages but he appears to be ignoring me now.

Should I persist or just find a new builder to sort it? I have sent a generic "how you getting on with quote" message each time but should I send something a bit more direct? Or cut my losses?

We plan to move in a few years time (buying a level access property- never again with all these stairs!) so dreading forking out £££ to get it sorted as it will eat into our deposit savings.

OP posts:
Towerofjoyless · 17/07/2021 20:13

Bump

OP posts:
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 18/07/2021 18:59

Is it his poor work that has resulted in the problem? If yes and he's ignoring you I'd go through trading standards. If not definitely do not chase him, he's not interested for whatever reason.

Towerofjoyless · 18/07/2021 20:46

Tbh I'm not sure. Water is definitely draining and he made allowances for water drainage but I think the wet and freezing winter we just had was a bit much for the walls. Another tradesman I had for a different job earlier this year noticed the state of the roughcasting and told me why it happened, the guy who did the actual work pretty much said the same thing so he didn't seem to be denying the cause of it. Might just look for someone else to repair it, thanks for responding Tango.

OP posts:
SecretOfChange · 19/07/2021 15:40

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango can you elaborate on the suggestion to go through trading standards? If it is a fault in the service that was provided, what would be the likely outcome if you go down this route?

Thanks. I've got an issue that I will be raising with my builders and depending on their willingness to fix it, want to know what my options are.

Andthenanothercupoftea · 19/07/2021 18:05

He's probably got loads of work on his hands and your job will be relatively small in comparison. I'd start getting some other quotes (which may take some time anyway) just to see how much ££ we're talking.

Towerofjoyless · 20/07/2021 07:35

If he had too much work on his hands fair enough, but why call me back when I texted him initially, have a talk on the phone for 20 minutes, promise a quote then just ignore me after? I would have preferred honesty upfront if he was too busy. Even if he was booked for months and months in advance, he could have told me and given me the option of looking elsewhere. That's what annoys me the most I'd say.

OP posts:
drpet49 · 20/07/2021 07:44

* He's probably got loads of work on his hands and your job will be relatively small in comparison.*

And????? Not the OPs problem. Builder should be prioritising OPs work.

Letter before action

drpet49 · 20/07/2021 07:44

Get quotes to fix the work. Then small claims court

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