How to get money back from a builder?

[Alphacentaurius]

Hello!

We found a builder in MyBuilder.com for our kitchen works.
He did a good job and we trusted him, and I paid all his invoices; so I have not noticed that I actually paid for all of the job before he finished it.

Suddenly he disappeared for three weeks - did not respond emails/phone.
I needed my kitchen finished, so I hired another builder.

Then in three weeks time the first builder texted me that he was ill and he wants to come and finish the job (which is all completed already by another builder).

I emailed him the document which he wrote with the list of works and costs and asked to transfer me the money (it is about £1000). He does not respond.

Do I need to go to court or there are simpler ways, like some solicitors who can help in such cases?

Will appreciate any help!

I think you’ve learned a valuable lesson and are unlikely to get anything back tbh.

small claims court

Lodge a claim with the small claims court. Very simple and easy to do.

Small claims court. But unless your original contract with him had a penalty clause or some other referene to work not being finished on time you really should have issued him with written notice that if works were not completed by x date you would engage someone else and seek to recoup the costs.

Never ever pay upfront

This happens all the time I'm afraid. You've been had. The chances of getting your money back are slim to none. Just be grateful it's wasn't for more money, I've seen people done for £5k, £10k+.

Go to the small claims court.

BUT a 3 week delay is hardly unusual in building work, if the issue was only delay then unless your contract had some very unusual terms in, I don’t think you had a legal right to hire a replacement so quickly. The fact that he went out of contact for so long does give you some hope though but it isn’t straightforward.

Thanks to everyone!

There was not a penalty close, however there was a list of things he had to do, and he clearly has not done several items.

Do you mean that if I don't like the fact that the builder disappears for 3 weeks, I am not allowed to hire someone else to do the job? He did not answer phones/emails, so I did not know what to expect, and my kitchen stood not finished.

Is a builder company liked a shark which once bit your money would never return it? If I pay for services upfront and I do not receive them - am I not supposed to get a refund?

Well, court is too much for £1000 and if you mentioned there is no certainty that my case will win, of course I will not go there.

I think you were too hasty in hiring another builder, (although I understand why you did it), with no proper communication with him to give him a deadline for work completion.
If you had sent a recorded delivery letter stating your intentions you would have had more of a case.