Anyone had to sue a builder for return of deposit?

[DeeplyMovingExperience]

Yes, I'm that stupid person who paid an upfront deposit for works that have been kicked down the road by the building company. Delay after delay, excuse after excuse. I feel like a complete fool.

I have no idea how I'm going to get my money back, except via the small claims court but even then trying to get money out of people is such a nightmare.

Has anyone else been in this situation? All advice gratefully received.

Check companies house - are they still trading and do they have funds to repay you?

Write to them now with a 'letter of claim / letter before action' setting out your case - I assume breach of contract (contract can be oral). Give them 14 days to acknowledge receipt of the letter and a further 14 days to respond. In the absence of a response, start small claims proceedings.

Is this a one man band or big company? How much money did you leave as a deposit and, have they disappeared or just not responding?

I have to look into all the info tomorrow I guess. So searching on companies house or something?

No, but we got close.

We sent him a draft of the (factual but damming) review we were planning on posting everywhere, and out architect told him he would be warning all the other local architects never to recommend him.

Might be coincidence, but he coughed up.

If they have no money, there is no point in suing them because they won't pay you or they'll wind the company up before having to pay you - depending on what sort of business it is and how much money you are owed.