Awol builder

[MittensMcGee]

We had a builder (sole trader) do our extension, it is finished but he hasn’t given us the required certificates (building control and electrical safety) and we can’t get hold of him. I’ve tried ringing, WhatsApp, and email. Apparently it would cost us £700+
to arrange these, is there anything we can do?

Have you paid him yet ?

In my experience a lot of trades are notoriously bad at delivering paperwork. Normally the only way you can force it out of them is with some sort of leverage, so for example holding back 10% of payment to be paid on presentation of appropriate paperwork.

Did your contract with him state that he was responsible for delivering these ?

It would be unusual for someone to go completely underground to avoid delivering stuff like this, so are you sure he hasn't been ill or hit by some sort of family emergency ?

Don't make the final payment to him until you've got the paperwork and been through any snagging necessary.

There is a lot of illness around at the moment so he might not be working?