We are currently in dispute with a builder.
We hired a builder to fit out kitchen which he estimated would cost about £800. They worked at the kitchen for 2 days, saying it will take them 3 days but within the 2 days we found serious faults with their work.
1. They ranged from completely boxing in our boiler so that there was no ventilation
2. To not installing the end panels to wonky and he refused to tile until right below the bottom of the wall units.
3. Also they cut up our end panels to produce boxing, which was not agreed, they were going to buy extra material for the boxing.
4. None of the wall units were level; and work surfaces were slanting.
5. They cut in the sink badly so that on one edge there is a 3 cm gap and on the other a 2 cm gap to the worktop.
5. Cupboard doors did not open and close, and they ruined the inside of some of the units by drilling multiple holes because obviously they did not know what they were doing.
We got second opinions from 2 builders and have collected a 24 points of mistake lists. So we decided not to ask the builders to return and hire another builder to set it right. We had to spend about £350 replacing the damaged materials and another £1500 to pay another builder to remove the kitchen units and then refit them. Also knock off the tiles and retile.
We have sent the builder a letter outlining the defect with pictures and told him that due to the large number or errors we lost confidence that he would complete the job with enough diligence and to a reasonable standard. We had paid him £560. We also paid all his material cost. He claims that there are £240 outstanding, and he wants to come back and complete the work.
We told we do not want him to come back for the outstanding work; as the work was not good enough and we do not want him to damage any materials further. He threatened my husband and told us he is going to come round and smash up our kitchen with a hammer.
He claims that it is his right to either get paid, or come and finish the job. We do not want to let him back into the house after he has threatened physical violence.
He started sending me threatening text messages such as “call me or find yourself a new kitchen” which I decided not to ignore.
We sent him another letter telling him again that we do not want him to return to work because he had damaged so many of our materials and we do not trust that he has the skill to finish the job to a high enough standard. I also told him that now he is threatening us with breaking into our house and smashing up our kitchen , we no longer feel safe with him in our property, and if he trespasses we will call the police. If he wants to claim the rest of the money he should take us to court.
It’s not about the amount of money, I think its more about the principle. How can he expect to be paid in full for a job that was done badly, he has not finished and had to be completely redone. Also these threats are awful; and I do not think that somebody should threaten someone like this and think you can still get paid? We tried to talk to him reasonably but he just shouts at us and threatens us.
Even though I am determined to stand up to this builder, I find the situation quite stressful; as you do not know how crazy some people can be.
Does anybody have any further advice?
We hired a builder to fit out kitchen which he estimated would cost about £800. They worked at the kitchen for 2 days, saying it will take them 3 days but within the 2 days we found serious faults with their work.
1. They ranged from completely boxing in our boiler so that there was no ventilation
2. To not installing the end panels to wonky and he refused to tile until right below the bottom of the wall units.
3. Also they cut up our end panels to produce boxing, which was not agreed, they were going to buy extra material for the boxing.
4. None of the wall units were level; and work surfaces were slanting.
5. They cut in the sink badly so that on one edge there is a 3 cm gap and on the other a 2 cm gap to the worktop.
5. Cupboard doors did not open and close, and they ruined the inside of some of the units by drilling multiple holes because obviously they did not know what they were doing.
We got second opinions from 2 builders and have collected a 24 points of mistake lists. So we decided not to ask the builders to return and hire another builder to set it right. We had to spend about £350 replacing the damaged materials and another £1500 to pay another builder to remove the kitchen units and then refit them. Also knock off the tiles and retile.
We have sent the builder a letter outlining the defect with pictures and told him that due to the large number or errors we lost confidence that he would complete the job with enough diligence and to a reasonable standard. We had paid him £560. We also paid all his material cost. He claims that there are £240 outstanding, and he wants to come back and complete the work.
We told we do not want him to come back for the outstanding work; as the work was not good enough and we do not want him to damage any materials further. He threatened my husband and told us he is going to come round and smash up our kitchen with a hammer.
He claims that it is his right to either get paid, or come and finish the job. We do not want to let him back into the house after he has threatened physical violence.
He started sending me threatening text messages such as “call me or find yourself a new kitchen” which I decided not to ignore.
We sent him another letter telling him again that we do not want him to return to work because he had damaged so many of our materials and we do not trust that he has the skill to finish the job to a high enough standard. I also told him that now he is threatening us with breaking into our house and smashing up our kitchen , we no longer feel safe with him in our property, and if he trespasses we will call the police. If he wants to claim the rest of the money he should take us to court.
It’s not about the amount of money, I think its more about the principle. How can he expect to be paid in full for a job that was done badly, he has not finished and had to be completely redone. Also these threats are awful; and I do not think that somebody should threaten someone like this and think you can still get paid? We tried to talk to him reasonably but he just shouts at us and threatens us.
Even though I am determined to stand up to this builder, I find the situation quite stressful; as you do not know how crazy some people can be.
Does anybody have any further advice?
