Experience in building disputes

[raydona]

Hello,
I'm looking for someone who has experience or currently involved in building disputes. I lived in my father's property for over 30 years. In that time I carried out building works, both major and minor, for which I was never paid. He recently passed away. In his will he left the house to my sister. Using Inheritance Act I am claiming some amount of money for the works done. My sister is disputing the monetary value of the works. I need someone who has accreditation, e.g. belongs to Federation of Master Builders or similar, who can look at the works done and say how much he would have charged had he carried out the works. He will have to provide some kind of written estimate (and maybe back it up if required) that is suitable for a court of law. All help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[noseall]

Where is Woody when you need him...….

 

[^woody^]

Still in bed.

 

[Iamchamps]

Did you pay rent / mortgage to live there? I guess the counter claim is yes you may have done that work but you got to live in a house for nothing. 30 years of rent vs building work.

 

[^woody^]

I need someone who has accreditation, e.g. belongs to Federation of Master Builders

No. You need someone from a profession, not someone who has paid £200 and filled in a form.

RICS, CIOB may be the most appropriate, or even an insurance loss adjuster from Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters - as long as they don't deduct wear and tear .

With expert claims and reports, you need to go as high as possible - people with qualifications and letters after their name. And you need to be clear on what you are instructing them and the purpose - are they skilled in the expert witness process under CPR part 35 (Civil Procedure Rules) for instance, can they go to Court and give evidence if need be?.

But above all, unless you have some arrangement with your sister/executor to just present a figure and they agree it, you would need specific legal advice on your position.

When you are living at a home with someone as a family and contributing to the household, then you are entitled to part of the house or specifically the value of the house if you have contributed to it. So for an extension say, it's not just the cost of building it but the value it has added to the house. This concept is what unmarried couples can use when one is not on the deeds so does not own the property, but has contributed to it significantly in one way or another. Even if you were not living with your father and had different arrangements, the principle may well still stand.