Worrying Letter

[James Davis]

Hello, I need advice.

I'm getting an extension done on my house in Yorkshire. Starting next week. I got four quotes. One of the builders who eventually provided a quote, after I'd chased him - I basically thought he wasn't interested as he took months to come back to me - has now sent me a scary letter on headed paper saying I owe him £5K after I told him that I've decided to use a different builder.

I provide the text below. It has really stressed me out. I didn't think I owe anybody anything without a formal instruction, I just wanted a quote. He has said he assisted me... he suggested a plans person nearly a year ago who I independently contacted, got a quote from and ended up using. Builder has been to my property twice to discuss, but so have others. The messages he refers to are over a long period of time. In March 2024 I didn't even have a plan, was just drawing sketches and talking to people about how it might work.

Edited Post
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I then told him about my decision.

What do I do?

 

[endecotp]

So you paid the architectural technician, right?

 

[James Davis]

Yes. I engaged him directly. He was recommended by this builder, not employed by him, and there was no communication between them about it as far as I know.

 

[noseall]

I'm sympathetic with the builder as well as suspicious that he's grasping. £5k! Do one, I say.

We have been knocked back a couple of times, after being promised work, only to be told that they have engaged another builder that can do it sooner. Tough titties I say. However, I know of a number of builders that ask for a deposit, as part of booking in the client.

Large contacts do take time and effort to put together, and this is usually offset against winning the contract. It's shítty when it goes elsewhere. Did you agree to pay a fee for the quote etc?

 

[James Davis]

No fee agreed for quote. This is only a single storey side extension. He is a highly experienced builder well known. I was amazed he made such a meal out of it as others came back within a week. It didn't bring me any pleasure to go elsewhere, but it was either that or not get it done at all as I couldn't afford what he wanted. Also, his message following the quote, in his own words, asked if I wanted to use him or not, or go elsewhere. He seems to be angry that this and another job haven't gone his way. I just want to make sure I'm not in any trouble. I work full time, extension starts next week, my partner is pregnant with our first child, and I have an MRI scan booked for a suspicious lump on my prostate. Really didn't need this nasty curve ball throwing at me.

Would really appreciate honest advice. Better if I know and can act.

 

[Koolpc]

Seek legal advice would be my opinion.....

 

[tony1851]

I doubt there's any contract here, implied or express.
The building industry seems to be one of the few which normally does not charge for quoting.
As Nose points out, you win some and loose some.
Its a wasteful system in a way from the builder's perspective because for each job undertaken, 3 or 4 other builders will have lost time quoting.

 

[noseall]

Would really appreciate honest advice. Better if I know and can act.

Ignore the demand for £5k. There is no basis. He's winging it hoping that you are a soft touch. If it came down to arbitration, you'd be expected to perhaps give a token £200 quid if you are lucky.

 

[Koolpc]

Get legal advice and have your solicitor send him a stern letter. He seems like a thug / bully....stop him in his tracks via official means....

 

[James Davis]

Ignore the demand for £5k. There is no basis. He's winging it hoping that you are a soft touch. If it came down to arbitration, you'd be expected to perhaps give a token £200 quid if you are lucky.

So I pay £200 if I'm lucky? For what? It makes a mockery of getting quotes from builders, or anybody else, if it's a foregone conclusion that the person you've asked gets the job. This guy seems to have assumed he was getting the job and is angry that he hasn't. How come the other people I got quotes from are not harassing me with letters? Bearing in mind that some of his claims are exaggerated or made to give the impression of a contract. I asked him for a quote - by definition, that means I want him to tell me what it would cost for him to do it, it isn't an instruction. I didn't at any point say "this job is yours" or "I want you to do it." Never said it, messaged it, signed a letter to say it.

 

[Old Salt]

Ignore the demand for £5k. There is no basis. He's winging it hoping that you are a soft touch. If it came down to arbitration, you'd be expected to perhaps give a token £200 quid if you are lucky.

Better off spending the £200 on a solicitors letter telling him to do one.

 

[Koolpc]

Better off spending the £200 on a solicitors letter telling him to do one.

This....

 

[Murdochcat]

Ignore him. Hasn’t a leg to stand on and if he threatens to take you to court simply say “see you there”

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Do you have legal cover on your home insurance?

 

[James Davis]

Probably not and debatable whether it would cover this even if I did have such cover.

I'm wondering which court in the land would entertain this guy saying he deserves money for doing a quote and then not getting the job.

His first paragraph is a lie. He didn't assist me in getting approval - he simply told me the name of somebody who does drawings and wasn't subsequently involved at all in the plans or getting permission - and didn't know I had permission until I voluntarily told him. I didn't "book" him for March. I said I wanted it doing in the spring or sooner - availability being relevant information for acquiring a quote from a suitable individual. He has even twisted the words of his own message, which I quote at the end of my first post. He asked if I wanted to proceed with him or use a different builder - no assumption that I would use him or that he was "booked".

Let's not forget - I messaged him beginning of November to ask if he had given thought to the plans and a quote. Didn't get any response at all for 40 days. No acknowledgement. Only got a response after I tried, unsuccessfully, to call. Ended up speaking to him mid December and said I'd got the impression he wasn't interested in the job and was in communication with other builders for quotes. He then became more proactive although it was still a long wait to get the quote in mid January. I had gone off him by now because of his poor communication, slow response times, being a bit blunt in his communications and ultimately that he was too expensive.

I am minded to ignore him completely. On the other hand, it might be worth me responding to to politely dispute his falsehoods so that is on record and so his letter won't appear uncontested.