Builder's business closed before completion...

[jayney71]

We really need some advice if anyone can help...

Our extension and renovation project is 90% complete but we heard from our builder's wife last week that he's been taken seriously ill very suddenly - brain haemorrhage - so she's had to close the business. Obviously terrible for him and his family but it does leave us in limbo.

We've managed to contact a few people who worked for him and we're starting to get things moving but we're worried about what happens if something goes wrong and what guarantees we have now.

The builder's wife has given us no indication about anything and, unfortunately we didn't have a contract.... we're kicking ourselves as we bought a JCT contract but never got round to using it, mainly as I was 8 months pregnant when the work started and we had a lot to organise!

If anyone has any advice we'd really appreciate it.

Thank you.
Jayne

 

[RHGrenedier]

I don't think there's an easy answer to this.
From the perspective of your builder's wife, it's a trying and difficult time, coping with the sudden illness and the associated problems of sorting out the business.
From your perspective, you're worried about the completion of your project, etc.

You appear to be on reasonable terms with the wife and the workers of your builder, so why not approach one of the leading workers to see if anything can be rescued from the closed business, before considering any more formal avenues.
There may be formal avenues depending on the nature of the business.

Also, a lot will depend on any transfers of money already completed, and perhaps the trades that are still required to complete the work, e.g. it's a bit pointless approaching a brickie if the only work left is say electrics and decorating, unless, of course, the brickie is willing and in a position to arrange for electricians to attend.
So there's much more information required in order to be able to offer any sensible advice.
Do you have anyone close to you, in the trade, that can offer impartial advice and support.

 

[terrypin]

As above really.

You need someone to project manage the last and final stage. Get together a list of trades needed to complete and then get quotes for the work.

It should be pretty straight forward to complete.

It's an emotional time for his wife and she may not react too well to pressure at the moment.

 

[WabbitPoo]

There IS no pressure you can exert - you have no contract. You won't really owe anything and she/he won't owe you anything back.

Just do as stated - get a builder to quote for carrying on. I can't see this being anything a major problem for you as long as you stay calm.

Good luck with it, and dont forget to post pics of the finished job!

 

[jayney71]

Thank you for all your replies.

We're pretty much doing as advised - we contacted someone who worked for the builder who can pick up some things, and we were already dealing directly with the electrician. We're trying to sort out the other trades as well.

We certainly don't want to add to the wife's problems at the moment but, even without a contract, what would we do if, say, in 12 months' time the epdm roof starts leaking or any other problems?

Thanks all.
J

 

[RHGrenedier]

I think you'd have to explore your options, at the time, if it is required.
Some builders belong to trade organisations which provide the guarrantee. Others have private insurance arrangments.

So it depends on the status of your builder whether any guarrantee currently exists or is extended for any period into the future.

Whatever the current situation, it's not likely to change in the near future, and your builder's wife will have lots more important things on her mind at the moment (from her perspective).

The further complication is that you will have had more than one firm doing the work, so any claim in the future will be disputed by both organisations.

Does your house insurance cover you for legal expenses? If it does it might be worth having a chat with them.

 

[terrypin]

Any guarantees should be provided by the installers, roof, electrical, plumbing etc. very few guarantees will be underwritten by insurance companies.
The guarantees will only be as good as the tradesman and as long as he trades.
But we are getting ahead of ourselves at this moment in time.

Get the work completed and cross each bridge as you approach it. Don't make yourself ill with worry as you have little to worry about, really.

Good luck and take your time making decisions, don't panic.

Terry.