Hi guys (and gals!)
The search function didn't help me when looking if anyone has posted anything similar, so, here goes!
I required some building work carried out, which was to build a reinforcing wall to support a bowed cellar wall. Additionally, I also needed the floor joists and floorboards replacing.
Initially, the first quote for the building work included VAT, but no invoices were produced with a VAT reg number on them. The builder, who is the father of the chap who OWNS the business then negotiated the price for the flooring, but he would do the work "ex VAT" and pay the money through the "non company" account.
Essentially, as far as I'm concerned, the company is all legit, and I am spoke to the Owner about an all in cost of £2200, which as far as I'm concerned was all agreed (verbally).
The works to the cellar overran as the labourer filled the back of the new wall in too quick with the back fill, and the builder had bought the wrong wall ties. This was picked up by the structural engineer who insisted the wall had to come down and put back up using the correct ties and allowing the wall to set before backfilling.
Apart from this, I was reasonably happy with the standard of work, until the builder finished his work and basically buggered off, dropping the key off at my work!
After the builder left, he had left tools, a cement mixer and a ****e load of mess in the back garden. OK, I thought, I did say put the wood in the garden, but I wasn't expecting it to be just thrown there and left in an bloody huge pile and mess.
Also, the original back fill that had to be removed and old mortar was dumped in the garden which I had to remove myself.
Internally, a door frame had been ripped out without checking with me, a door was taken off its hinges and not replaced and scrap wood and bits left lying around. The solid stone hearth under the fire had been removed, and the hole in the brick work under the fire was not filled in, even though this would have been essential because I was having a DPC fitted!
The door frame was the big thing though, as the top of the frame supports some brickwork, the bricks were exposed and loose, and potentially could have falled out, causing damage or injury.
Anyway, the builder has come round, and has come out with some great stories about how his son has given birth to another child and oh no, sorry I havent been in touch, my son has had a nervous breakdown.
He comes round to pick up a cheque, and I try to point out the door frame, but hes in a rush and is harping on about his son being not well and having taken on too much work etc etc. The cheque is for £2200, and he makes a comment about 'is that the right amount' to which I replied 'yep, thats all been agreed'.
This was a FULL MONTH ago, in which the cheque was cashed and I've not heard a thing from them.
Theres been no communication, not even a phone call, and all of a sudden...... I get an email telling me that I owe £230 for outstanding VAT, and if I don't pay within 7 days, then 29% interest will be added per month!
There was a interesting conversation in which the builder basically threatened to come down and "sort me out" if it wasn't paid up, to which I told him to 'bugger off'!!
I have spoken to trading standards about this, and they will get in touch with me again.
But - have any of you had a similar problem?
My problem is, is that because the builder wasn't contactable, then I had to do some of the work myself (replacing the brickwork under the fire) and replacing the door frame, as well and general cleaning up the mess left behind.
Also, I have not recieved any reciepts, statements or proper invoices with VAT numbers on. Where do I stand on this?
I think theres a possibility it could get naughty with the builder because he has turned from being an alright sort of bloke to a complete and utter prick! 'You won't like me when I get nasty - ask around, you'll find out what I'm really like when I get nasty' has been one of his phrases!
Any info or advice, mucho greatly appreciated.
The search function didn't help me when looking if anyone has posted anything similar, so, here goes!
I required some building work carried out, which was to build a reinforcing wall to support a bowed cellar wall. Additionally, I also needed the floor joists and floorboards replacing.
Initially, the first quote for the building work included VAT, but no invoices were produced with a VAT reg number on them. The builder, who is the father of the chap who OWNS the business then negotiated the price for the flooring, but he would do the work "ex VAT" and pay the money through the "non company" account.
Essentially, as far as I'm concerned, the company is all legit, and I am spoke to the Owner about an all in cost of £2200, which as far as I'm concerned was all agreed (verbally).
The works to the cellar overran as the labourer filled the back of the new wall in too quick with the back fill, and the builder had bought the wrong wall ties. This was picked up by the structural engineer who insisted the wall had to come down and put back up using the correct ties and allowing the wall to set before backfilling.
Apart from this, I was reasonably happy with the standard of work, until the builder finished his work and basically buggered off, dropping the key off at my work!
After the builder left, he had left tools, a cement mixer and a ****e load of mess in the back garden. OK, I thought, I did say put the wood in the garden, but I wasn't expecting it to be just thrown there and left in an bloody huge pile and mess.
Also, the original back fill that had to be removed and old mortar was dumped in the garden which I had to remove myself.
Internally, a door frame had been ripped out without checking with me, a door was taken off its hinges and not replaced and scrap wood and bits left lying around. The solid stone hearth under the fire had been removed, and the hole in the brick work under the fire was not filled in, even though this would have been essential because I was having a DPC fitted!
The door frame was the big thing though, as the top of the frame supports some brickwork, the bricks were exposed and loose, and potentially could have falled out, causing damage or injury.
Anyway, the builder has come round, and has come out with some great stories about how his son has given birth to another child and oh no, sorry I havent been in touch, my son has had a nervous breakdown.
He comes round to pick up a cheque, and I try to point out the door frame, but hes in a rush and is harping on about his son being not well and having taken on too much work etc etc. The cheque is for £2200, and he makes a comment about 'is that the right amount' to which I replied 'yep, thats all been agreed'.
This was a FULL MONTH ago, in which the cheque was cashed and I've not heard a thing from them.
Theres been no communication, not even a phone call, and all of a sudden...... I get an email telling me that I owe £230 for outstanding VAT, and if I don't pay within 7 days, then 29% interest will be added per month!
There was a interesting conversation in which the builder basically threatened to come down and "sort me out" if it wasn't paid up, to which I told him to 'bugger off'!!
I have spoken to trading standards about this, and they will get in touch with me again.
But - have any of you had a similar problem?
My problem is, is that because the builder wasn't contactable, then I had to do some of the work myself (replacing the brickwork under the fire) and replacing the door frame, as well and general cleaning up the mess left behind.
Also, I have not recieved any reciepts, statements or proper invoices with VAT numbers on. Where do I stand on this?
I think theres a possibility it could get naughty with the builder because he has turned from being an alright sort of bloke to a complete and utter prick! 'You won't like me when I get nasty - ask around, you'll find out what I'm really like when I get nasty' has been one of his phrases!
Any info or advice, mucho greatly appreciated.