Electrician Nightmare - Wont turn up for 2nd Fix

[securespark]

There's another possibility, one which I do wonder about given how frequently we hear tales of electricians unaccountably disappearing.

The spark has gone on holiday?


***
Ho, ho, ho

Santa
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[ban-all-sheds]

Nope - that's not it.

 

[Lower]

You could always put it in writing that they are on notice to complete the job as per the original agreement within 14 days, otherwise you will get it redone and any additional reasonable costs as a result of that will be down at their expense.
As long as you give the required notice and use registered post or some other way to prove they got it, then you're free to raise a small claim for the difference. If they know that, then that might clarify their mind to finish off.
If you don't want the stress as per doggit suggestion just find another electrician and hopefully one will take it on at your own cost

This

It may encourage them to enter into dialogue to allow things to move forward.

 

[Lectrician]

That’s only any good if there was a contract in place to begin with!

 

[Lower]

That’s only any good if there was a contract in place to begin with!

True. But even if there wasn't getting a threatening letter can start a dialogue that wasn't there before.

 

[John D v2.0]

Contract is often verbal.
If I ask you to do some work for money and you start it, a contract is formed. The courts will have to work out the terms to the best of their ability if it comes to that, so it's always best to have a written contract, but the contract still exists regardless.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Contract is often verbal.

They aren't worth the paper they're written on.

 

[SimonH2]

They aren't worth the paper they're written on.

Maybe, but the fact that the electrician did some of the work, and a staged payment was accepted, proves that a contract was entered into. As John D v2.0 says above, the courts would need to work out what terms would be assumed. To start with there would be the implied terms laid down in consumer protection legislation - such as materials being fit for purpose and services being performed to a reasonable standard.
But the key term that could be assumed would be that in the absence of something written down to the contrary, the electrician could be expected to do the 2nd fix as well as the first. It's hard to imagine the courts accepting (if the contractor claimed it) that someone would contract with the chippie's company to do the building work and first fix - but not the 2nd fix, given the problems that would cause.

So if the OP did go to court, he'd stand a very good chance of prevailing. A sensible business person would realise that and not take the chance.