Relationship broken down with builder - am I being unreasonable

[slider09]

Hi there,

Quick question - I am having some work done in my house.
Building Inspector came out last week and said he wasn't 100% happy and requested some other work doing as per engineers calculations.

Builder was fine and did this work no issues. He took photographs, submitted these to the BI then carried on with the work. Plasterboard up and skimmed the walls.

Job has now finished and he is requesting payment. I paid 50% of the total before he even started and I am now suggesting I pay a further 25% as he has finished, but withhold the final 25% until the building inspector is happy with the work. Builder put up the plasterboard and skimmed before getting final approval.

So question to the professional builders on here. If you were my builder would be unhappy for your customer to withhold 25% until all is approved?

 

[Nige F]

Unhappy yes. 10% I would be happy with

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Yes 25% is too much.

 

[Christian and Beccy]

Genuine question, if you're confident in your work, why would 25% bother you?

 

[^woody^]

why would 25% bother you?

Because it's a big chunk of money and can affect cash flow and paying the men and mortgage.

 

[tony1851]

Genuine question, if you're confident in your work, why would 25% bother you?

If you'd built a small extension for someone and quoted - say - £16K for the whole job, would you want to wait
for an indeterminate period for your remaining £4K?.
How much profit do you think builders make?

 

[slider09]

It was only a small job. 25% was £375

Builder was not happy about anything being withheld and insisted on full payment.

 

[tony1851]

It was only a small job. 25% was £375

Builder was not happy about anything being withheld and insisted on full payment.

So £1500?
We don't know his outlay, but regardless, 25% as a proportion is still too much.

For a small job, there is perhaps even more incentive for the builder to insist on no - or minimal - retention.
Chasing customers up for (potentially) delayed payments takes time, regardless of the amount.

Have you been chasing up the inspector for the certificate? - it would not be fair to sit back
and leave matters between the builder and council.

 

[slider09]

I have chased up BI, all good.
Builder paid in full.

Now I know 10% is an accepted amount.

Thanks all