What if my builder has done a runner?

Question

I am curently doing my house up to sell. I have employed a local builder/handyman to do the work which should take 2-3 weeks in total. I have agreed to pay him a fixed amount for labour and all material costs (he provides receipts and I give him the money). Last FRiday I agreed to give him half his fee as he needed some cash and he had done nearly half the job (even though taken him nearly 3 weeks just to do half), he was going to phone me Monday about what to do next and another job I had for him at work. He didn;t phone.....I have tried to phone him over past 2 days but his mobile is switched off, I left voicemail and text him putting a delivery report on the text so I know when he has read it. I am now worried that he's decided not to finish the job and left me in a mess. He still has my door key and £100 for materials he was supposed to buy Monday. What can I do ? I only have a mobile and nothing in writing (ok, I am stupid)

Answer 1

Firstly, you are NOT stupid and you can do something about this. If he has no contact with you within 3 weeks you can report him to the Dept of Trading Standards and the Office of Fair Trade.
As for your house key, you can report him to the Police for theft and I strongly advise you to do so. In the mean time, talk to the Police and tell them you suspect he has done a runner, with your key and you would like regular patrols to keep an eye on your property.
I would also advise him that if he doesn't contact you, you are going to report him to the depts of Fair Trade etc and the Police.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I think you need to be just a little more patient.As you say he is local,he'll hardly do a runner for a measly £100.What's probably happened is his next customers been getting impatient and he's making a start on that job cos he doesn't want to lose them.He'll turn up soon and keep you happy for a week or so and probably do the same again.He obviously underestimated how long it would take,but I'm sure he'll be back.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

No you are not stupid. There are just too many cowboys out there.
You say he is local, do you know his address? If not where did you get his details from? If he advertises in a local paper speak to the advertising dept explaining that he still has your door key.
Contact Trading Standards to see if there are any complaints about him.
Contact the police as well.

Don't leave it too long before trying to find someone else to finish the job, good builders are booked up for months in advance.

Good luck.

Answer 6

if he's local and known to you he'd be a fool to just do a runner

it's his rep on the line and word of mouth goes far
i'd leave him one last message say if you have no reply i'll contract someone else and take you to the claims court to get any money back he owes you

ps u r not a fool
i went into a £40grand extension without a written contract i fell lucky and it was with decent builders but they could of easily let me down they had 15grand up front and the rest in instalments the last 15 they didnt get till i was happy and it was complete

Answer 7

Sorry, but you have answered your own question. Still very sorry for you. I went through a near similar situation. You must get your door key back. You say you 'employed a local builder/handyman' - do you not have any more information? Did you take his van number? If so the local police may well be able to help you. Can you trace his mobile number?Regards Jo.
www.save-money-guide.com.

Answer 8

Change that lock this morning before you do anything else. Call a lock smith and tell them it is an emergency.

This sort of thing happens often, so don't kick yourself.

Something to remember, they do not like for us to look over their shoulder while they are working. They also do not like it when the customer keeps changing their minds. And they don't like a customer that talks to them. They are trying to finish a job and cannot have distractions.

You now need to call two or three contractors and get free estimates. This time, get everything in writing.

Answer 9

if he was a real conman he would have had some of your money upfront ..and then you would not have seen him again ..the fact that he worked for 3 weeks without asking for money says hes not all bad ..something could have happened to him ..nobody knows .. where did you find him ?..try looking harder ..and did he say it would only take 3 weeks?..or was it somebody else who said it ..you did not say you were dissatisfied with the work ..so don't give up on him yet ..even if you do feel let down

Answer 10

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