portlock seagull
Why? Why us?
- Jul 28, 2003
- 17,199
When he doesn’t turn up and start the job!
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
[Help] General question on deposit for building work
- Thread starter Uncle C
- Start date
When he doesn’t turn up and start the job!
- Aug 7, 2003
- 7,820
Companies House will tell you if he’s solvent
If it was a big job, I would disagree with NB (not that he'd expect any different) and, I'd agree stage payments, groundworks complete, first story build, weatherproofed, internals etc, to cover materials but definitely nothing up front.
Sorry.
This.
The one exception is where you've committed to bespoke items eg skylights or unique windows/doors, but want the builder to acquire them. It's unlikely they have a trade credit account with a specialist, who'll themselves require payment up front.
Otherwise do not pay ahead of a job starting. They're using your cashflow, when their existing jobs if they're run properly should meet working capital.
- Aug 7, 2003
- 7,820
It fails because construction contracts don’t cater for upfront payments. If the builder doesn’t have trade contract with his suppliers which normally state 30. day payments from delivery, he has cash flow problems
at one given moment in time - this will be the last audited accounts which could be as old as 12-16mths!
Steve Parish's annual trick.
folkestonesgull
Active member
I've always paid for materials directly myself on a trade account and then paid the builders weekly for work.
HAILSHAM SEAGULL
Well-known member
- Nov 9, 2009
- 10,348
Name and shame
Uncle C
Well-known member
- Thread starter
- #52
Today is the final day I have given him for my refund
Here is the essence of my next steps which I will inform the builder of at midnight. Incidentally I have found at least one previous customer who under similar circumstances, got his refund by threatening to break his legs.
Small Claims Court
The Courts legal fees and £200, to cover my admin costs, will be added to the bill
Internet
Its not difficult to tarnish the reputation of any business
Local press
We have a contact in the local newspaper who is showing interest in a story about how two Pensioners were duped out of their money by a local business.
HMRC
We are happy to convey conversations we had with xxx about which payments he selects to declare for tax purposes
VAT Department
We will advise them of conversations which took place with xxx about how he selects the jobs he chooses to charge and declare for VAT.
Croydon Council
We will contact them to make them aware of the way that xxxxxx xxxxxx Ltd runs its business.
Bankruptcy
If you cannot pay your Company debts then we will seek advice on getting you declared Bankrupt.
Trading Standards
I'm sure will show an interest in this case
Here is the essence of my next steps which I will inform the builder of at midnight. Incidentally I have found at least one previous customer who under similar circumstances, got his refund by threatening to break his legs.
Small Claims Court
The Courts legal fees and £200, to cover my admin costs, will be added to the bill
Internet
Its not difficult to tarnish the reputation of any business
Local press
We have a contact in the local newspaper who is showing interest in a story about how two Pensioners were duped out of their money by a local business.
HMRC
We are happy to convey conversations we had with xxx about which payments he selects to declare for tax purposes
VAT Department
We will advise them of conversations which took place with xxx about how he selects the jobs he chooses to charge and declare for VAT.
Croydon Council
We will contact them to make them aware of the way that xxxxxx xxxxxx Ltd runs its business.
Bankruptcy
If you cannot pay your Company debts then we will seek advice on getting you declared Bankrupt.
Trading Standards
I'm sure will show an interest in this case
Last edited:
dsr-burnley
Well-known member
- Aug 15, 2014
- 2,194
I think it's only fraud if there's deliberate deception. And even if there is, it would be impossible to prove.
This would be breach of contract, not a criminal offence, and it's a civil matter.
- Aug 7, 2003
- 7,820
Personally, I wouldn’t use him. If you decide to, suggest that you go with him to his trade suppliers and pay for the materials yourself, as this will make them your property when delivered. He’ll lose his margin trade vs retail, but that’ll be his choice.
dsr-burnley
Well-known member
- Aug 15, 2014
- 2,194
There's a more subtle way of doing this. A friend of mine happened to have access to a rather posh car, so he got two more of his friends to help out. One of them - a big bloke, a rugby forward, put on dark glasses and a suit and drove the car. The other sat in the back. They drove up to where the builder was working, and the chauffeur got out of the car and opened the back door for the other bloke to casually get out and say "you owe my associate John Smith £x, and he wants it back. Tomorrow." Then got back in the car and drove off.
No threats were offered at all, but he got the money the same day.
Been like it since the start of Covid and most definitely a major contributory factor in our nightmare - Mrs B wanted it doing and we experienced the very same.....
Well I’m going back to this job where I’ve had my trouble and taking my doors back very soon. It’ll be a bit of a job to board up the hole though but she’ll manage I suppose.
Thank god Ive never felt the need to go on Checkatrade (what a joke they are)
Thank god Ive never felt the need to go on Checkatrade (what a joke they are)
- Aug 7, 2003
- 7,820
Sorry, I should’ve read your original post more carefully. Was there anything recorded in writing about the deposit?