Pursuing Tradesman for Money Owed

[SpunkyGlory]

A carpenter agreed to build some custom cupboards in July 23, and we paid a deposit for materials.

The carcasses were finally built and installed in December but we still have no doors, just excuse after excuse and he's now gone silent. He still owes us c. £1200 in material, although he claimed before Christmas that the doors were built and painted.

He isn't responding to calls or texts (he has habit for this) when I've requested either a refund, or the built doors if he's telling the truth about them being finished, which I don't think he is. I assume he's a sole trader as I can't find any company details online.

What's my best legal course of action? I know the village where he lives but don't have an exact address, but assuming I can find one online and then go through the small claims court? My concern is that even if I win, I won't necessarily get anything from him as I gather he's short on cash due to an on-going custody battle.

[SpunkyGlory]

BertBert said:

Sadly I suspect your options are extremely limited as he's got no money and you don't have a way of contacting him.
Other than tying to find more creative ways to contact him, I suspect you are pretty stuck.

How did you make contact in the first place?

He was recommended by our kitchen fitter, who is absolutely mortified now and trying to contact on our behalf.

I have found out the road that he lives on according to a crime report in a paper, so will try having a scour this weekend.

[SpunkyGlory]

I've no issues going to confront him if I can find out where he lives. I have thought about taking his tools as payment, but ultimately I don't want him without the ability to earn, I just want what is owed to me.