Cowboy Builder Not Doing Work
Discussion
Hi All,
Hired a builder to do some work at my property, used the guy before did an ok job and had no issues.
Paid him £700 up front via BACS (70% of the job cost) for materials and what not.
Said he'd arrive this Wednesday to do the work, didn't.
On Thursday he says his van has broken down and so forth.
I googled him and he's using a different name now but this guy has been taken to court multiple times for taking money and not doing the work, to the point he's been in a national newspaper.
I phoned my bank and filed a scam report but didn't proceed as I wanted to give him the opportunity to give me my money back. They have all the details I just need to say proceed and they will undertake their side of things.
After much back and forth he now says he will deposit the money back in my account by this coming Wednesday - Personally I don't have much faith that he will.
What would be my best course of action to get my money back?
Mods: Please move this if this isn't the right place to post.
Hired a builder to do some work at my property, used the guy before did an ok job and had no issues.
Paid him £700 up front via BACS (70% of the job cost) for materials and what not.
Said he'd arrive this Wednesday to do the work, didn't.
On Thursday he says his van has broken down and so forth.
I googled him and he's using a different name now but this guy has been taken to court multiple times for taking money and not doing the work, to the point he's been in a national newspaper.
I phoned my bank and filed a scam report but didn't proceed as I wanted to give him the opportunity to give me my money back. They have all the details I just need to say proceed and they will undertake their side of things.
After much back and forth he now says he will deposit the money back in my account by this coming Wednesday - Personally I don't have much faith that he will.
What would be my best course of action to get my money back?
Mods: Please move this if this isn't the right place to post.
Don't give him the benefit of the doubt.
He's done it before and will be doing it with others. He's already lied to you and promising a refund next Wednesday is just an attempt to stall you.
Absolutely file the report with the bank now.
If it's a genuine one off on his part it won't affect him unduly. If he's a scammer, you will be helping protect other people from becoming victims.
He's done it before and will be doing it with others. He's already lied to you and promising a refund next Wednesday is just an attempt to stall you.
Absolutely file the report with the bank now.
If it's a genuine one off on his part it won't affect him unduly. If he's a scammer, you will be helping protect other people from becoming victims.
Going through something similar myself currently with a builder I took on to do plastering work. So far I've made a report to Trading standards through Citizens Advice and I am also logging a report with Action Fraud then when I have the reference numbers from both I can go back to the bank for them to (hopefully) take action.
Honestly I don't expect to see the money again which was about £500 so not a massive amount but I want to make the guys life as hard as I possibly can.
Honestly I don't expect to see the money again which was about £500 so not a massive amount but I want to make the guys life as hard as I possibly can.
Strict legal answer is send a letter confirming the cancellation of the contract due to his fundamental breach and confirm that he has agreed to pay you back by Wednesday. Say that court action will follow without further notice if he fails to do this.
If he doesn't pay, file money claim online the next day, report to your bank and also inform the police as a theft.
If you get judgment and he doesn't pay send in high court bailiffs.
The PBCD approach is go to his house on Wednesday if the money doesn't clear and ask him face to face for the money back. If he refuses, go back in the dead of the night in dark clothes and a hood and set his car on fire. Ask him again the next day if he'd now like to pay. From what I read in the local press, the chances of you getting done for criminal damage are next to zero.
If he doesn't pay, file money claim online the next day, report to your bank and also inform the police as a theft.
If you get judgment and he doesn't pay send in high court bailiffs.
The PBCD approach is go to his house on Wednesday if the money doesn't clear and ask him face to face for the money back. If he refuses, go back in the dead of the night in dark clothes and a hood and set his car on fire. Ask him again the next day if he'd now like to pay. From what I read in the local press, the chances of you getting done for criminal damage are next to zero.
MBVitoria said:
Strict legal answer is send a letter confirming the cancellation of the contract due to his fundamental breach and confirm that he has agreed to pay you back by Wednesday. Say that court action will follow without further notice if he fails to do this.
If he doesn't pay, file money claim online the next day, report to your bank and also inform the police as a theft.
If you get judgment and he doesn't pay send in high court bailiffs.
The PBCD approach is go to his house on Wednesday if the money doesn't clear and ask him face to face for the money back. If he refuses, go back in the dead of the night in dark clothes and a hood and set his car on fire. Ask him again the next day if he'd now like to pay. From what I read in the local press, the chances of you getting done for criminal damage are next to zero.
What about some frozen sausages?If he doesn't pay, file money claim online the next day, report to your bank and also inform the police as a theft.
If you get judgment and he doesn't pay send in high court bailiffs.
The PBCD approach is go to his house on Wednesday if the money doesn't clear and ask him face to face for the money back. If he refuses, go back in the dead of the night in dark clothes and a hood and set his car on fire. Ask him again the next day if he'd now like to pay. From what I read in the local press, the chances of you getting done for criminal damage are next to zero.
ManicMunky said:
MBVitoria said:
Strict legal answer is send a letter confirming the cancellation of the contract due to his fundamental breach and confirm that he has agreed to pay you back by Wednesday. Say that court action will follow without further notice if he fails to do this.
If he doesn't pay, file money claim online the next day, report to your bank and also inform the police as a theft.
If you get judgment and he doesn't pay send in high court bailiffs.
The PBCD approach is go to his house on Wednesday if the money doesn't clear and ask him face to face for the money back. If he refuses, go back in the dead of the night in dark clothes and a hood and set his car on fire. Ask him again the next day if he'd now like to pay. From what I read in the local press, the chances of you getting done for criminal damage are next to zero.
What about some frozen sausages?If he doesn't pay, file money claim online the next day, report to your bank and also inform the police as a theft.
If you get judgment and he doesn't pay send in high court bailiffs.
The PBCD approach is go to his house on Wednesday if the money doesn't clear and ask him face to face for the money back. If he refuses, go back in the dead of the night in dark clothes and a hood and set his car on fire. Ask him again the next day if he'd now like to pay. From what I read in the local press, the chances of you getting done for criminal damage are next to zero.
jmn said:
Would I be correct in thinking that most reputable and solvent builders would have a trade account with a local Builders Merchants which gives them in effect a month's free credit?
If this is the case then presumably they wouldn't need to ask for money up front?
Yes we do, but why should we automatically assume all of the risk that the customer is actually going to pay? But I do agree 70% seems a lot If this is the case then presumably they wouldn't need to ask for money up front?
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