Drive getting redone bloke not turned up

[wjwren]

Alarm bells havent quite set off, but I friend had his drive block paved and recommended a bloke. He came over last week, which ive got on cctv, gave me a quote and we agreed on a deal. He wrote out the details of the quote and gave it me. He asked me for a deposit of £1200, my friend said he did the same and his driveway is all good. The company has a FB page with lots of good reviews, pictures etc.
He was meant to start Good Friday but then text me to say he couldnt get a grab lorry organised. So then said it would be Tuesday (today). I had a text off my friend this morning to say the drive chap couldnt find my number and that his dad had died Saturday and he would need a couple of days to sort things out but he will be along this week to do the drive.

Now the pessimistic side of me thinks he isnt turning up.
On the other hand I know what it is like to loose a parent.

Any legal advice!

[wjwren]

Yes I smelled a rat, but on the other hand if he completes the drive he will get another £3k off me which is mostly profit so I'm hoping for the best.

[wjwren]

paid via bank transfer. ive got voicemails of him saying when he will be over to do drive, and text messages etc. I looked on whatsapp and he hasnt been seen since friday online so I'm taking a guess he has gone away for a long weekend or something.

No terms and conditions on receipt it was written out on A4 paper.

[wjwren]

elanfan said:

People in these trades are notorious for promising everyone they'll be there tomorrow. Likelihood is he's finishing or starting a job elsewhere as he's got your money it's not like you're going anywhere else so he'll make you wait.

Do you have his address? If so I'd not start worrying too much as yet (oh and check the death notices online or in the papers).

Yes i agree tradesmen are notorious for letting people down. Yes I have his address and it's matched up after looking on facebook at his girlfriend and then companies house who has an interior design company.

[wjwren]

Out of interest what sort of proceedings can you start in such a case like this?

Moneyclaim online?

[wjwren]

She was pretty tidy!

Il refrain from uploading for the time being!

[wjwren]

Not on his as im not friends but could post on his work fb page. But il give him benefit of the doubt and hope he will be along this week to sort things out.

[wjwren]

No replied last night saying he needed couple days to sort himself out. I looked on his FB page and he was starting a patio on Friday so I guess he is busy there and doing that.

[wjwren]

He text me yesterday to say he needed a couple of days to "sort his head out" and he will be along this week.
I read that as I need a couple of days to finish this patio off and il be over.

In hindsight I should of ordered the bricks myself and had them delivered.

[wjwren]

I was speaking to my mate who is a developer and he said this happens all the time. Paid a bloke a month ago to tarmac a drive and had endless excuses. Anyway im hoping he will get his arse over this week and sort it out and then il pay him 4 weeks later or when i feel like it.

[wjwren]

No he wasnt irish!


He came over, twice to my house, my good friend had his drive done and was please, though he also ordered some soil through him the day or 2 for delivery turned into 2 weeks. Im hoping he will pull his finger out and start on it as im fed up with it now.

[wjwren]

Update - he called earlier to say he will be over first thing tuesday with the digger!

[wjwren]

Further update. He has text to say he cant make tuesday now as has the funeral but will be here wed. He also said he will send me proof of the blocks he has bought but will be here for definite wed 7.30am
More updates on his fb page of patios he did last week.
Getting slightly peed off.

If he is trying to rip me off then texting me proof and confirmation that I have given him money and he has bought blocks is a good thing for me I guess.

[wjwren]

Friend who develops houses tends to use polish workers as they get the job done. I had a bloke lay a porcelain floor while back. He was so bloody slow. Would turn up at 9. then at 11 would sit in his van for 20 mins having a coffee and fag. 1pm was back in the van fag and lunch then back to work 2pm. He took 4 weeks to do 50sqm of flooring and also didnt turn up for a week as he had a bad back. 3 weeks work to lay a floor. He was also recommended to me!

[wjwren]

If he isnt here this week then il write and cancel and ask him to return my money. Are money claims on line worth it? Im just watching BBC1 the sheriffs are coming.

[wjwren]

No, 3 mins to go

[wjwren]

Nope. Tried calling no answer. fks sake!

[wjwren]

Can anyone advise (sensibly) what is the best course of legal action I could take please?
I believe he lives with his girlfriend - her house is up for sale ive seen on the net, looks to be like she split up from her ex maybe as her ex was also registered at that address.

Im thinking assets wise and if he has anything to be repossessed should it come to small claims court / high court.

[wjwren]

He is an ex bouncer type bloke - that kind.
Just done some googling and found a review from 2011 from someone saying he dug out his drive after he paid for materials then never showed up again

[wjwren]

ive called him twice today no answer.
Il drive over Saturday afternoon and knock his door. I think he clearly uses other peoples deposits to fund his crappy business model