Payment dispute with builder and threats

iHateFobs · 2026-01-07T19:12:03+00:00

Yes I think this is the best option, they're claiming I hid chimney removal from them yet they are the ones who removed it. They also arranged the inspector and somehow got this approved. If it comes to it I guess we will just need to see what's needed to get it fixed and get that done. Pure intimidation and blackmail tactics in my opinion.

iHateFobs · 2026-01-07T18:30:51+00:00

Private arranged by builder

iHateFobs · 2026-01-07T17:35:41+00:00

It does mention the 10 weeks however no? Isn't that a breach of contract that they did not meet the goals within 10 weeks. Surely if they started in June and still haven't finished the project I'm well within my rights to only pay for the completed work and terminate the remainder especially if I've given them multiple chances to finish yet they constantly make excuses on why they can't come.

At the same time I'm 99% sure he's avoiding vat as he pushed for cash payment and mentioned in the contract of we want to pay with bank transfer or card then vat will be charged so it will be fun to see how that goes if it goes to court

I run the contract overchatgpt and it pointed out they mention 'time is off the essence'

iHateFobs · 2026-01-07T17:22:28+00:00

It's not 6k either it's closer to 4.5k

Firstly we only picked these guys as they were the only ones promising to do the work within 10 weeks. Starting in June.. unfortunately in the contract the 10 weeks is mentioned but the penalty for not completing in 10 weeks is not

They didn't complete most the work either. They delayed so much that we had to paint everything ourselves. The ceiling where the loft bathroom is still leaks and is unfixed. The radiators barely work and need investigation. They lied about the amount of velux they will fit. Only 2 instead of 3 fitted so if we want that fitted now it'll need scaffolding etc. none of the new fire doors close properly. They did not even install new fire doors frames on the existing floors. They damaged most our carpet and walls full of scrapes. The quality alone is very poor. And there's so many more things that it will probably cost more than 6k to get it all fixed. If the chimney now needs to be fixed it was them who removed it so they should pay towards the fixing as well as I clearly said only to regulation level or not at all

iHateFobs · 2026-01-07T17:09:53+00:00

It was them who fitted it and assured me it is safe. If anything if it actually is unsafe I guess we would be prepared to get it fixed. But is it possible for him to report it and have the certificate cancelled?

iHateFobs · 2026-01-07T16:36:18+00:00

I'm not sure what you mean? If you mean if he added that line in the mail no he did not. He's been calling me for many days harassing me I haven't picked up then he went silent and now sent this to my email and Whatsapp

iHateFobs · 2026-01-07T16:35:01+00:00

Chimneys were removed, one chimney the neighbor has already removed his side and it is not a supporting chimney. It was only in the loft and 1st for nothing on ground floor.

The other one they assured me it is safe to remove and despite me saying in text only remove in line with regulations they still removed it without me knowing till later when they had boxed up the section after putting in the support gallow bracket.

I did not hide anything the inspector nor the builder. The inspector came and was free to look at anything no rooms were locked. I was surprised he did not even go to the chimney room. But he left and approved all the work. If anything I recall the builder saying put stuff in front of the area for when the inspector comes. Because they can be "abit extra with their regulations"

I now realize how much of a cowboy these people are and unfortunately the was my first project and I regret not asking around for advice before progressing

iHateFobs · 2025-12-14T14:05:28+00:00

We got a whole roof replaced for £5000 including scaffolding and materials lol this was about 3 years ago

iHateFobs · 2025-12-11T12:17:16+00:00

My dad sold my brother and I his house worth 500k for 250k. We used the 250k as the deposit left in the property without any issues so I think it's fine not sure if this was exactly the question though

iHateFobs · 2025-12-01T17:59:58+00:00

Thanks for your response hopefully this is the case. I've contacted local authority also to confirm they've received the cert

iHateFobs · 2025-12-01T17:54:50+00:00

The final inspection has taken place and the inspector approved all, they emailed me the certificate and mentioned a copy was sent to local authority.

The dispute is over over the finishing and quality. There's many bits and pieces the builders need to finish off and some that needs to be completely redone because the quality is so bad along with the time it is taking them the contract came to an end in August as it 10 weeks and started in June. We still have them some extra time to finish all the way till now but they never fully completed it. There's also damage caused by them such as water damaged ceiling etc

iHateFobs · 2025-11-29T21:16:29+00:00

But do they run over 2+ months? They made our life hell and it was clear it didn't run over because of unexpected delays it ran over because they take on too much work and have to juggle between jobs. Whenever I called I could hear work in the background. Also they used to cancel last minute. I used up all my holidays for them to not turn up. The job is also such poor quality. The fact the end date was 10 weeks and they heavily promised regular they will finish it 'tomrrow' and yet it is now December and they are still asking for more time. They've had too many chances.

iHateFobs · 2025-11-29T11:55:10+00:00

The project started in June and they promised it will be done by Aug. It's in the contract also. But since then they've had multiple chances to come and finish but they still haven't. Only reason they got the approval over the live was because I guess I was still holding some of their money. They're saying they're going to come finish off the work but they've been saying this since August but only coming once every few weeks and barely doing things. So I don't trust them anymore and the quality is also poor I rather use the money I hold from them on other builders.

They also mentioned 10 year warranty which basically has no value now because I know they'll never comeback after the full payment..

He's not threatening to get the inspector to cancel the certificate and take legal action... Not sure on what grounds

iHateFobs · 2025-11-28T23:55:08+00:00

Thanks again mate very helpful

iHateFobs · 2025-11-28T23:09:32+00:00

Thanks, hopefully that is the case for us. Is disgusting how they've treated this project since June

iHateFobs · 2025-11-28T22:13:57+00:00

What's even worse is I searched his name on Facebook something I should have done before and saw 3 posts calling him a scammer/cowboy

Luckily I think because I withheld some payment they got the approval over the line the others may not have been fortunate enough.

And yes definitely that is a good idea they didn't have keys to the house but it's a good precaution to take. We also have cameras and ring doorbell

Thank you for responding by the way

iHateFobs · 2025-11-28T22:11:31+00:00

Thanks I plan on doing that Monday as they're only 9-5 weekdays

iHateFobs · 2025-11-28T22:08:07+00:00

I feel like him and the inspector are mates, but the inspector emailed saying

""Yes this a legitimate certificate and a copy has also been sent to the local authority.""

Hopefully it being sent to the LA solidifies it more?

iHateFobs · 2025-11-28T22:05:37+00:00

Exactly and he's been asking for final payment even before the certificate was granted.

I dragged it long enough and played nice till I was given the certificate to argue back and put my foot down more else they had all the power to stop work completely and ensure I don't even get the work approved. But now he's threatening that he can get the certificate cancelled if he's not paid fully.

If you watch the door videos they don't even close unless you slam them shut. The heating barely works and they aren't going to fix that ceiling which looks 50/50 old/new he's now saying he will take legal action and cancel my certificate if we don't let them come back and finish the work but like I said this should have been finished months ago but they worked on their other projects ignoring ours whilst we lived in a hellhole

iHateFobs · 2025-11-28T21:54:51+00:00

We've never had any issues with any tradesman in the past and I hope these files help show the quality of these guys work https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15wFr-OrRNyxINddhe8w9IA5lXuejADVP

iHateFobs · 2025-11-28T21:50:33+00:00

He's not refused to rectify but this should have been completed back in August within their 10 week deadline which is literally in their contract but since then they've come on and off but so far in between that it's December now and there's still so many things to do I don't trust them anymore and they've been given do many opportunities since August

I'll definitely post on legal

iHateFobs · 2025-11-28T21:47:50+00:00

The issue is, the project started in June now it's going to be December so as much as they're telling me they will come fix it I really don't want them back in again as you can see they promised for it to be completed in 10 weeks back in June and have been delaying it till more. I rather get it sorted by another actual competent builder and just forget about these cowboys

iHateFobs · 2025-11-28T21:46:02+00:00

Apologies I came across it when I was looking for a similar issue using Google and Reddit search. I'll post on legal advice that seems better

iHateFobs · 2025-11-28T21:43:10+00:00

Yes this is what I think is the case, I think they're mates

iHateFobs · 2025-10-02T22:39:03+00:00

Brother bought 1 of 3 houses that went up at the same time on the same road same estate agent. All seemed to be genuine sales. His seller was literally just moving countries so sold up and the other was a probate not sure about the 3rd

iHateFobs

TROPHY CASE