On 2006-10-01 19:25:06 +0100, Duncan said:

I recently employed a building firm to do some work on my property.
Unfortunately, despite them being recommended and being FMB registered,
they turned out to be cowboys. They didn't turn up for very long, and
hardly worked when they were there. I was busy at work, and so couldn't
keep an eye on them, but my neighbours on either side did. They managed
to turn what should have taken a few days into nearly two weeks.
Eventually, one of them did a ridiculous bodge and tried to pass it off
as okay when asked to put it right. At that point, I asked them to stop
work and not come back. In order to avoid any legal business, I agreed
to pay for what work they'd done. That left a very large job on the
original estimate not done. I was happy to get rid of them - then I got
the invoice

They are basically asking for the majority of the complete figure as
payment. It's over three times what it should be for the work, and not
an inconsiderable amount. They'd not stated what work they were
claiming for, so I wrote back asking them to state the individual work
and costs to justify the amount, saying I'd be happy to pay fair costs.
They then wrote back saying that it was estimated work, and so each job
wasn't recorded, but did list the work. They reiterated their
ridiculous sum was "very fair" despite leaving a very small sum for the
work they didn't do (I've a quote from another builder for the same job
they didn't do, and it's a number of times more).

I'm not sure what to do next. Unfortunately I only got an estimate from
the builders, which was a breakdown of the jobs and a single figure,
and I verbally agreed to the work based on that. If I'd got a proper
quote with the individual jobs itemised I'd not be in this trouble.
Lesson learned.

I'm considering giving my own breakdown of costs, and saying I'd be
willing to pay for that. But I'm pretty sure they'll not accept since
they seem determined to rip me off. Should I just wait to be taken to
court for non-payment and see what happens?

Thanks,
-Duncan

Your next move should be to obtain two quotes for the remainder of the
work including remedying anything the first didn't do.

You could have asked for quotes for the complete job, but it's probably
too late for that and in any case another builder would probably figure
out what the issue is.

Then your financial position becomes the total that the original
builder first quoted less the quote for remedies and completion from
the other.

If you haven't paid them the net of that, then you should.

After doing so, is the total sum that the first builder believes he is
owed less than £5000?

If so, then he would pursue you through the small claims procedure,
and definitely I would let him attempt that.

Make sure that any communications are made in writing and send them by
Special Delivery (£4 at the post office). This gives traceability if
you need it.

Finally, take copious photographs of any bodges, incomplete work and
anything not completed to perfection.