advice on building control

[crow11]

just after a bit of info on how building control works, the situation is, went to look at a job where a 3rd story extension as been built, customer as sacked the builder and taking legal action against them for going over the time limit they said it would take and that the original electrician isn't allowed back to finish off because he was sub contracting to the builder, they say building control have been and passed the first fix and now everything as been covered and plastered, do building control issue any kind of paperwork to say first fix as been checked and passed, something in my head is telling me to walk away from this job, original job was £25,000 and they say they haven't paid a penny to the builder and probably won't, now i'm not a racist or anything but when i was there to work out a price they where talking in there own language and laughing that really winds me up, who knows what they where saying probably something like let him do all the electrics them not pay him lol, there is quite a bit of work new 12 way c/u 4 smoke alarms, 1 heat alarm,quite a few pendants about 20 d/sockets, extractors and so on, they want me to get most of the bits and wont pay till the job is done as they say they don't trust anyone, just got a gut feeling they are just out to rip everybody off and not pay

 

[Andy78]

Building control may have inspected the first fix of the building work, but if the original electrician was going to notify through a scheme, they won't have bothered even glancing at the electrical work.
From the way the customer has acted regards treatment of the builder, I would walk. Let alone any issues to do with putting your name to a first fix you haven't seen. Bin it.

 

[crow11]

thanks for the reply andy, going to walk away from this 1, wouldn't of put my name to the first fix, would of done a eic after consumer unit and other jobs done and made a note on the cert unable to verify cable runs etc

 

[Deservices]

Unless they want to pay upfront as you don't trust anyone either(works both ways) walk. More likely builder wanted his first amount of money to carry on the build and they reneged.

 

[Guitarist]

The fact that they aren't going to pay the builder anything due to the timescale is frankly quite disgusting. I can understand a contractual financial redress if agreed upfront by all parties, but it sounds like this client is the sort who looks for legal ways not to pay their bills.
I, like you, get a bad feeling about this...

Regarding the "upfront" payment already mentioned; This is something I always use with new customers on jobs exceeding £500 (of if I get a bad feeling). I ask for 30% upfront to cover materials, then decide how the remainder is split depending on the job itself. The only time a customer refused to do this, it later transpired that the electrician they did end up using never got a penny.

 

[oldtimer]

I have said this before it is not a racist thing it is a Culture thing where some think its ok to lie to me then tell me "Ah yes but in my culture we barter on cost because thats how it is done" My reply is has always been the same well I am happy to respect your culture in your country but I expect the same from you.

So its got to the stage where I can smell this mentality over the phone and tell them it will cost 2-3 times more just because I just dont want the hassle or stress as that is the name of the game for them so dont beat yourself up and allow them to say you are racist walk away or get some money upfront

 

[tazz]

Agree with Guitartist on this one, this is not normal practice.....most contracts we have come with time restraints, and this is part of the retention held back, usually 20% of the overall cost. I cant see this customer winning this unless they can show a written contract stating No payment will be made unless works are completed within time sechdual.

 

[oldtimer]

If there is one thing we can agree on the law is an --- in situations like this you only have to see these guys who get caught on the consumer shows who fold the business on a Friday and start up another on a Monday leaving the creditors high and dry

 

[Guitarist]

My Dad was a painter and decorator before he retired, and he had a few customers who didn't pay over the years. To begin with, he'd take them to the small claims Court, who would then order the customer to pay (usually a set monthly amount until the debt was cleared). When the customer then stopped payments a month or two down the line, it was then up to him to chase them up yet again.... Inevitably he would lose the will to live by this point and give up. I'm sure that there are still customers out there who, whatever the courts say, will keep trying to withhold payment until the tradesman gives up. They are just parasites, preying on the "English" way of "taking it on the chin". Makes me sick.

 

[telectrix]

just from the OP, i smell a rat. and that's without seeing the customer. money up front for materials, and labour paid, at the most, every week . otherwise big strides away. try and have a word with the previous builder and/or sparks. bet they tell a different tale.

 

[danzor]

Go with your gut feeling

 

[Octopus]

just after a bit of info on how building control works, the situation is, went to look at a job where a 3rd story extension as been built, customer as sacked the builder and taking legal action against them for going over the time limit they said it would take and that the original electrician isn't allowed back to finish off because he was sub contracting to the builder, they say building control have been and passed the first fix and now everything as been covered and plastered, do building control issue any kind of paperwork to say first fix as been checked and passed, something in my head is telling me to walk away from this job, original job was £25,000 and they say they haven't paid a penny to the builder and probably won't, now i'm not a racist or anything but when i was there to work out a price they where talking in there own language and laughing that really winds me up, who knows what they where saying probably something like let him do all the electrics them not pay him lol, there is quite a bit of work new 12 way c/u 4 smoke alarms, 1 heat alarm,quite a few pendants about 20 d/sockets, extractors and so on, they want me to get most of the bits and wont pay till the job is done as they say they don't trust anyone, just got a gut feeling they are just out to rip everybody off and not pay

Well, they do sound unreasonable. All you can do is submit a price, confirm that you are not responsible for the first fix, and highlight that when you are testing, if ANY issues come to light there will be additional costs. I would also request a "stage" payment too. You should clearly state that the certificate and notification will be done on receipt of full payment.

Then open a beer and wait..... which I suspect will be a long time as they will find a desperate mug who won't have thought it through.

 

[Brendan976]

Walk away, if you have bad vibes at this stage. My gut says you will get stiffed on this one.
Ben

 

[UNG]

From the comments made in the OP I think the customer by their own admission failed the credit check so walk away. This potential customer sounds like a serial scammer who will find any excuse not to pay.

Strange how so many rogue traders are named and shamed but nowhere are rogue customers given the same treatment by Dom and Melinda may be there's a new TV programme in that as I suspect the customer mentioned in the OP has history

 

[Marvo]

The difference between making a fair profit on a job and making a large loss can be purely down to the individual customer. If you get a bad feeling then either walk and don't look back or structure payments so you're always ahead and the minute there's a delay or excuse then drop them like a stone. Sounds easy but it's not, they'll try every trick and feed you every line in the book and you may well end up knee deep in harassment, lawyers and court cases so if you do take on a job like this make sure you're ready for the circus that might follow.