Builders done a runner....

[Cadgey123]

Been doing a bit work for a "builder" over the last few months.
He has been paying my invoices reasonably on time and often.

I have started a rewire recently which I had taken deposit. Now first fix has just been complete the has went MIA.
The client is getting worried now as they are unable to contact.

Anyone know what what steps I am likely to take now?

 

[Spoon]

I see lots of posts about asking for the money up front.
From a customers point of view, what's to stop the guy doing work for you doing a runner once they have the money?

 

[dmxtothemax]

now you will have to cover that money,
Welcome to the shark tank !
Never ever pay for anything up front !
You just found out the hard way.

 

[Cadgey123]

Next time I will probably be more vigilant to these situations.

I did think it was odd he came out of no where offering me all this decent work. Maybe it was naive of myself.

He gave me around 10k of invoiced paid work by his company.

Bur the last look he is owed us around 5k for the invoices oustanding and is still uncontactable.
I managed to recoup some of that cost by going round the job site and gathering materials not used yet and speaking direct to the clients.

Anyone working in the London area

Be very weary of contracts with :
Ecobuild /
Baltic Projects

Decorating London | Contractors London | Baltic Projects - http://balticprojects.co.uk/en/home-english/

 

[FatAlan]

As a punter if I were paying upfront for an expensive bit of kit like a boiler I would make sure that I paid the supplier direct hopefully in agreement with the plumber.

 

[Squid]

Always best to have a contract in place for the larger jobs and the max you pay is say 10 to 15% upfront and the rest in instalments as the job goes along.

 

[Electric.ian17]

As a victim of non Payment I have persistently tried to have the competent Remit changed regarding ( third Party contracts )
Trust Mark have now introduced a Escrow service which you can subscribe to through your accredited scheme provider
Introduced 2015
A little to late in my opinion
should have been implemented in 2004
When Part P was introduced
The accredited organisations don't represent us
Only the Consumer
We work in a Flawed System
It's time for a Change
Ian Simpson