Huge dilemma

[Desrebel]

Alright chaps ,

ive recently got a contract with a big building firm doing extensions and house renovations . Currently on a job at the moment that has run 12 weeks over ( not just electrics all work ) . It's a huge project and currently coming to
the end of 2nd fixing . About a week ago I advised the customer not to turn on any of the power as works were still not completed and That there were open ends in the loft . I locked the fuse boards off , however when I came to job next day the lock was broken off and all circuits were on . I told the customer this was dangerous and out of order and explained the risks he also has children running round the house and the socket faces etc are all off the wall .

Things now get worse as he refused to make a stage payment to the builder so we all got pulled of site for a week or so until they negotiated some payment . This was sorted and I then went back. I sorted all circuits out and done a test on ring and lights etc and everything was clear and working . Next day I came back and some of the neutrals in the consumer unit were loose and there was a fault on a lighting circuit and on the ring main . I asked customer if anyone had been messing with the board and he denied it . I found the faults ( neutral to earth on ring after socket was screwed on and the neutral got caught this was done by him , and lighting fault was where he had put spots up and used the switch wire as a neutral . Today I turned up and he has installed a socket that was on my list to do and there was no earth sleeve connected .

I walked off the job today as I'm furious with what is happening . Problem is I'm owed 2k and also I want more work from the builder . If this was my own private work I would walk away from the job as my work is being tampered with . What do you guys suggest I'm in a horrible situation here . Plus they are treating myself and the lads like **** and talking to us like were dirt . Any advice would be good , sorry for the long drawn out post

 

[telectrix]

demand payment for work to date or get the snips in the CU. once paid, then walk off.

 

[Octopus]

Remove the busbars?

 

[Plonker 3]

No payment= No Cert = No part p notification

 

[Desrebel]

I should of removed the bus bars actually when the power wasn't ready to be flicked on . I've got bits to do now like a changing a few switches and putting a few lights up . But I'm just worried that he's done more than just add a socket a put lights on . I think he could of been playing with the work . I know a lot of lads wouldn't sign it off now he's been adding to the installation . I don't want to give any certificate on it either now I know what's been happening

 

[Octopus]

Why, why, why is he ****ing around with an incomplete installation - does he have a brain?

 

[Dcf]

my spidey sense would be tingling on this one.
1-12 weeks late .customers got the hump already .
2-refuses to pay builder stage payment. gone north of the budget, no money left.
3- messing about with electrics when you have locked it all off. looking for excuses to pump you and not pay.
4- how do you sign off work that this fud has been doing to your install which isn't handed over to him yet?
is the builder backing you up or is it every man for himself against this roaster of client?
sounds like you are nearly there though,is it worth hanging on there and taking the grief?
i think a meeting with the builder putting your grievances to him would be beneficial to you both.
throwing your toys oot the pram is good at the time but entirely counter productive as I've found out to my cost!
cool heads n bite your tongue with this client is the way forward .
one of the best ones i heard was a plumber owed a packet by some wide o developer ,every excuse not to pay.
said plumber rolled up at his office handed him shotgun cartridge and told him
"next time you see one of these it will be coming out the barrel of a 12 gauge"
needless to say he got his money!

 

[Desrebel]

I know I'm so angry , his wife is there in the day and as soon as I mention or ask why it's been messed with she starts crying. To add the list of problems the company is depending on my to get the work to scratch ready to be signed off before he makes another payment . And I don't want to
loose future work with this company as they are really busy and have a lot on by refusing to go back . Im not gonna sleep tonight thinking about this *******

 

[Plonker 3]

Have you worked for this company before?

 

[Desrebel]

Your right mate I've been saying this to the builder I've told
him he's never gonna get paid and the jobs never gonna end because he's picking excuses for everything . He even asked me to change the shower switch as it's too unsightly . I've told
the builder I need £500 cash on Wednesday morning before any more work gets done . Your right with biting your tongue but im a hairy arsed who isn't very diplomatic and when someone is clearly taking you for a mug it's hard to keep your cool
really .

 

[amckay]

If I were in your shoes I'd finish the job, issue part pee notification only and not bother with an installation cert. You can't issue one to a tampered installation with a client like that. Its a shame there's not more protection against this kind of moronic behaviour. If the builders not happy then try and smooth it over, if the client ain't happy, stick the busbar where the sun doesn't shine!

 

[shanky887614]

I know I'm so angry , his wife is there in the day and as soon as I mention or ask why it's been messed with she starts crying. To add the list of problems the company is depending on my to get the work to scratch ready to be signed off before he makes another payment . And I don't want to
loose future work with this company as they are really busy and have a lot on by refusing to go back . Im not gonna sleep tonight thinking about this *******

is it worth dealing with this company with this amount of hastle

 

[Desrebel]

Yeah mate done about 10 jobs now everyone is great work , it's just this one which is in the region of about 180k and It's basically cost everyone money . My price was 6k electrics and looking back I wouldn't do it for less than 10
now . So it makes it harder that there's not money in it . Plumbers and joiners are the same . Because it's gone on so long and he's picked everything to bits . After it was plastered I was coming into notes on the wall saying ( this to be moved 4 inches to right ) etc etc in everything . I've installed spot lights on about 4 different sequences and they had to skim and I had to re drill all the time.

I know what your saying about is it worth all this hassle but the other work is great and work is flying in , it's just this one job that's killing me

 

[trev]

Show this idiot some videos of people getting belts, the more graphic and gory the better, tell him that's what he is risking by fannying around with what you're doing.

 

[GMES]

If the builder is feeding you work and good to work with then I would stick with it and get it finished, It will come to an end all nightmares do!!
It sounds like the Builder is in the same mess as you so just get your heads down, dig deep and battle through it.