Screwed Over By An Electrician - Desperate For Help, What Can I Do?

[Bazzzy]

Hi All,

Thinking I would get decent, honest service, I went with a locally advertised Electrician/workman for some electrical work & a complete room renovation.

At first he was very good but then started to slack off badly & eventually stopped turning up. I managed to persuade him to call round after a week & he said he was just in one of those moods!

We agreed that he would deal with his issues first & then start the following week but made it clear he simply keep me informed. I even brought back some duty free cigarettes for him from a trip! Unfortunately, he has again not turned up once and is refusing to reply to any of my calls.

I am recovering from a heart attack and am due to have major surgery in 3 weeks time for a very invasive & painful throat operation & informed him of that. I also live with a very ill elderly & disabled mother to whom this has caused so much trouble & hassle - it has broken my heart. She is really suffering because of this.

He has left my room completely gutted with various electrical cables lying across the floor (live) connected just to these metal boxes & sockets with wires hanging out of the wall as well as incomplete plumbing and destroying my phone line.

I am extremely upset about this & because he has hurt not only me & taken my money, he has actually hurt my very ill mother. Is there someone or some professional or official body that I can complain to so that they can take action against this guy? For all I know, he could have left my house as a potential death trap. Can I get him via some authority to either finish the work or repay my money by dictate or threat to have his license revoked by some governing or licensing body? I am hoping that faced with this, he will learn that will not get away with what he has done. If anyone can be of help, please kindly tell me what I can do? I am really desperate now & very depressed as my operations are only 3 weeks away & I will be bedridden for at least a few weeks to recover and there is no way I can live in the state he has left my room in. Please someone tell me how this guy can either be struck off or forced to honour his obligations.

With Sincere Thanks,

Bazzy.

 

[Phil]

tell you what guys if any of you are ever up in leeds i will sort you all out with vip passes into a club a friend of mine runs worth a tenner a pop for the entry fee. you won`t need melinda in there

 

[bugsy]

Hi All,

Wow, what can I say? I am so very touched, I really am - I had just about lost faith in people - I really was that down I cannot tell you. I am a buddhist & always look to seek the happiness of others and have been realy struggling with my faith lately - by just offering to help me, you have all helped me reaffirmed my faith again. I am so very grateful!

I am based in Harrow, Middx which is sort of between Watford & Wembley. I am kind of lost for words now, I registered with this site as a long shot desperate attempt for help & advice & never would have thought you all would be so kind.

After my heart attack, I lost my job so things have been very difficult and having to deal with guys like this who take your money & leave you high & dry and a ill mum has not been easy. Thanks to you guys, I finally smiled again today and felt like I had friends - deepest, deepest, thanks to all.

Bazzy.

O.K. Bazzy nitty gritty time , would you like a crash team, if so post a reply (hope you have lot's of parking, ( and tea ) ) need to fix dates with the guy's

 

[Spudnik]

Lads,

Its very commendable that you are offering your services to put things right.

However, please do make sure that all the correct steps are taken before any remedial work is carried out.

The contractor (if registered) WILL have the opportunity to put things right first; thats how it works.

 

[netblindpaul]

Please take on board Jason.S's comments.
I'm nearly 200 Mi away. So it's bit of a no go for me.
Who is the closest?
Perhaps they could go and do a report and check on what is needed for the client to take this further in case the original spark is registered with a scam?
You could then help the client to sort the "paperwork" out to bang this guy to rights?
Paul

 

[Bazzzy]

O.K. Bazzy nitty gritty time , would you like a crash team, if so post a reply (hope you have lot's of parking, ( and tea ) ) need to fix dates with the guy's

Hi All,

This is what needs to be done electrically:

a) 3 sockets trailing on wires to be placed on wall (part of the wall needs to be bricked up),
b) 4 ceiling low voltage down-lights need to be fitted
c) Couple of wall sockets hanging loose needs to be put back
d) Light-switches need to be reversed (installed wrong way up)
e) Bar light needs slight repositioning.
f) Telephone line needs to be re-fixed & extensions placed

Apart from that, I need:

a) Brick work & very small amount of plastering
b) Wallpapering/Coving installed
c) laminate flooring installed
d) Radiator fitted
e) A few other DIY decorating things

If anyone can also help with these, I will be happy to contribute what I can or do something to help you in whatever way I can, I can then later slowly paint & tidy up! The room does need a bit of work I am afraid!

Forums member "ac.electrical" has also offered to help so my sincere thanks to him as well!

I was unable to find decent work people for so long no matter how hard I tried & with the grace of these forums & its members, I have had more help today than all the others before combined!

I am happy to work around dates which suit you all best and am flexible to suit your schedules - shall we say in a couple of days or so?

Bazzy!

 

[Spudnik]

Pleased to hear one of the members has offered to help out, however, please be aware that if any remedial works are carried out beforehand, then you will not have the opportunity to bring the rogue trader to task.

Your call, however, good luck!

 

[Sintra]

IMO this gentlemans safety should take priority over bureaucracy at least the installation should be made safe which would be your duty if you called round to him.

 

[mogga]

photograph the handy work before work starts and possibly invite LA around and explain to then the situation get them to test and waive their fee?

 

[garyinderby]

Hey, i maybe in derby but if i can be of help? seems we have enough sparkies so could bring me trowels maybe do the brickwork and plastering. when you thinking of going?

 

[Richard Andrews]

Hi All,

Thinking I would get decent, honest service, I went with a locally advertised Electrician/workman for some electrical work & a complete room renovation.

At first he was very good but then started to slack off badly & eventually stopped turning up. I managed to persuade him to call round after a week & he said he was just in one of those moods!

We agreed that he would deal with his issues first & then start the following week but made it clear he simply keep me informed. I even brought back some duty free cigarettes for him from a trip! Unfortunately, he has again not turned up once and is refusing to reply to any of my calls.

I am recovering from a heart attack and am due to have major surgery in 3 weeks time for a very invasive & painful throat operation & informed him of that. I also live with a very ill elderly & disabled mother to whom this has caused so much trouble & hassle - it has broken my heart. She is really suffering because of this.

He has left my room completely gutted with various electrical cables lying across the floor (live) connected just to these metal boxes & sockets with wires hanging out of the wall as well as incomplete plumbing and destroying my phone line.

I am extremely upset about this & because he has hurt not only me & taken my money, he has actually hurt my very ill mother. Is there someone or some professional or official body that I can complain to so that they can take action against this guy? For all I know, he could have left my house as a potential death trap. Can I get him via some authority to either finish the work or repay my money by dictate or threat to have his license revoked by some governing or licensing body? I am hoping that faced with this, he will learn that will not get away with what he has done. If anyone can be of help, please kindly tell me what I can do? I am really desperate now & very depressed as my operations are only 3 weeks away & I will be bedridden for at least a few weeks to recover and there is no way I can live in the state he has left my room in. Please someone tell me how this guy can either be struck off or forced to honour his obligations.

With Sincere Thanks,

Bazzy.

There are many excellent, conscientious, electricians. Where are you geographically?

I served my time up and down shafts installing goods and passenger lifts, but I've got a little plastic card that says I'm a NICEIC Qualified Supervisor and Part P Duty Holder... I also know how to read a Regulation Book.

Compiling pre-court reports on sloppy work, liasing with insurance companies, doing deals to resolve issues... The following reference is one that let to a major reduction in sub-contract work and all sorts of names, but if you're not too far away I may help (if I can).

To Whom It May Concern:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have known Mr Richard Andrews, in my role as Project Manager for Communities ReUnited. A local Charity established to support and help flood victims following the Carlisle Floods in 2005.

During the following three years whilst many people struggled to get their homes repaired following the floods, I needed a reliable and trustworthy Electrician to identify and report on contractor’s failure to comply with current wiring regulations and standards. This report formed the basis of resolving many insurance claims.

Mr Andrews fulfilled this role perfectly showing care and attention to detail, whilst at the same time empathising with the plight of the flood victims. His workmanship was outstanding, and many times he went more than the extra mile to resolve and identify electrical faults.

I have no hesitation in recommending his service, and the quality of his workmanship.


Regards


Paul Hendy

The National Flood Forum
Flood Recovery Advisor / Consultant

 

[Bazzzy]

Hi All,

Once again, my sincere thanks to you all! I have managed to get hold of a digital camera and taken pics as best I can to show you the room - I am not too good at taking pics but I hope they are good enough.

At least this way, you kind folks can visually see things as they are and how they have been left. Hope this helps. By the way, to run some computer & speaker cables, this guy just took chunks out of the floor joists - I asked him is that was safe & OK, he said it was no problem?

Bazzy.

 

[bugsy]

Bazzy may I suggest you get a recce done first , looking through the pic.s my gut feeling start from scratch .

Can you pm me with your contact details so we can arrange an inspection

 

[Sav]

Hi,
What a mess.

Looks like low level dado trunking ??

I think best bet, start again !!

What do you guys say, and let me know if we are going there, or if you need help etc,

Regards,
Sav

 

[jeremy]

I don't live in London, and the internal works seem to have enough bods to take care of them, but as I haven't anything lined up for next week, I'd be up for tracing "local bloke" and gently suggesting that he repays any money that he's had. Theft from the vulnerable is despicable.

 

[jeremy]

Please don't be offended by my use of "vulnerable"!!