Pancake Posted 26 October, 2010 Share Posted 26 October, 2010 I've got a complaint with a local tradesmen over some work that was done and, basically, isnt up to scratch or what they advertised it to do. Also, the job was never actually finished, and was left in a 98% state. I have tried to contact them via phone and email 5 times over the last 3 weeks, but they have not returned messages or calls. Come on Forum, what are my rights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 26 October, 2010 Share Posted 26 October, 2010 Here you go (although I think this organisation is due to be abolished soon) http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/ Did you not hold back 10% until you'd agreed the job had been done satisfactorily? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted 26 October, 2010 Share Posted 26 October, 2010 Depends on the exact problem and the amounts involved. You could try adjudication, DR or ultimately through the small claims court. Can you be a bit more specific on the exact problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clapham Saint Posted 26 October, 2010 Share Posted 26 October, 2010 Are they a company or sole traders? Do you have an address for them or just mobile numbers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 26 October, 2010 Share Posted 26 October, 2010 Dont bother with Consumer Direct, just take legal advise from the off. I had dealings with them and after 4 months of their advise,I got nowhere and they said they said I should speak to a solicitor. They said they had a list of local Solicitors who specilaised in the field I was in dispute about. Gave me the name of one, really local to Poole, Newport. I said that's the IOW, miles away, to which the lady replied Newport South Wales. They were a complete shambles. Pay a Solicitor for an intial interview, it'll be worth it in the long run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancake Posted 26 October, 2010 Author Share Posted 26 October, 2010 Driveway repair and update. £500. Full trading co, offices the lot. Paid after stage one of the work as they had to leave it a few days before they could do stage 2. Repair work fine, cleaning fine, but weedkilling and sealing awful. The second sealing coat never applied after the 1 week wait as expected, so now (3 months later) the place looks like a jungle (I havent touched at weeds on purpose), despite the claims on the websit that it will "Eliminate any further weed growth", "Eliminate moss and lichen growth". Also, contray to the "Stops further staining of paving", the drive is stained from brakedust after cleaning the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Special K Posted 26 October, 2010 Share Posted 26 October, 2010 Driveway repair and update. £500. Full trading co, offices the lot. Paid after stage one of the work as they had to leave it a few days before they could do stage 2. Repair work fine, cleaning fine, but weedkilling and sealing awful. The second sealing coat never applied after the 1 week wait as expected, so now (3 months later) the place looks like a jungle (I havent touched at weeds on purpose), despite the claims on the websit that it will "Eliminate any further weed growth", "Eliminate moss and lichen growth". Also, contray to the "Stops further staining of paving", the drive is stained from brakedust after cleaning the car. Assuming they priced and agreed to provide weedkilling and sealing works, then it sounds like a simple defective workmanship issue. Firstly establish that you have a dispute (in writing if not already done). Get another price for remedial works. Give them a written time frame to carry out the remedial works (7 days usually enough). Record the time you have spent trying to get in contact with them. If they have not responded in this time and corrected the works, then pursue them through the small claims court for costs you will incur/have incurred for putting right their defective work. Check if they belong to any trade associations and threaten to sound off to them. If they are on check-a-trade, then give them a poor review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 26 October, 2010 Share Posted 26 October, 2010 Small claims court? They may well settle before then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Porter Posted 26 October, 2010 Share Posted 26 October, 2010 Why would you pay if the job was only 98% finished? It's unfortunate that some tradesmen do a poor/half finished job like that, it's why it's always a good idea to go with a reccomended company =/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Porter Posted 26 October, 2010 Share Posted 26 October, 2010 (edited) Check if they belong to any trade associations and threaten to sound off to them. If they are on check-a-trade, then give them a poor review! Check-a-trade won't alter reviews if it's after-eventing, have also heard bad things regarding check-a-trade and any sort of bad review. The company only cares about companies paying their fee's every year so they're inclinded to just ignore anyone who puts in a bad review, have heard from two different people that they tried to get check-a-trade to put in a v. low score and they basically refused/ignored them! It's a shame as the website would be a great idea if it was run properly... Looking on the website the lowest score I can find is a 9.3 Edited 26 October, 2010 by Andy_Porter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Block 18 Posted 26 October, 2010 Share Posted 26 October, 2010 Try getting these two involved May seem a bit of a joke but they may just be getting ready to film a dodgy driveway firm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 26 October, 2010 Share Posted 26 October, 2010 Driveway repair and update. £500. Full trading co, offices the lot. Paid after stage one of the work as they had to leave it a few days before they could do stage 2. Repair work fine, cleaning fine, but weedkilling and sealing awful. The second sealing coat never applied after the 1 week wait as expected, so now (3 months later) the place looks like a jungle (I havent touched at weeds on purpose), despite the claims on the websit that it will "Eliminate any further weed growth", "Eliminate moss and lichen growth". Also, contray to the "Stops further staining of paving", the drive is stained from brakedust after cleaning the car. Sounds like a clear cut case of breach of the Trade Descriptions Act to me. An idea: post the name of the company here and we'll all call them for bogus surveys and quotes until they get the message? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 26 October, 2010 Share Posted 26 October, 2010 ...and, yes, as others have mentioned, a reputable company won't insist on 100% payment before the job is complete. If a company asks for 100% before job completion then it's an instant "avoid" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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