We hired SDB Maintenance Ltd to create an ensuite toilet on our upstairs bedroom, replace showerscreen in main bathroom, replaster dining room wall and master bedroom wall.
The job started on 29 Nov 2021 and I told them the deadline of the job is 18 Dec 2021.
The quote was £4200.
We paid 30% deposit upfront.
We agreed to pay 35% on completion of job and 35% 2 weeks after completion of job.
They came sporadically and the works were poorly done, tiles were laid poorly, plastering is showing bumps and bubbles, showerscreen is still leaking.
On 16 Dec 2021,
they said the ensuite bedroom walls are appearing large cracks hence they need to stop the job until a structural surveyor comes to confirm it is fine (which they have only done tiling and major pipe work, grouting wasn't done, the toilet, sink aren't fitted yet.)
Naively they kept saying they have done a lot, promised they will come back after new year to rectify things we aren't happy about, prioritised completing our work, and they are running out of money because they underestimated the work, he needs to pay his subcontractors, they asked for the 35%. Out of sympathy I've paid them the 35%, a total of 65% plus extras ( overtime charge for electrician, and extra plastering needed)
They kept deferring the come back date in Jan, saying there are family issues and one of the builders got into a car accident. We can sense they are trying to walk off the job and confronted him, but their tools were still at our house, so they said they did not walk off the job and will not walk off, they are coming back to carry on the project on 8th Feb 2022, but then they took their tools, some rubbish and left the site. He sent me a message saying they would not continue the job but will refund me £500. We disagreed, the work they have done is only 10-15%,
no builders are willing to take on half way done work and would need to rip off and start again. In addition, they have caused damages to our house, such as plastering affecting other walls which they agreed to paint it back. They have damaged a lot of tiles due to needing to take out the poor tiles. The downlight in the hallway is being pushed down and appearing cracks (which is just located below the ensuite toilet), the insulation wool on the loft aren't placed properly, random drill holes on my exterior wall for the pipe work.
I've notified Citizens Advice in early Jan.
It was showing their company is being struck off and I've objected their strike off on companies house, hence they are deferred until 1 Aug 2022.
They might have it planned and ready to dissolve the company. As I can see they haven't filed anything so I am not sure if they have assets.
My plan is to take them to small claims court.
One thing I wanted to raise is :
I paid the 30% deposit through his personal account due to some problems transferring over his company account.
35% to his company account. if they close their business, is it that I can still claim at least the deposit I've made to his personal account?
SDB MAINTENANCE LTD overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK
FIND-AND-UPDATE.COMPANY-INFORMATION.SERVICE.GOV.UK
SDB MAINTENANCE LTD - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity