Builder has shafted my parents

[fredleped]

Can this be moved to relevant forum please.

 

A builder has spoofed my parent of their savings by building an un-certifiable new build house and doing a bunk with the money.

 

I live about 300 miles away so was unaware of the problem but now find they have no money left and the house is not really fit to live in.

 

On top of this the builder has had goods delivered to my parents address using their name and not paid for them.

 

The company that supplied the goods has it on record that the builder ordered these goods (drain pipes soffits etc.) for their house

but they have not been fitted and are the wrong colour and fitting for the building.

 

I'm unsure what to do,

 

legally it's nothing to do with me but my parents are old and now are very, very ill because of this business.

 

What can I do legally and what do I need to do to get things rolling. I am completely new to dealing with this sort of behaviour.

 

1 Detailed bills from suppliers show goods not used at this house build ordered and invoiced to this job.

 

2. Number of defect around build resulting in no completion certificate not address.

 

3. General poor/shoddy workmanship around building not repaired.

 

4. Ground workers labourers and other contractors showing up with bills despite main builder being paid for this work.

 

I/my parent have meticulous records of all bank/card payment for goods from suppliers so proving wrong doing hopefully wont be to difficult.

 

BIG QUSTION IS WHERE DO I START (HAVE MY OWN IDEA BUT THAT MAT NOT BE LEGAL).

 

Any info or advise would be very welcome.

[renegadeimp]

Do you know where the builder lives? If so, dont hang around, get a court claim in against him. If he owns his home, get the court to make him bankrupt or force a sale on his house to recoup the costs.

[stu007]

Hi fredleped

 

Welcome to CAG, I am sorry to here about the dreadful situation your parents are in.

 

1. Where are your parents staying at present?

2. Do they actually have Planning Permission for the Build?

3. What was the contract in place for the Build?

4. How were payments arranged during the build?

5. Have you contacted Trading Standards?

 

Hopefully other will be along to give you advice

[citizenB]

Did he imply he belonged to a Trade Association? If so then you could perhaps contact them. I see you have already been advised to contact Trading Standards.

[Conniff]

BIG QUSTION IS WHERE DO I START (HAVE MY OWN IDEA BUT THAT MAT NOT BE LEGAL).

 

It's probably the best one though.

 

You need to see for yourself really, pay them a visit and check the paperwork they have, you need to be satisfied that it is a legitimate company to start with. Are bill and advisories on proper company headed paper and are they VAT registered.

 

Be sure to insist your parents do not pay any further bills or demands from anyone no matter how threatening and if they are threatened, they must call the police. Make sure they understand that.

 

Once you have established the status of the company then you can check on the directors and that is who you should go for. Going for a company can be folly in that they can just fold that one and start another.

[ashmk]

BIG QUSTION IS WHERE DO I START (HAVE MY OWN IDEA BUT THAT MAT NOT BE LEGAL).

 

It's funny you should say that, just yesterday I was speaking to a friend of mine who had a builder make a right mess of an extension which cost a further 5k to put right. She went down all the correct routes to reclaim the money and not a penny was paid back. Eventually she had a word with some local heavies she was friendly with and they went round for a 'chat'. The guy has already paid back a grand with the rest promised in installments. I guess your legs as collateral are worth more than anything the courts can threaten.

 

p.s I don't condone that action.