Freaking out

**SJN Electrical** · 6th December 2011, 08:50 PM

Hi guys,

Could really do with some advice, a bit long winded but here goes.

Originally started a job through a builder I knew, price was agreed, lovely.

Started job, then extra, after extra, after extra. price was again agreed. Lovely

Job now finished on my side of the installation. Builder has outstanding snagging but is no longer allowed on site.

I have tried to meet the client with other trades to discuss outstanding works but keeps making excuses not to meet us.

He is now saying he is gonna get other trades to finish work, but the builder cannot pay me if he has not been payed!!!

I have asked the client to pay me direct as I'm finished but he is saying not till all works are complete.

To me this doesn't even make sense and I think he is trying to weasel out of paying.

Do I have a leg to stand on in court? If so where do I begin or do I just send the boys round?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Steven

**simpson93** · 7th December 2011, 11:44 AM

do you have any paper work? did you supply materials or them?

**SJN Electrical** · 7th December 2011, 07:53 PM

A bit of both really, didn't get a great deal of paper work even though normally I get everything signed before I even walk through the door but the builder is a mate and worked with him before.

**dialect** · 7th December 2011, 09:25 PM

Go round to the property and explain that you have done the works and extra items required and if he doesnt pay you the agreed amount you will take him to the small claims court.
Or you could always ask to arrange a mutually convenient time to call round and collect your materials, starting with the cables you have installed in the walls. Either way, good luck with it, shit time of year for that to happen, not that there is a good time.

**SJN Electrical** · 10th December 2011, 07:50 AM

Court was my first option but wasn't sure if it was the client or builder I had to take to court?

**nicky** · 7th January 2012, 05:08 PM

tell the client that your not issuing the certs until things are sorted or your materials are returned.

**kenny james** · 11th March 2012, 08:58 PM

i have a little clause at the bottom of all my quotations/estimates that clearly states that all materials is my companies property until the final payment has been payed to our company and explains that i have the right to remove materials if any part of a payment that is owed to me is unsatifactorily delayed or not payed without written permission, i dont have it in bold as sometimes this might frighten the genuine clients but those that have ideas to do just that realise that they dont want me to start ripping out the twin and earth out of a newly plastered building because i want my materials back which is rightly mine just because they want to try and do one on me.

**London** · 14th March 2012, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by nicky

tell the client that your not issuing the certs until things are sorted or your materials are returned.

They can always get an electrician to certify the work

**London** · 14th March 2012, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by kenny james

i have a little clause at the bottom of all my quotations/estimates that clearly states that all materials is my companies property until the final payment has been payed to our company and explains that i have the right to remove materials if any part of a payment that is owed to me is unsatifactorily delayed or not payed without written permission, i dont have it in bold as sometimes this might frighten the genuine clients but those that have ideas to do just that realise that they dont want me to start ripping out the twin and earth out of a newly plastered building because i want my materials back which is rightly mine just because they want to try and do one on me.

In theory, the builder must pay you. You can't just go there and rip the walls and floor apart to take your cable back.