Can I Walk? Today!

[REN24]

I run a small limited renovation company and was contracted by a client we have worked for a number of times over a ten year period to look at and complete work in a small cottage owned by them.

I was more than a wear that the client could be that's say "difficult and demanding" however I had always in the past managed to make things work and try to accommodate the client and accept the client for who they where and ignore there behavior.

Anyway..

Due to having a good relationship with said client no contract was completed and all communications where made by email, text, Whats App (as normal)

The project in hand was very complex involving extensive roof repairs (internal) involving permissions from local authorities (as a grade two listed building) and all repairs had to be completed using traditional methods like lath and plaster.

Due to the extent of the work needed there was no way I could cost or estimate for the job properly as there where so many unknowns so instead a ball park figure was agreed (via Whats App) of between £32,000 and £36,000 to complete all works.

To date we are on schedule as agreed (end of March) and way under the ball park figure agreed with cost(s) currently standing at approximately £17,000.

However my clients behavior has become unbearable..

I am and have been constantly bombarded with text, messages and emails and even phone calls everyday between 5am up to 2am over the last three months regarding the work(s) sent daily You Tube videos on how to complete certain tasks etc, etc.. the client has even gone as far as contacting existing clients of mine to advise them I cannot work for them until after March due to there project!

Most of this I have tried to let go over my head as I don't want to make the working conditions anymore unbearable than they already are on the hope of completing and never coming back.

The project has involved very skilled and complex work and we are now around 70% complete and the work needed has now shifted to your basic lath and plastering, painting etc..

My client has now decided it is acceptable to get quotes from a number of other tradesman who are at the property whilst I am working to cost/estimate for the remaining work, and they have also advised they are not going to complete the project as agreed with the local authority's using traditional methods, which I have said I will not and cannot do..

I am now at a loss as my client has advised they want me to only complete work if I match or lower my price to match the quotes they are receiving, supply invoices for materials direct from my suppliers (however organise and collect the materials myself) as they want everything at trade, also remove my labourer from the project to save them money however still agree the dead line, and reduce my hourly rate down to less than £20 per an hour, else they are going to get someone else to complete!

As you can imagine all the above is totally unacceptable, and would simply like to tell the client to carry on and complete the project with however she has received new quotes from as I cannot work with those demands..

HOWEVER

Can I walk or Not with no come back on my business?

[efpom]

Messy - but a couple of questions
Have you been paid for the work you have already done?
Is your work subject to any form of planning permission?

[Pezza54]

Do you know if your client obtained listed building consent from the LA?
They should have obtained written permission to renovate the grade 2 listed property
Failing to obtain permission or not complying with the stipulations, may result in your client being issued with a listed building enforcement notice
You should explain to your client that you are looking after their best interests (costly to redo work, possible fines) when you are refusing to renovate using more modern and cheaper materials/labour

[REN24]

Yes I have been paid for work already completed and no we don't need any planning permission

I obtained written permission for the client, it was deemed that the work that we are carrying out should be classed as "repair and maintain" using traditional building methods (IE lath & plaster)

I have ensured the client is FULLY a wear of what is permitted and granted from the start, and email ALL paperwork to them

However the client has decided that they no longer want the costs involved in completion the work properly?

They have instead opted to move forward with who ever they can get to work for the cheapest using what ever method is cheapest?

I have explained ALL

"Failing to obtain permission or not complying with the stipulations, may result in your client being issued with a listed building enforcement notice"
"You should explain to your client that you are looking after their best interests (costly to redo work, possible fines) when you are refusing to renovate using more modern and cheaper materials/labour"

Yet the client has decided I should delete all email correspondences so as there is no proof!

I have explained that I will be doing NO such thing..

The client has simply looked up and said "I have deleted everything, and should we get looked into I will simply say I had no idea of the extent of work or the fact that permissions were needed.."

"I simple employed you to complete the work and that is all I know, I have no knowledge of building or building methods so left the entire project in your capable hands!"

[Pezza54]

The client wants to complete the work with another contractor and you want to walk away
IMO you can. You should refuse to comply with the client's instructions not to use materials and construction methods stated in the LA's letter giving permission to renovate the property.
You should write to your client stating you are terminating the informal contract and will cease work on xxxxx(date). You expect to be paid a reasonable amount for work undertaken, materials on site, overheads and profit.