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We engaged a company to build a shepherd's hut on site. The cost was £17200.
The company were very slow, and missed their first deadline by 3 weeks. They set another deadlne, then asked for 4 more days. At the end of this time they said they couldn't finish it at all and asked us to get a builder into do the last few things- build steps, build bed and table, fit woodburner.. They still had not delivered some of the items included in the cost. He basically blackmailed us, saying if we didn't pay him he would not bring the items.
We had already complained about the substandard work that we could see, and agreed to withhold £3,500 to put this right. He agreed to this, and agreed that someone else would do the work. We also held back £1,800 as he had ordered a woodburner which hadn't been delivered yet. We paid him £6,000 by American Express. In total we have paid £12,000.
After he left more and more issues came to light, especially when the new builder came to finish it off.. We had it inspected yesterday and were told that it is not fit for purpose as it has been built so badly in every respect. We were advised to ask them to remove the hut and ask for a refund. This person was a shepherd's hut specialist who just laughed at how badly made it was.
My concern is that if we take him to the small claims court he will liquidate the company and we will get nothing. The hut is to be a holiday rental and is our income as I have lost my job due to Covid, so it is really important that we have something fit for purpose.
He is intimidating that he will take us to court for the £1,800. I am 100% sure if he did this that we would win, as I have lost of evidence that the whole build is shoddy.
Is there any way we can use the fact we paid by American Express (via Stripe) to get some money back? All I want is a functioning shepherd's hut!
Thanks so much for any help.
The company were very slow, and missed their first deadline by 3 weeks. They set another deadlne, then asked for 4 more days. At the end of this time they said they couldn't finish it at all and asked us to get a builder into do the last few things- build steps, build bed and table, fit woodburner.. They still had not delivered some of the items included in the cost. He basically blackmailed us, saying if we didn't pay him he would not bring the items.
We had already complained about the substandard work that we could see, and agreed to withhold £3,500 to put this right. He agreed to this, and agreed that someone else would do the work. We also held back £1,800 as he had ordered a woodburner which hadn't been delivered yet. We paid him £6,000 by American Express. In total we have paid £12,000.
After he left more and more issues came to light, especially when the new builder came to finish it off.. We had it inspected yesterday and were told that it is not fit for purpose as it has been built so badly in every respect. We were advised to ask them to remove the hut and ask for a refund. This person was a shepherd's hut specialist who just laughed at how badly made it was.
My concern is that if we take him to the small claims court he will liquidate the company and we will get nothing. The hut is to be a holiday rental and is our income as I have lost my job due to Covid, so it is really important that we have something fit for purpose.
He is intimidating that he will take us to court for the £1,800. I am 100% sure if he did this that we would win, as I have lost of evidence that the whole build is shoddy.
Is there any way we can use the fact we paid by American Express (via Stripe) to get some money back? All I want is a functioning shepherd's hut!
Thanks so much for any help.
