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Hi,
I have been scammed by a fraudulent trader.
I found a builder through mybuilder, I got references and check insurance documents. I agreed the work to be done and signed a contract with a the company starting in Jan 2018.
The work was :
1. Move side entrance to the front of the house
2. Build 3m extension
3. Build a garden room
4. Convert garage into a playroom and lobby
5. Convert downstairs WC into a shower room.
I had planning and building regulations and plans were drawn by architect. The contract was £35000.
The contract had staged payments. The builder insisted on a £2000 upfront.
He started the work and initially work seemed to progress.
Then he started to ask for money in between stage completion.
He asked repeatedly and kept badgering me so I paid.
As work seemed to be progressing I was not too worried initially.
As soon each of the early stages was near completion he would ask for the money.
This progressed on to asking for advances to the next stages.
he would show me work that was near completion - when actually it was not. eg wiring just stuffed into junction box - not actually wired in.
In the end he took most of the money & did not complete the work.
The work that was completed turned out to be substandard and has been condemned by building regulations.
Most of the work has had to be redone at great expense.
For some of the builder insisted that payment was required immediately to buy materials.
He took the money but then no materials were purchased at all.
For example he insisted that I needed new radiators in the the house.
He insisted that I pay £600 for new ones and threw the old radiators from my house in a skip.
He did not replace the radiators with the new ones I had paid for.
I have an independent survey report to confirm all of this.
He just left and did not return at all.
My house was left in a dangerous and uninhabitable condition with no electric, wires just pushed into junction box,
no bathroom, no kitchen, no extension roof, incomplete walls.
I have lots of evidence available. Contract, texts, payment records, emails etc.
I tried calling and meeting to no avail during May, June and July of 2018.
I sent a letter of pre-action for breach of contract and then wrongful and fraudulent trading.
It turns out that he has 2 more recent CCJ which are unsatisfied.
The pre-action letters gave him 14 days to respond.
He requested several meetings but then did not turn up.
He is sole director of the company and is therefore responsible in making all the decisions and taking actions.
As as ordinary householder I have paid out my life saving only to be scammed by this conman. - he left the house in an uninhabitable and dangerous condition.
I have had to pay out a lot of money to get the work done properly and make the house livable.
I need help on this and this person is still doing this to other people.
My losses continue - while the house is being completed by another builder.
In the meantime I also have council tax to pay on two properties - as in this county empty properties attract full council tax.
The builder does jointly own a house, but his company is showing no assets.
My home insurer declined to take the case forward stating that the likely hood of success is high but that the prospect of recovery is low.
Personally I feel wiped mentally and financially out by the stress this has all caused.
I want to get as much money back as possible and draw a line under the matter.
I could take court action but faced with the choice of spending thousands on court action - I am worried it might not get be anywhere especially with someone shameless.
1. Other people have suggested selling the debt - not sure is this is possible
2. Statutory demand - not sure if this will help
3. Represent myself in court?
Any other suggestions or pointers on the most effective way to get my money back would be appreciated.
Thank-you
I have been scammed by a fraudulent trader.
I found a builder through mybuilder, I got references and check insurance documents. I agreed the work to be done and signed a contract with a the company starting in Jan 2018.
The work was :
1. Move side entrance to the front of the house
2. Build 3m extension
3. Build a garden room
4. Convert garage into a playroom and lobby
5. Convert downstairs WC into a shower room.
I had planning and building regulations and plans were drawn by architect. The contract was £35000.
The contract had staged payments. The builder insisted on a £2000 upfront.
He started the work and initially work seemed to progress.
Then he started to ask for money in between stage completion.
He asked repeatedly and kept badgering me so I paid.
As work seemed to be progressing I was not too worried initially.
As soon each of the early stages was near completion he would ask for the money.
This progressed on to asking for advances to the next stages.
he would show me work that was near completion - when actually it was not. eg wiring just stuffed into junction box - not actually wired in.
In the end he took most of the money & did not complete the work.
The work that was completed turned out to be substandard and has been condemned by building regulations.
Most of the work has had to be redone at great expense.
For some of the builder insisted that payment was required immediately to buy materials.
He took the money but then no materials were purchased at all.
For example he insisted that I needed new radiators in the the house.
He insisted that I pay £600 for new ones and threw the old radiators from my house in a skip.
He did not replace the radiators with the new ones I had paid for.
I have an independent survey report to confirm all of this.
He just left and did not return at all.
My house was left in a dangerous and uninhabitable condition with no electric, wires just pushed into junction box,
no bathroom, no kitchen, no extension roof, incomplete walls.
I have lots of evidence available. Contract, texts, payment records, emails etc.
I tried calling and meeting to no avail during May, June and July of 2018.
I sent a letter of pre-action for breach of contract and then wrongful and fraudulent trading.
It turns out that he has 2 more recent CCJ which are unsatisfied.
The pre-action letters gave him 14 days to respond.
He requested several meetings but then did not turn up.
He is sole director of the company and is therefore responsible in making all the decisions and taking actions.
As as ordinary householder I have paid out my life saving only to be scammed by this conman. - he left the house in an uninhabitable and dangerous condition.
I have had to pay out a lot of money to get the work done properly and make the house livable.
I need help on this and this person is still doing this to other people.
My losses continue - while the house is being completed by another builder.
In the meantime I also have council tax to pay on two properties - as in this county empty properties attract full council tax.
The builder does jointly own a house, but his company is showing no assets.
My home insurer declined to take the case forward stating that the likely hood of success is high but that the prospect of recovery is low.
Personally I feel wiped mentally and financially out by the stress this has all caused.
I want to get as much money back as possible and draw a line under the matter.
I could take court action but faced with the choice of spending thousands on court action - I am worried it might not get be anywhere especially with someone shameless.
1. Other people have suggested selling the debt - not sure is this is possible
2. Statutory demand - not sure if this will help
3. Represent myself in court?
Any other suggestions or pointers on the most effective way to get my money back would be appreciated.
Thank-you
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