What to Do When Builders Don’t Turn Up: Steps to Handle Unreliable Contractors

Dealing with an unreliable builder who fails to turn up can be incredibly frustrating.

However, this article covers the key steps you can take to resolve the issue and get your project back on track.

What to Do When Builders Don’t Turn Up?

Credit: MC Architectural Design

If your builder fails to turn up, first check your contract for any provisions allowing you to withhold payment or cancel.

Contact the builder to find out why and agree on a new date.

If the issue persists, seek mediation or take legal action to recover any losses.

Key Points

• Check the contract for non-performance clauses
• Contact the builder to resolve the issue
• Withhold payment to motivate progress

Our Opinion

If a builder consistently fails to turn up, it indicates poor organisation and reliability.

While delays happen occasionally, persistent non-attendance is unacceptable.

You should take action quickly, using contract terms and legal options if needed, to complete the work or recover losses.

Choosing a reputable builder reduces the chance of this happening.

What to Do if Your Builder Doesn’t Turn Up

If your builder repeatedly fails to turn up or complete work as agreed, there are several options:

• Check your contract – Look for any clauses about non-completion of work. This will dictate the next steps.
• Try mediation – Arrange a meeting to discuss the issues and aim to resolve them amicably.
• Contact support organisations – Citizens Advice or Trading Standards can provide guidance if the builder is uncooperative.
• Take legal action – You may need to make a claim in the small claims court if the builder disappears. However, take this action as your last resort.
• Withhold payment – Do not pay the full amount until all work is satisfactorily finished. Partial payments may be appropriate as milestones are met.
• Seek a refund – If the builder refuses to complete or fix defective work, request a partial or full refund.
• Cancel the contract – You may need to terminate the contract and find quotes from other builders. Cancellation of the contract should primarily be considered if the builder consistently fails to perform despite attempts to resolve issues.

The key is to act quickly if your builder fails to turn up or complete the agreed work. Acting quickly refers to addressing issues promptly through communication and contractual means, while also advocating for amicable resolution through mediation.

Check your contract, seek professional advice, and take legal action if necessary to get compensation. With the right approach, you can get the job finished and avoid losing money to a rogue trader.

How to Handle an Unreliable Builder

Credit: Chicago Site

Dealing with a builder who continuously fails to show up or finish work on time can be immensely frustrating. However, there are effective ways to handle this situation:

• Communicate clearly – Have an open discussion about timelines, expectations and challenges. Aim to find solutions.
• Be firm but fair – Politely insist the builder meets obligations, but understand genuine issues.
• Withhold payments – Only pay for work done. Never pay 100% upfront.
• Check reviews – Research reviews and complaints about the builder online beforehand.
• Don’t wait – Act quickly if the builder misses deadlines. Delaying could increase costs.
• Find a replacement – Have a backup builder in mind in case you need to terminate the contract.
• Learn for next time – Reflect on warning signs you may have missed when hiring.
• Leave honest feedback – After completion, leave objective feedback to help others. It is important to leave factual, objective reviews rather than solely negative ones. This ensures transparency and avoids potential legal repercussions from subjective criticism.

Staying calm but firm with the builder can help get your project back on track. If issues persist, switching builders may be needed to avoid a nightmare renovation. With the right precautions, you can handle unreliable builders effectively.

Legal Rights When Dealing with an Absent Builder

When continuously dealing with an absent builder, it’s crucial to know your legal rights to protect yourself:

• Breach of contract – Their failure to show up regularly may constitute a breach, allowing you to terminate the contract.
• Withhold final payment – You can legally withhold the final payment until all work is satisfactorily completed.
• Compensation – You may be entitled to compensation for financial losses caused by delays.
• Hire another builder – If work is abandoned, you can legally hire someone else to finish the job.
• Take legal action – You can sue for breach of contract and damages if an informal resolution fails. Do this
• Report to trade groups – File a complaint with trade associations like TrustMark if the builder is a member.
• Negative reviews – You can leave negative yet fact-based reviews to warn others.

Knowing your rights equips you to take appropriate action if a builder repeatedly fails to show up. However, written agreements, communication and common sense remain the best first steps before escalating legally. Arm yourself with the knowledge to tackle absent builders effectively.

How to Get Compensation From an Absent Builder

Getting compensation from an absent builder can be tricky but is possible with the right approach:

First, review your contract. There may be clauses about compensation for delays or non-completion of work. If the contract was breached, you can formally request compensation in writing, specifying the amount based on your losses.

If asking directly doesn’t work, suggest mediation to resolve the issue amicably. An impartial mediator can facilitate discussion and propose a settlement.

As a last resort, make a claim through the small claims court. You can claim up to £10,000 in England and Wales. Have evidence ready like contracts, correspondence, receipts, and photos. The court can award compensation and related costs.

If the builder has vanished, contact trade associations like TrustMark or the Federation of Master Builders. They have resolution processes and insurance to protect consumers in cases of non-completion.

Compensation takes effort but perseverance and the right approach can get results. Stay calm, know your rights, and don’t be afraid to escalate matters if a builder repeatedly fails to show up.

Tips on Finding a Reliable Builder

Here are some tips for finding a reliable builder you can trust:

• Get personal recommendations from friends and family who have had work done recently. Happy customers are your best indicator of builders who deliver.
• Check credentials like certification, insurance, and membership in trade associations like the Federation of Master Builders. This helps verify their qualifications and reliability.
• Look for reviews on sites like Trustpilot and TrustMark. But use caution as reviews can be faked. Focus on recent reviews over a long period for consistency.
• Interview multiple builders in person. Ask lots of questions and go with your gut feeling on their professionalism and trustworthiness.
• Check references thoroughly. Follow up with previous customers about their experience and the quality of work.
• Get quotes from at least three builders. Compare the scope of work, timelines, warranties, and what’s included. A significantly lower quote may indicate cutting corners.
• Agree payments tied to progress milestones, not upfront. This incentivizes the builder to complete the job.
• Trust your instincts. If something feels off about a builder, you’re probably right. Keep looking until you find one you’re confident in.

Finding a great builder takes time but is worth it. The right builder-client relationship built on trust can make all the difference in your project.

FAQ

What to do when a builder doesn’t turn up?

Check your contract for any provisions regarding non-performance. You may be able to withhold payment or cancel the contract. Contact the builder to find out why they haven’t turned up and agree on a new timeline. If issues persist, seek mediation or take legal action.

Why do tradesmen never turn up?

Reasons can include taking on too much work, poor planning and organisation, or personal issues. Reputable builders should communicate if they can’t make an appointment. Persistent failure to turn up indicates unreliability.

How long can a builder delay?

There is no set timeframe. It depends on the contract terms. Most contracts will specify an estimated completion date that the builder should try to meet. Excessive delays could constitute a breach of contract.

What to do if your builder is taking too long?

Discuss the delays with the builder first. Check if there are provisions in the contract allowing you to cancel if the work is not completed by a certain date. Withhold further payments until work progresses. Seek mediation or take legal action if delays become unacceptable.

Conclusion

Dealing with an unreliable builder who fails to turn up or complete work is frustrating. Check your contract and be proactive in contacting the builder to resolve issues. Withholding payment can motivate progress. If delays become excessive, mediation or legal action may be necessary, and you may need to find another builder. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of getting the work finished without extra cost.