UK Contra charges after non payment

[Essexsparky1]

Hi all. New here, just a question if any one has had a similar experience.
Halfway through a small domestic rewire, builder wouldn’t pay so long story short, had to take to court, awarded my way, but builder refused to pay still. Got bailiff involved, builder paid and I haven’t been asked to go back and complete (why would o want to though).
Now builder trying to Contracharge for items that we had no control over.
Any thoughts on how to go forward without going legal again?
thanks.

 

[telectrix]

need more info. like what;s he trying to charge for etc.

 

[Essexsparky1]

need more info. like what;s he trying to charge for etc.

Basically we left the job 60% complete about 18 months ago, now they have someone else completing it and they can’t find a couple of cables at the DB. Since we left, so much more work has been done to the structure of the building (floors down, ceilings up) so cables would of been left away from the DB as we were waiting for floors to go down to run the cables in. So floors are down and cables are either above the ceiling or under the floors. The builder wants to charge us for ripping up floors and ceilings down to find cables.

 

[telectrix]

he's go no hope. just tell him that you will in no way accept liability for anything done after you left. it's his problem, let him sort it.

 

[richy3333]

Agree with Tel. Builders just trying to have a pop at you because you got your money out of him. I'd ignore him and let him get on with it. Sounds like he's very disorganised.

 

[Essexsparky1]

Thanks Both.
I have now found out they are seasoned knockers, only this time I took them to court and previously they had always just ignored other contractors or threaten them with action if they didn’t return. I was comfortable not returning due to the circumstances before, but wanted some others opinions. Thanks again.

 

[Mike Johnson]

If this caries on, just inform him: "We can not be held responsible for other trades removing our cables whilst we where not in attendance on site due to your non payment of works already carried out", the wording is important.

 

[Essexsparky1]

Thank you. You are all very helpful, I knew I am in the right, but was unsure how to approach it.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Thank you. You are all very helpful, I knew I am in the right, but was unsure how to approach it

next time draw up a contract with the builder and get him to sign your bum ,lol.