Screwed Over By An Electrician - Desperate For Help, What Can I Do?

[Bazzzy]

Hi All,

Thinking I would get decent, honest service, I went with a locally advertised Electrician/workman for some electrical work & a complete room renovation.

At first he was very good but then started to slack off badly & eventually stopped turning up. I managed to persuade him to call round after a week & he said he was just in one of those moods!

We agreed that he would deal with his issues first & then start the following week but made it clear he simply keep me informed. I even brought back some duty free cigarettes for him from a trip! Unfortunately, he has again not turned up once and is refusing to reply to any of my calls.

I am recovering from a heart attack and am due to have major surgery in 3 weeks time for a very invasive & painful throat operation & informed him of that. I also live with a very ill elderly & disabled mother to whom this has caused so much trouble & hassle - it has broken my heart. She is really suffering because of this.

He has left my room completely gutted with various electrical cables lying across the floor (live) connected just to these metal boxes & sockets with wires hanging out of the wall as well as incomplete plumbing and destroying my phone line.

I am extremely upset about this & because he has hurt not only me & taken my money, he has actually hurt my very ill mother. Is there someone or some professional or official body that I can complain to so that they can take action against this guy? For all I know, he could have left my house as a potential death trap. Can I get him via some authority to either finish the work or repay my money by dictate or threat to have his license revoked by some governing or licensing body? I am hoping that faced with this, he will learn that will not get away with what he has done. If anyone can be of help, please kindly tell me what I can do? I am really desperate now & very depressed as my operations are only 3 weeks away & I will be bedridden for at least a few weeks to recover and there is no way I can live in the state he has left my room in. Please someone tell me how this guy can either be struck off or forced to honour his obligations.

With Sincere Thanks,

Bazzy.

 

[Spudnik]

Welcome to the forums and sorry to hear you have been badly let down.

Your first option would be to try and find him listed here:

Local Authority Building Control - SEARCH

Then, once you have found which scheme he belongs to, contact them and see if they can be of any help.

However, if he is not a registered contractor, then your only option is a solicitor.

Good luck.

 

[Jonesy83]

sounds like a complete scumbag to me ****** like this gives honest sparks a bad name hope you get it sorted mate

 

[Bazzzy]

Hi All,

Many thanks for the replies - what should I do in the meantime with all these wires sprawled out across my floor & from the sockets? They are live for sure as the sockets work - is is a fire risk? I do not want to put anyone at risk including my neighbours but I do not know enough about these things.

Bazzy!

 

[mars6394]

can i just say i find that appauling and fell like i want to come round and finish or even start the work myself for you, i dont think this competent person scheme really works im a nvq lvl 3 spark got my 17th edition 2391 soon but still i am not deemed competent enough to wire a house ,this guy just sounds like a bodge and scarper guy con mertchant i hope u solve this problem but i would personally send the dogs round for him n wouldnt bother with the labc as you will still have nothing sorted months down the line but hope evrything goes well for you both

 

[DurhamSparky]

Bazzy were do you live!!????

im sure some kind hearted person on the forums will come round and at least make safe for you!

near Durham???

 

[mars6394]

im in manchester?

 

[Crosswire]

Name and shame this so called sparky. Sounds like someone people should be aware of, so as to avoid them at all cost.

 

[Bazzzy]

Hi All,

I live in Greater London, (Harrow, Middx) - many thanks for the offers of kind help - all I want is a decent honest person to do a safe job - it seems that is impossible to do down my way ( are all the decent workmen all up north?!). I first got shafted by a bunch of Polish guys who were recommended due to their so called "hard work ethic" and this time I thought I would go local and someone who is fully English speaking to minimise the risks but it seems they must see sucker written all over me.

I know it is very wrong but I just want to go round & threaten to burn his down & see how he likes it but that is not in my nature & it seems with the way things are in this country, conmen & criminals can get away with anything & we decent people just have to put up with it. What if this guy ends up killing people one day due to his shoddy work - he would not even care I bet? It is beyond me how so wonderful they appear on the surface & what they are really like on the inside. I know where he lives but am in two minds whether to round in case he gets violent or something - I am quite fragile after my heart attack & cannot afford to get hurt badly as I am on blood thinners. I wish I knew a few heavies!

Sorry to rant everyone - I just do not want him to get away with what he is doing to us and hopefully that will make him think twice about doing the same to others in future. If anyone knows a decent & reasonably priced electrician near me - please let me know.

Many Thanks All,

Bazzy.

 

[pennywise]

PM sent hope he can help.

 

[Anonomoose]

What is the work involved? e.g. what did you want, what did he do/ not do?

I dont know what you can do other than report him to trading standards and the governing body he was registered with (if any) e.g. Elecsa, ECA, NIC.

 

[Bazzzy]

What is the work involved? e.g. what did you want, what did he do/ not do?

I dont know what you can do other than report him to trading standards and the governing body he was registered with (if any) e.g. Elecsa, ECA, NIC.

Hi,

I will definitely call trading standards & see what they say & if they can help - I did not think of them! As I have a little time on my hands, I will also try & contact those bodies & see if he is registered with any of them!

Many Thanks!

Bazzy!

 

[DurhamSparky]

what was he trading as!! ??? can quickyly check with his company name or his postcode!!

 

[Bazzzy]

what was he trading as!! ??? can quickyly check with his company name or his postcode!!

Hi,

I answered his ad in the local paper - you know the type " Friendly & Reliable Local Electrician, No Job To Small" etc. The reason I chose local was that I thought they would be the last people to do such a thing as their work is local & their reputation would soon get tarnished as word got around & also that I would be able to find them in case of future problems or any further work I might have needed.

I have a pretty good idea where he lives and his parents but will need to check with the electoral register just to make sure.

Is there any way, i can check to see which body he is qualified with or who grants him his licence? I could then contact them & see if that helps - maybe loosing his licence might bring about a sense of decency within him? He is a sole trader I think?

I gave him my entire room to do - electrical, plumbing, sanding & painting, changing telephone socket position & running extensions, wallpapering, laying AV cables, & lay laminate floor. It sounds like a lot but they were not huge jobs and he said he would take care of the electrics, av cables & telephone socket, his son the plumbing & his colleague the rest. He has butchered my telephone line so I cannot use it and cannot access my own internet even though I am paying for it. I am currently using my sisters work router!

Is there anything the local council can do? Do they have a safety department or team that deal with poor workmen that flout work standards? I have his car registration if that helps?

Bazzy!

 

[DurhamSparky]

Local Authority Building Control - SEARCH

bash a few details in to that pal..

to give it a quick whirl punch in Durham Electrics in trading name and should bring me up along with another firm my way!

if you have his postcode it works the same

TRADING STANDARDS will be interested but see what his scheme (if registered) says first as they can revoke his Part P Card!

 

[pennywise]

Another thing if you do want to press a complaint through a scheme provider don't do anything until they have seen it, they won't be interested if its a retrospective complaint.

 

[bugsy]

Bazzy P.M. we will try to sort and make it safe ( free of charge - just to prove on the whoile we are a respectucfull bunch) we will thentry to find him and if is affiliated to any worthwhile organisation - have his nuts!

 

[cbw]

Bugsy, If its a quiet day for me I would also come along and make tea!....P.M Me if tea boy needed (13th May is my next empty day)

 

[DurhamSparky]

guys i would help but im off to the Dominican for 2 weeks with some money i invested from bad luck..!!

plus its about 300 miles away !

 

[Sav]

Hi guys,
Count me in if you gus need any help>
i am in North London, Southgate and I am sure we can do DIY SOS type of film about this !!

Let me know ok,
Best regards,
Sav

 

[Sintra]

Bazzy P.M. we will try to sort and make it safe ( free of charge - just to prove on the whoile we are a respectucfull bunch) we will thentry to find him and if is affiliated to any worthwhile organisation - have his nuts!

Bugsy, If its a quiet day for me I would also come along and make tea!....P.M Me if tea boy needed (13th May is my next empty day)

Hi guys,
Count me in if you gus need any help>
i am in North London, Southgate and I am sure we can do DIY SOS type of film about this !!

Let me know ok,
Best regards,
Sav

Lads great to see that there are decent honest people about.

 

[DurhamSparky]

sintra...! why you not going to help..! and dont use the Volcano / ASH excuse!! so last week

yeah guys make an example of that useless cowboy who was in one of them moods!!!

sorry i still cant help!

 

[Sintra]

sintra...! why you not going to help..! and dont use the Volcano / ASH excuse!! so last week

yeah guys make an example of that useless cowboy who was in one of them moods!!!

sorry i still cant help!

Trust me Steve if I was within 100 miles of that gentleman I would be there. That dirty scumbag needs put in his place.

 

[bugsy]

sintra...! why you not going to help..! and dont use the Volcano / ASH excuse!! so last week

yeah guys make an example of that useless cowboy who was in one of them moods!!!

sorry i still cant help!

No worries' we will be thinking of you - sun, sea , ---,

 

[DurhamSparky]

same here..!


bugs ,cbw, sav !! big thumbs up!!

 

[bugsy]

At this rate he'll a full rewire in 2 hours ! ( but where is he !)

 

[Phil]

what a top set of guy`s where else would you find someone offering to do this?

 

[mogga]

anyone got Melissas phone number n get her round AFTER the works done wouldnt want u guys getting all distracted

 

[Bazzzy]

Hi All,

Wow, what can I say? I am so very touched, I really am - I had just about lost faith in people - I really was that down I cannot tell you. I am a buddhist & always look to seek the happiness of others and have been realy struggling with my faith lately - by just offering to help me, you have all helped me reaffirmed my faith again. I am so very grateful!

I am based in Harrow, Middx which is sort of between Watford & Wembley. I am kind of lost for words now, I registered with this site as a long shot desperate attempt for help & advice & never would have thought you all would be so kind.

After my heart attack, I lost my job so things have been very difficult and having to deal with guys like this who take your money & leave you high & dry and a ill mum has not been easy. Thanks to you guys, I finally smiled again today and felt like I had friends - deepest, deepest, thanks to all.

Bazzy.

 

[Sav]

So,
Are we on or......

The van is ready to go and I got nice greek biscuits from mother !!!!!

Sav

 

[Phil]

tell you what guys if any of you are ever up in leeds i will sort you all out with vip passes into a club a friend of mine runs worth a tenner a pop for the entry fee. you won`t need melinda in there

 

[bugsy]

Hi All,

Wow, what can I say? I am so very touched, I really am - I had just about lost faith in people - I really was that down I cannot tell you. I am a buddhist & always look to seek the happiness of others and have been realy struggling with my faith lately - by just offering to help me, you have all helped me reaffirmed my faith again. I am so very grateful!

I am based in Harrow, Middx which is sort of between Watford & Wembley. I am kind of lost for words now, I registered with this site as a long shot desperate attempt for help & advice & never would have thought you all would be so kind.

After my heart attack, I lost my job so things have been very difficult and having to deal with guys like this who take your money & leave you high & dry and a ill mum has not been easy. Thanks to you guys, I finally smiled again today and felt like I had friends - deepest, deepest, thanks to all.

Bazzy.

O.K. Bazzy nitty gritty time , would you like a crash team, if so post a reply (hope you have lot's of parking, ( and tea ) ) need to fix dates with the guy's

 

[Spudnik]

Lads,

Its very commendable that you are offering your services to put things right.

However, please do make sure that all the correct steps are taken before any remedial work is carried out.

The contractor (if registered) WILL have the opportunity to put things right first; thats how it works.

 

[netblindpaul]

Please take on board Jason.S's comments.
I'm nearly 200 Mi away. So it's bit of a no go for me.
Who is the closest?
Perhaps they could go and do a report and check on what is needed for the client to take this further in case the original spark is registered with a scam?
You could then help the client to sort the "paperwork" out to bang this guy to rights?
Paul

 

[Bazzzy]

O.K. Bazzy nitty gritty time , would you like a crash team, if so post a reply (hope you have lot's of parking, ( and tea ) ) need to fix dates with the guy's

Hi All,

This is what needs to be done electrically:

a) 3 sockets trailing on wires to be placed on wall (part of the wall needs to be bricked up),
b) 4 ceiling low voltage down-lights need to be fitted
c) Couple of wall sockets hanging loose needs to be put back
d) Light-switches need to be reversed (installed wrong way up)
e) Bar light needs slight repositioning.
f) Telephone line needs to be re-fixed & extensions placed

Apart from that, I need:

a) Brick work & very small amount of plastering
b) Wallpapering/Coving installed
c) laminate flooring installed
d) Radiator fitted
e) A few other DIY decorating things

If anyone can also help with these, I will be happy to contribute what I can or do something to help you in whatever way I can, I can then later slowly paint & tidy up! The room does need a bit of work I am afraid!

Forums member "ac.electrical" has also offered to help so my sincere thanks to him as well!

I was unable to find decent work people for so long no matter how hard I tried & with the grace of these forums & its members, I have had more help today than all the others before combined!

I am happy to work around dates which suit you all best and am flexible to suit your schedules - shall we say in a couple of days or so?

Bazzy!

 

[Spudnik]

Pleased to hear one of the members has offered to help out, however, please be aware that if any remedial works are carried out beforehand, then you will not have the opportunity to bring the rogue trader to task.

Your call, however, good luck!

 

[Sintra]

IMO this gentlemans safety should take priority over bureaucracy at least the installation should be made safe which would be your duty if you called round to him.

 

[mogga]

photograph the handy work before work starts and possibly invite LA around and explain to then the situation get them to test and waive their fee?

 

[garyinderby]

Hey, i maybe in derby but if i can be of help? seems we have enough sparkies so could bring me trowels maybe do the brickwork and plastering. when you thinking of going?

 

[Richard Andrews]

Hi All,

Thinking I would get decent, honest service, I went with a locally advertised Electrician/workman for some electrical work & a complete room renovation.

At first he was very good but then started to slack off badly & eventually stopped turning up. I managed to persuade him to call round after a week & he said he was just in one of those moods!

We agreed that he would deal with his issues first & then start the following week but made it clear he simply keep me informed. I even brought back some duty free cigarettes for him from a trip! Unfortunately, he has again not turned up once and is refusing to reply to any of my calls.

I am recovering from a heart attack and am due to have major surgery in 3 weeks time for a very invasive & painful throat operation & informed him of that. I also live with a very ill elderly & disabled mother to whom this has caused so much trouble & hassle - it has broken my heart. She is really suffering because of this.

He has left my room completely gutted with various electrical cables lying across the floor (live) connected just to these metal boxes & sockets with wires hanging out of the wall as well as incomplete plumbing and destroying my phone line.

I am extremely upset about this & because he has hurt not only me & taken my money, he has actually hurt my very ill mother. Is there someone or some professional or official body that I can complain to so that they can take action against this guy? For all I know, he could have left my house as a potential death trap. Can I get him via some authority to either finish the work or repay my money by dictate or threat to have his license revoked by some governing or licensing body? I am hoping that faced with this, he will learn that will not get away with what he has done. If anyone can be of help, please kindly tell me what I can do? I am really desperate now & very depressed as my operations are only 3 weeks away & I will be bedridden for at least a few weeks to recover and there is no way I can live in the state he has left my room in. Please someone tell me how this guy can either be struck off or forced to honour his obligations.

With Sincere Thanks,

Bazzy.

There are many excellent, conscientious, electricians. Where are you geographically?

I served my time up and down shafts installing goods and passenger lifts, but I've got a little plastic card that says I'm a NICEIC Qualified Supervisor and Part P Duty Holder... I also know how to read a Regulation Book.

Compiling pre-court reports on sloppy work, liasing with insurance companies, doing deals to resolve issues... The following reference is one that let to a major reduction in sub-contract work and all sorts of names, but if you're not too far away I may help (if I can).

To Whom It May Concern:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have known Mr Richard Andrews, in my role as Project Manager for Communities ReUnited. A local Charity established to support and help flood victims following the Carlisle Floods in 2005.

During the following three years whilst many people struggled to get their homes repaired following the floods, I needed a reliable and trustworthy Electrician to identify and report on contractor’s failure to comply with current wiring regulations and standards. This report formed the basis of resolving many insurance claims.

Mr Andrews fulfilled this role perfectly showing care and attention to detail, whilst at the same time empathising with the plight of the flood victims. His workmanship was outstanding, and many times he went more than the extra mile to resolve and identify electrical faults.

I have no hesitation in recommending his service, and the quality of his workmanship.


Regards


Paul Hendy

The National Flood Forum
Flood Recovery Advisor / Consultant