FFF

You are quite wise to withold payment until the work is finished to a satisfactory level. If the builder is not easy to speak to, you should send them a letter by recorded delivery, setting out what the builder needs to do to satisfy the contract between you. Advising that if they finish the work to a satisfactory quality, you will pay the oustanding amount due.

If the builder is a member of the Federation of Master Builders or other trade body, they could have a concilliation service which may be able to help.

If they are not a member of any trade body, your local Trading Standards office may be able to help. These days you have to contact Consumer Direct as some TS do not take calls direct. See the following link. http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/before_you_buy/thinking_about/home-improvements/ .

Huckster

I have just been told unofficially that my builder has just gone bust. There's one small job to do but Ihave a problem with 3 things that I want them either to re-do or do some remedial work to improve the finish (one is quite major). Total bill for all works is about £8k and I paid them £3k up front - am happy that I've had over £3k of satisfactory work from them. They are pushing me to pay the final bill and now I heard about the 'going bust' problem I will not pay the balance until everything is done.

However, I'm worried about undue pressure they may put on me and any verbal bullying that they may try in order to get me to pay. I should really like to know my legal position and what I can say to them when they ask for the money.

Many thanks