Difficulty with tradesman

Newjob1

Hi all,

I wonder if anyone could give me some advice or help with this.

So I engaged with a tradesman to but new fence in my garden. He gave me a quote and agreed to do the work… however he never agreed to a start date…. It’s been going on now since February. I paid a 35% deposit which equates to nearly 3k. To date he has only dug up the holes to place the posts in the garden… no new materials have been installed yet.

He’s also been acting a little odd. Turning up to our house late at night (10.30/11pm) stating he forgot things in the garden need to get them (measuring tape, gloves etc) which my partner has become a little weary of him.

he also got numbers of my neighbours beside me and txts them. He won’t commit to a date to resume the work and just shows up unannounced and then demand someone let him in… he keeps asking for a spare key to my house which I refuse to give him.

he is now requesting a further payment of 2k again no other work done to date except the hole dug for the posts and clear away of old fencing in the garden.

he keeps phoning at unsociable hours and it’s getting a bit too much…

Not sure what to do I want to walk away now but can I do that if I committed to the job with him?

Rocket_GD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058411630/difficulty-with-tradesman

You've opened 11 threads with only 25 posts, something smells fishy here and it isn't the tuna I'll be having for lunch today.

looksee

You may have committed to the job but he has not fulfilled his part of the agreement, so walk away if that's what you feel is the best solution. His general messing does sound very concerning. Why would he need to be let in? Does he have to get through the house to get at the job?

Tell him to stop messing, bring the materials and get on with the job within a week or refund your money, or you will be going to the small claims court. You probably won't ever get your money but it might put manners on him.

looksee

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123490094#Comment_123490094

Oh yes, right. Forget it.

Newjob1

Thanks for the reply.

He advised that he needs access to power for the tools etc which is fair enough but when I advised him to give me a date and time I’d make sure someone is there. He wasn’t happy with that and kept demanding a spare key. He keeps saying he can’t commit to an a act date and he is in between jobs and will come to mine last minute.

to be honest I’m happy to write off the initial deposit to see the back of him. He said he has purchased all the materials and is stored in his premises…. I’d just like to get the work done but everything seems to be a problem with him when he does come around…. Weather, uneven ground, next door dogs barking (fear of dogs)…

he send a picture of materials in a yard but not sure if it’s for my job or another one. I asked to bring materials to mine but he said they might get stolen left out in open.

My partner wants me to get rid of him and get someone else.