Counter-charges imposed by contractor

what can he do? what can I do?

  • bill me what he wants and take me to courts?

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I have no thing to worry about?

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
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Rasol

Free Member
Apr 16, 2019
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  • #1
    hello

    So The situation is as fallows:

    I have done some jobs for a main contractor in the past (about a month ago) work checked received all payments, given verbal notice of leaving, left early as couldn't agree a price for work on hand. no contract, work on day to day we have this like- no like basis.

    now a month on I get messages from old contractor telling me I am being billed for work that is being done to rectify some of the work I have done. can they really do that? wrote him a message saying I should have at least been given a chance to rectify so called "faults" and that I will not accept the charge. called me back calling me names telling me he will take this further should I not pay the bill which I am yet to receive.
    Any advice?
     
    kulture

    kulture

    Free Member
    • Aug 11, 2007
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    www.kultureshock.co.uk
  • #2
    The lack of a written contract is inconvenient for both parties. In the absence of that you have to go on what actually happened. You did some work, it was checked, you were paid in full. You left. This is a contract.

    You have not been asked back to rectify faults. This is important.

    The old contractor has a very weak case. Regardless of what the faults are he should have given you the opportunity to rectify them. You should not have written to him. You should have ignored the verbal communication. You should wait for the bill, if it ever arrives. When you get the bill write back immediately saying that you do not agree with it, stating your reasons. It may be advisable to talk to a solicitor before replying.

    It is unlikely he will take you to court, but he could. It is very unlikely that he would win, but he could. It all depends on the details and what (if anything) he has in writing by way of a contract.

    Your poll is pointless as both options are correct.
     
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    paulears

    paulears

    Free Member
    Jan 7, 2015
    5,667
    1,667
    Suffolk - UK
  • #3
    I suppose that if there is evidence that your work was substandard and they had to rectify it, then that cost, as an independent contractor paid to perform a certain job with specific quality standards would seem to be directed at you. Some people have professional indemnity insurance for this kind of risk. If your work was sub standard, then why would they give you a chance to do more? You just get somebody else to do it properly.

    On the other side, you are entitled to see the evidence and consider what work you did that was or wasn't good enough. You don't of course have to pay the bill. They will take you to county court and present their evidence there, and the judge will determine if they or you are correct.

    So wait for the invoice, if not provided, ask for the evidence and full details and then consider if they are on solid ground. As a contractor, you are responsible for your quality, and if it slips, there will be a cost and damage to your reputation. I suppose you should review what you did and ask yourself if it was good enough.
     
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    Rasol

    Free Member
    Apr 16, 2019
    4
    0
  • #4
    I have spoken to the person rectifying the problem as I still stay in touch with my colleagues and main issues are adjustments to doors and doorstops some lose spindles, (I am a carpenter) in any case from my experience this is often caused by swelling and drying out and goes away after full heating is on for few days. this time of year its very humid. As per standards of the work itself I always try to do it to standards required.
     
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