Customer from hell

[agent mulder]

hello just after a bit of advice, I will try and keep this short,

I have been building an extention( 3 flats) to an existing building, when I started the job, I gave my customer an estimate of material and labour costs, his plans were not the best but I could work from them.
I am all but 80% through the job but gave had to pull off site as my customer didn't have the correct planning in place, I have said it would be a risk to continue with the job until it is passed.
I'm very pleased with the job and if I say so myself we gave done a good job, and only slightly over budget so far( but as it was pretty much a design and build with endless problems I'm fairly satisfied with the costings) ( oh my customer is paying for materials and paying me for labour)

I have received a message today saying not to do anymore work there as and I quote " various problems with the flats and are waiting for a report to come back on them".
I would be the first to admit a mistake but genuinely haven't on this job.
In short when this report comes back what would be my best plan of attack I.e get solicitor involved etc., and where do I stand legally ( we have no contract, he was sort of a friend at the start).
Our working relationship is now non existent so it would be impossible to complete the job

Any help or advice would be much appreciated

 

[Nuno]

Wait for the report, and his reaction to it. The report might just say that him causing a fuss would be a waste of his time and money; you just don't know.

Meanwhile dig out every scrap of paper you have about anything to do with this job, and if you can make a list of conversations with a record of date, who was there and what was discussed. If he goes arsey at least you'll be prepared.

 

[Bob]

If it reaches litigation, I would recommend that you instruct solicitors with a specialist construction team. On local to us here but it will give you a flavour of what you should be looking for

 

[S Isaac]

Have you been paid for your work do far?

All the report can do is highlight problems, if you disagree with the report you could ask for your own to be done. If there are minor snags, you could just do them to get the job over with/get paid.

 

[tech1000]

It this is completely out of the blue as stated & the customer is well known to you, why don't you try to contact them or pop round and tryto appear non confrontational (even if your annoyed)
& see if you can sit down & work it out without costing either of you money

 

[Newchodge]

Presumably the customer has major issues due to the lack of planning permission and is trying to find a way to avoid paying you. Do they owe you money?

 

[roydmoorian]

Welcome to the land of moving goalposts that is construction.

 

[farmerswife]

In hindsight get a fully listed quote, terms and conditions specific to your work, a signature and weekly/interim installments (never finish the job and ask for payment)
A couple of times we have been shafted and the law seems to be on their side, if the customer has no money then you have nothing. If the client is waiting for monies off a bank/mortgage then you could have a long wait. Be warned once solicitors get involved its extremely costly. Small claims is an option and very cheap.
Best start with a letter addressing the amount of work you have completed and the valuation to the level of works completed. Invoice this and ask for money within 14 days. Whatever you do you must start keeping correspondence (post needs to be registered & signed for). Then go for small claims depending on the amount of labour owed.

 

[Karllacey]

Even if it works out okay, just remember there are no 'friends' in business, there are associates and a contract of the back of fag packet is not enough, not anymore

 

[InternetMarketingPlatinum]

Get everything is writing and operate under terms. Also choose your clients wisely. Yes choose your clients.