N
ndsmith
Although this is not directly to do with gas, I put this in here as its a non public area.
I have been working on a job, 2 simple cottage renovations, 1 for a lad and 1 for his mum. Halfway through the job things started to get very suspect, they had paid a little bit of money but didnt like the mention of it. I had to order £4k worth of material in 1 go for the job, £2k for each cottage, so I asked the m for the money and they wondered why they had to pay. Diplomatically I avoided saying I dont trust you, however when they realised it would hold the job up, I received the money. I carried on doing the job and a couple of weeks later, I asked for some more money for radiators and more pipework, 1 cottage came to £850ish and the other £450ish, the reply I got was "I've already paid for the boiler and stuff", the same day my suppliers rang and said the customer was trying to get stuff delivered for their job off my account, luckily I am good friends with a lad who works there and he didnt release anything and rung me. Instantly alarm bells started ringing, so I said I wouldnt return until I had recieved payments.
Another firm then come in and finish the job, from other trades I heard they had problems, they had 1 or 2 leaks and the customer was messing them around also.
Still no money received so I sent out reminders, and a intention of action letter using the small claims court.
I then receive an email from 1 of them stating my pipework has leaked, claiming i hadnt pressure tested it and I am entirely to blame for this and she hopes I have the insurance to cover the huge costs incurred and she will be going to her solicitor about it.
I had carried out full pressure testing of all pipework as always, especially as the majority was hidden, I also have other tradesmen who were there at the time who can back this up, I even have 1 or 2 pictures of doing it.
I replied saying I had acknowledged the email, and could I point out that payments still had not been recieved.
Then I get told of another leak in the other cottage, the same leak the electrician had told me the new plumbers had caused when changing pipework positions!
So I feel I am waiting for a false insurance claim, however I dont want to be caught out, I'd rather be ready for when sopmething happens. So I was wondering if anyone had some advice on people or companies to see or contact. The only time I have had to use my insurance it was my fault so that was straight forward!
Thanks in advance.
I have been working on a job, 2 simple cottage renovations, 1 for a lad and 1 for his mum. Halfway through the job things started to get very suspect, they had paid a little bit of money but didnt like the mention of it. I had to order £4k worth of material in 1 go for the job, £2k for each cottage, so I asked the m for the money and they wondered why they had to pay. Diplomatically I avoided saying I dont trust you, however when they realised it would hold the job up, I received the money. I carried on doing the job and a couple of weeks later, I asked for some more money for radiators and more pipework, 1 cottage came to £850ish and the other £450ish, the reply I got was "I've already paid for the boiler and stuff", the same day my suppliers rang and said the customer was trying to get stuff delivered for their job off my account, luckily I am good friends with a lad who works there and he didnt release anything and rung me. Instantly alarm bells started ringing, so I said I wouldnt return until I had recieved payments.
Another firm then come in and finish the job, from other trades I heard they had problems, they had 1 or 2 leaks and the customer was messing them around also.
Still no money received so I sent out reminders, and a intention of action letter using the small claims court.
I then receive an email from 1 of them stating my pipework has leaked, claiming i hadnt pressure tested it and I am entirely to blame for this and she hopes I have the insurance to cover the huge costs incurred and she will be going to her solicitor about it.
I had carried out full pressure testing of all pipework as always, especially as the majority was hidden, I also have other tradesmen who were there at the time who can back this up, I even have 1 or 2 pictures of doing it.
I replied saying I had acknowledged the email, and could I point out that payments still had not been recieved.
Then I get told of another leak in the other cottage, the same leak the electrician had told me the new plumbers had caused when changing pipework positions!
So I feel I am waiting for a false insurance claim, however I dont want to be caught out, I'd rather be ready for when sopmething happens. So I was wondering if anyone had some advice on people or companies to see or contact. The only time I have had to use my insurance it was my fault so that was straight forward!
Thanks in advance.