B
brian c
sorry to hear about the customer from hell jimbob.let us know what the outcome is m8.very tricky situation so tread carefully m8,all the best....Bri
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H
Home Tiler
I would still try mate...
and if he doesn't accept...... then offer the services of a another tiler to rectify any mistakes if there is any...
if he still says no ... then start legal actions....
thing is ..it's probably more hassle than what it's worth so all i can say is... i hope it works out for you
Steve
G
Grace'sDad
This advice / experience is a bit late now but I had one of these a few months back. She seemed OK until part way into the job. A few comments and notes left were worrying me so I talked it through with her - her expectations (which turned out to be pretty unreal regarding mirror-flat flooring) and my expectations coupled with references to British Standards, re levels, spacing etc. I insisted that she sign copies of our "revised" agreement before I'd continue and assured her that it was for her protection as well as mine.
Interestingly, on my last day on the job she was having a heated argument with the plumbers. One of them told me she'd be haggling with me over the price but when it came to bill time she was really happy and didn't quibble once. I even had a compliment on the quality!!!
With regard to removing tiles - my understanding was that you could be done for criminal damage - even if they were your tiles until paid for. But didn't that case a couple of weeks ago of the extension on the council house set a new precedent? The builder had permission from the council and police to go and "retrieve" his unpaid-for materials. My brother in law who is a PC, reckons as long as you cause no material damage to the householder's property and don't trespass (i.e. stay when asked to leave) then you could in theory remove tiles, although this would a be last-ditch satisfaction-only action for me!
Interestingly, on my last day on the job she was having a heated argument with the plumbers. One of them told me she'd be haggling with me over the price but when it came to bill time she was really happy and didn't quibble once. I even had a compliment on the quality!!!
With regard to removing tiles - my understanding was that you could be done for criminal damage - even if they were your tiles until paid for. But didn't that case a couple of weeks ago of the extension on the council house set a new precedent? The builder had permission from the council and police to go and "retrieve" his unpaid-for materials. My brother in law who is a PC, reckons as long as you cause no material damage to the householder's property and don't trespass (i.e. stay when asked to leave) then you could in theory remove tiles, although this would a be last-ditch satisfaction-only action for me!
I
IvegotsTILE
Send him a letter saying the job was carried out to BS and that the work was well within the guidlines of exceptability.Demand payment in full within 7 days or you will take him to the small claims court which will incur him the charge of (around)£50 for the court case.£150 for your time processing the court claim and 8% per day interest on everything outstanding.
This is the legal way of doing things and might show him you mean business and are not going away.Welcome trading standards as I think they will side with you,get in contact with them yourself even.
The problem is I bet he does this with everyone that does work for him,maybe his daughter is a solicitor and I bet he knows the law backwards,he'll probably know that if you go to court it'll take anywhere between 4-8 months to sort out.
I know a builder who had a similar problem,trading standards bought in a building inspecter who said the job was faultless and in the end the builder only got £11,000 back out of the £18,000 and it cost him over £3,000 insolicitors fees.
He did this the correct way through the courts and look what good it did him.
Try the letter and if it doesn't work after a week scratch his car BADLY so it causes thousands of pounds of damage,next week put a window through and keep doing things till he pays up,but never mention anything about it to anyone not even saying to him something nice like "Shame about your car!"He's clever enough to know its you so he'd sooner pay for the tiling knowing that it'll cost him more in the long run.
I'm sick of hearing about tradesmen being ripped off by idiots that are trying to pull a fast one,its as bad as stealing in my book.
Don't be pushed around,stick up for yourself and if the legal route doesn't pay off try my other way.I can guarentee its much more effective
tilersforums.com take no responsibility for these suggestions lol.
This is the legal way of doing things and might show him you mean business and are not going away.Welcome trading standards as I think they will side with you,get in contact with them yourself even.
The problem is I bet he does this with everyone that does work for him,maybe his daughter is a solicitor and I bet he knows the law backwards,he'll probably know that if you go to court it'll take anywhere between 4-8 months to sort out.
I know a builder who had a similar problem,trading standards bought in a building inspecter who said the job was faultless and in the end the builder only got £11,000 back out of the £18,000 and it cost him over £3,000 insolicitors fees.
He did this the correct way through the courts and look what good it did him.
Try the letter and if it doesn't work after a week scratch his car BADLY so it causes thousands of pounds of damage,next week put a window through and keep doing things till he pays up,but never mention anything about it to anyone not even saying to him something nice like "Shame about your car!"He's clever enough to know its you so he'd sooner pay for the tiling knowing that it'll cost him more in the long run.
I'm sick of hearing about tradesmen being ripped off by idiots that are trying to pull a fast one,its as bad as stealing in my book.
Don't be pushed around,stick up for yourself and if the legal route doesn't pay off try my other way.I can guarentee its much more effective
tilersforums.com take no responsibility for these suggestions lol.
V
Varley
P
pjtiler
your never going to win with this arsehole mate
get back in there by fair meens or foul
tell the pillox you need to remove some tiles
strip the lot off
then say your booked up till the end of the year
and youll be back to finnish the job in the new year
get back in there by fair meens or foul
tell the pillox you need to remove some tiles
strip the lot off
then say your booked up till the end of the year
and youll be back to finnish the job in the new year
A
alex1963
at some point in time we all get the customer from hell ,dealing with them usually involves heaps of stress. if you know another qualified tiler ,take them with you to the meeting or get them to inspect the job independently as this can help smooth things over with the customer, but be prepared to be critisised if the job isnt up to scratch! dont even think about ripping of tiles or snotting the bloke - you will end up in court and never get paid. be cool and be patient
every tradesman i know has at some point been done for money ,its a risk you carry when your self employed,a plasterer mate just lost $100000 due to builders going broke and i reckon i have lost about $20000 over the last 10 years
every tradesman i know has at some point been done for money ,its a risk you carry when your self employed,a plasterer mate just lost $100000 due to builders going broke and i reckon i have lost about $20000 over the last 10 years
D
Droopy
I've been self employed for around 15 years and I have never been done for a single penny. <Touch wood>
A couple have tried, but changed their minds pretty damn fast.
G
Grace'sDad
J
JIMBOB187
The customer in question went into Topps today and asked loads of questions about BS and tolerance, I'm pleased to say the boy did me proud and luckily really knows his stuff. My solicitor (old customer
) informed me that I can remove the tiles to take bqack my adhesive aslong as I don't damage his property, however if he asked me to leave his property I must do so immediately or be charged with trespass.
I am seeing the customer next Monday at 6.30pm as the cheeky old so and so has gone away for a week WITH MY MONEY, I gaurantee I will be getting paid on Monday! Will let you all know.
) informed me that I can remove the tiles to take bqack my adhesive aslong as I don't damage his property, however if he asked me to leave his property I must do so immediately or be charged with trespass.I am seeing the customer next Monday at 6.30pm as the cheeky old so and so has gone away for a week WITH MY MONEY, I gaurantee I will be getting paid on Monday! Will let you all know.
