Legal claim on Builder

[MarionBruce]

I contracted a local Builder last summer to repair the roof to my Naya, but if anything they made the leak worse and have refused to come back and rectify the problem. I paid 600 Euros for this to be done and don't think that it is unreasonable for them to come back and do the work that I paid for them to do. Is there any action that I can threaten them with before I go as far as taking some kind of legal action against them ?

[MitchTheBuilder]

Was your builder working for you legally ?

[MarionBruce]

Was your builder working for you legally ?

I'm not sure what you mean ? How can I check this ?

[MitchTheBuilder]

Was your builder an SL Company or Autonomo ? Did he provide you with a written quote or estimate, or invoice when the job was completed ? - In other words does he pay his taxes, or does he work in teh black and therefore illegally ?

[MarionBruce]

The builder never discussed method of payment until after he had completed the work, and then asked for cash. Is this a problem ?

[MitchTheBuilder]

The builder never discussed method of payment until after he had completed the work, and then asked for cash. Is this a problem ?

Then the builder is not paying his taxes and is working illegally. It is as much your responsibility (in the eyes of the law) NOT to employ such a contractor, as it is the builder himself, so by taking any legal action you would be making yourself liable for prosecution aswell.

[Tyler]

So what you are basically saying is that Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law ? : If a householder engages the services of a tradesman working in the black, they are basically on their own ?

[MitchTheBuilder]

So what you are basically saying is that Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law ? : If a householder engages the services of a tradesman working in the black, they are basically on their own ?

Yes.
Under these circumstances the Householder is just as guilty of breaking the law as the 'tradesman'. Businesses like this who trade legally will of course cost a little more, because they have to pay taxes, insurance, NI contributions and licences etc... but at least the householder can draw a little peace of mind that they are at least accountable.

Anyone engaging a tradesman working 'in the black' should be aware that (as with so many things in life) you get what you pay for !