I am not one to normally NAME and SHAME but after hearing this so called tradesman has taken a significant deposit, ripped up the old decking and walked off the job on an elderly lady as well as doing myself over I am keen to protect others from making the same mistake.
I initially got a quote from Stuart on the 4th of June. He was to level the area, remove the rubble, build a short area of fence and deck the end of my garden. I paid for materials at a cost of £1500. He was due to start work on the 11th of June. This work was delayed with various excuses such as injury, illness and stock not being available. He rocked up mid June and knocked the farmers fence down to get access and built the small fence. Still no rubble or levelling was carried out at this point.
He said the materials for the job were still out of stock and would not be in until early June. I have since found out this was not the case as the composite decking company confirmed with me they get regular deliveries. Meanwhile I was left with the fencing down at the back onto the field which allowed for livestock to enter my garden and meant I couldn't free range my hens or allow my dog and child to play as they could exit the garden and become injured on the barbwire strewn along the back.
On the 3rd of July he built the subframes he spent literally 2 hours at my property and complained continually it was too hot to work and mentioned to my builders he was going to "sack it off today" This was a month after agreeing to do the work.I messaged him on 9th chasing completion of the job and he said he was "waiting on stragglers to pay" I queried where my money was to no reply... I had a friend ring him on the 10th and he was asking for more money. I was at this point not willing to pay the remaining £1500.
On the 19th he sent me a message saying he would give me his passport, logbook and driving license as he had not been paid by a customer. I felt sorry for him and agreed to pay the rest of the funds to get the job finished once and for all. The decking was to arrive on the 25th of July. He started on this on 26th.
I returned from a day out with my child to discover substandard work and that he had not levelled the land leaving the decking so high i could stand on it and the top of my neighbours fence was at my waist. My child could easily fall over the fence and my dog jump it. I raised this with Stuart and he wanted more funds to resolve. I advised this is not acceptable and he has not done the work as agreed he should have levelled the land not built on top of it.
The fence was still left insecure at the back rubbish was strewn underneath. He used my flags to put posts on and hadn't used any concrete to secure frame posts. At this point I
sought advise off trading standards and they said to allow him to resolve. I mentioned all my concerns to Stuart and he said he would sort it. He returned on 31st of July. 7 weeks after work SHOULD have started. He then sunk the front posts in concrete but underneath you could clearly see the decking balanced on bits of off cuts and rubbish. He then bailed on the job. Said he was on dole, van was to he repossessed and he would not be completing the job. Leaving me with half finished decking, rubble and further costs. He is an absolute joke of a trader! AVOID!! read more
