Rogue builder

Discussion in 'Builders' Talk' started by Mitchum77, Jul 7, 2021.

  1. Mitchum77

    Mitchum77 New Member

    Hi everyone,

    My mum needed her roof done asap and I was away so we contracted someone from Checkatrade to do the works.

    It all checked out, references, reviews etc so we had drafted an agreement and paid that guy £8000 as deposit for materials etc.

    This happened 4 weeks ago, since then he has vanished and no trace of him. Went to his last known adress and I have been told he permanently moved to Poland.

    Is there any real chance of recovering anything and is it worth to chase him there?

    cheers
     
  2. Jord86

    Jord86 Screwfix Select

    This is quite incredible, have you informed Checkatrade?
     
  3. Mitchum77

    Mitchum77 New Member

    Yes, they have suspended his account and everything but they advised that if he left the country its very unlikely I can do anything.

    I have paid via bank transfer but I am not sure that helps in any way. He is not in the UK anymore as far as I know.
     
  4. jonathanc

    jonathanc Guest

    exactly who did you pay? the builder personally or a UK based company. if the latter you might have a chance. if the former then trying to chase a debt internationally is not easy. was payment via credit card or bank transfre?
     
  5. Mitchum77

    Mitchum77 New Member

    I have paid via bank transfer straight to the builder’s bank account.

    I have been in touch with the bank and they have suspended his account - my bank got in touch with his - but all his funds were withdrawn.
     
  6. jonathanc

    jonathanc Guest

    i presume his personal bank account? i would also guess he's got no assets left in the UK (car/van/house). in which case looks like its going to be hard/impossible to recover
     
  7. Jord86

    Jord86 Screwfix Select

    As JonathanC asked, what form of assets or not does or did he own, company, vehicles, premises etc?
     
  8. Mitchum77

    Mitchum77 New Member

    Hi and thanks for the reply,

    Unfortunately I do no possess this information but I have been told he sent most of his stuff back to his country.

    I have no idea about house - i assume he rented - so not sure if he has any assets.
     
  9. Jord86

    Jord86 Screwfix Select

    :confused: You really need to move fast, dig up all the dirt and investigate whether taking him through the courts will yield anything.
     
  10. FlyByNight

    FlyByNight Screwfix Select

    Technically it is theft and the police informed.

    Can you find any forwarding details - or can your bank?
     
  11. Mitchum77

    Mitchum77 New Member

    i have full name and an adress.

    however im not sure police can arrest him outside UK.
    I have been told by friends I should wait for his return in Uk
     
  12. FlyByNight

    FlyByNight Screwfix Select


    UK police cannot, but they can put a case to Polish Police and then have him extradited.

    Will he ever return to teh UK? And if so, the police need to know everything now and can then be tipped off when he does come back.
     
  13. Mitchum77

    Mitchum77 New Member


    I don’t know if he will return; and in regards to extradition, I haven’t inquired yet but I will - even though it’s basically theft, most people told me that the chances are very slim.
     
  14. masterdiy

    masterdiy Screwfix Select

    Is there anyway that Check-at-rade could be held partially responsible?
    Or don't they check the trades people out?
    Need a banner somewhere to stop this sort of thing. :mad:
     
  15. jonathanc

    jonathanc Guest

    i think it will be viewed as breach of contract and a civil rather than criminal matter.
     

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