Builder problems
Oct 27th 2017, 5:30 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
Builder problems
Hi everyone, we are new to the site and to the algarve, 9 months.
We came saw a house fell in love with the people and the area now we have a house that needed some attention. So we enlisted a builder from Albufeira to do the work, he looked around taking notes and measurements, then later sent an e-mail with a quote that we agreed on. He said the work would take 2 weeks. We were having a ground floor flat opened up. 4 weeks on and he's not finished, and hes also not coming anymore. This week eg, he sent 1 guy to fit some cables on monday, after 3 hours he left. Today(friday) he sent an e-mail to say he needs more money to do jobs that originally during his viewing, was supposed to be included. He has also changed the way doors open and for this he wants extra money. We have paid half of the original quote, so we are lost as to what we can do about these extra costs, and how we can get the work done. We have no water or electricity in the flat, before we mail him back we are looking for some sound advice. Thanks in advance.
We came saw a house fell in love with the people and the area now we have a house that needed some attention. So we enlisted a builder from Albufeira to do the work, he looked around taking notes and measurements, then later sent an e-mail with a quote that we agreed on. He said the work would take 2 weeks. We were having a ground floor flat opened up. 4 weeks on and he's not finished, and hes also not coming anymore. This week eg, he sent 1 guy to fit some cables on monday, after 3 hours he left. Today(friday) he sent an e-mail to say he needs more money to do jobs that originally during his viewing, was supposed to be included. He has also changed the way doors open and for this he wants extra money. We have paid half of the original quote, so we are lost as to what we can do about these extra costs, and how we can get the work done. We have no water or electricity in the flat, before we mail him back we are looking for some sound advice. Thanks in advance.
Oct 27th 2017, 7:36 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 269
Re: Builder problems
Hi everyone, we are new to the site and to the algarve, 9 months.
We came saw a house fell in love with the people and the area now we have a house that needed some attention. So we enlisted a builder from Albufeira to do the work, he looked around taking notes and measurements, then later sent an e-mail with a quote that we agreed on. He said the work would take 2 weeks. We were having a ground floor flat opened up. 4 weeks on and he's not finished, and hes also not coming anymore. This week eg, he sent 1 guy to fit some cables on monday, after 3 hours he left. Today(friday) he sent an e-mail to say he needs more money to do jobs that originally during his viewing, was supposed to be included. He has also changed the way doors open and for this he wants extra money. We have paid half of the original quote, so we are lost as to what we can do about these extra costs, and how we can get the work done. We have no water or electricity in the flat, before we mail him back we are looking for some sound advice. Thanks in advance.
We came saw a house fell in love with the people and the area now we have a house that needed some attention. So we enlisted a builder from Albufeira to do the work, he looked around taking notes and measurements, then later sent an e-mail with a quote that we agreed on. He said the work would take 2 weeks. We were having a ground floor flat opened up. 4 weeks on and he's not finished, and hes also not coming anymore. This week eg, he sent 1 guy to fit some cables on monday, after 3 hours he left. Today(friday) he sent an e-mail to say he needs more money to do jobs that originally during his viewing, was supposed to be included. He has also changed the way doors open and for this he wants extra money. We have paid half of the original quote, so we are lost as to what we can do about these extra costs, and how we can get the work done. We have no water or electricity in the flat, before we mail him back we are looking for some sound advice. Thanks in advance.
Oct 27th 2017, 9:50 pm
#3
Resident Cynic
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Suffolk,UK; Alentejo, Portugal
Posts: 15,060
Re: Builder problems
Do you have a contract with him? If not, I'd do as advised by nogard - in Ireland we say that if a dog bites me onece it's his fault, but if he bites me twice, it's mine!
If you do have any form of contract, it's more tricky. Firstly go to the local Julgados de Paz - they are a legal advice service - and see what they say. Be careful, because contract law in Portugal is a pig and seems to work in the conman's favour (I'm in tribunal with one, not bitter at all!).
If you do have any form of contract, it's more tricky. Firstly go to the local Julgados de Paz - they are a legal advice service - and see what they say. Be careful, because contract law in Portugal is a pig and seems to work in the conman's favour (I'm in tribunal with one, not bitter at all!).
Oct 28th 2017, 7:12 am
#4
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 400
Re: Builder problems
Nothing new!
Old story!
Moral is - Get a reputable builder recommended by someone who speaks Portuguese well!
Old story!
Moral is - Get a reputable builder recommended by someone who speaks Portuguese well!
Oct 28th 2017, 1:04 pm
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,038
Re: Builder problems
Was that an agreed price for the work, or an estimate of the cost?
Has there been other work added on [the door change you mentioned]?
I would get another builder or expert in to advise you as to whether you're paying too much for the actual work done so far. then you'll know whether you wan to can your builder.
Has there been other work added on [the door change you mentioned]?
I would get another builder or expert in to advise you as to whether you're paying too much for the actual work done so far. then you'll know whether you wan to can your builder.
