My contractor walked off the job halfway through — what can I do?
I paid a deposit and two stage payments for a kitchen extension. The builder stopped turning up three weeks ago and will not answer calls. What are my options?
1 lawyer answer
First, gather your contract, quotes, payment records, messages and dated photos of the work done so far. Then send a written notice asking the contractor to return and finish by a specific date, stating that you may treat the contract as ended and hire someone else if they do not.
If they do not respond, you may be able to recover the extra cost of finishing the work and any overpayment. Get an independent assessment of the work completed and its quality before a new builder starts.
Also check whether the contractor belongs to a trade body or offered an insurance-backed guarantee, which can provide additional protection.
This is general information, not legal advice — speak to a licensed lawyer about your situation.
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