3439 Oh what a fool I am a woman and alone

Nightmare of a builder could happen anywhere I hope:p .
Got a local builder to do some work gave me a preventivo which I know is only and estimate for the job paid in full like a fool (too trusting) then he stopped work for 3 weeks and brought me another preventivo for another 8,000 euros to finish the job it amazed me charged me for labour at 22 euros an [B]hour[/B] and charged me 10 euros [B]per sqm [/B] for Sanding down ceilings My electricity and I bought the sand paper Am I stupid? or does this mean he wants me to pay twice Another example on the bill Tiling [B]I bought the tiles & adhesive [/B]and he charges and hourly rate of 22 euros and hour for the work and 50 euros per sqm for laying them now he wont finish the job until I pay him another 8,000 euros. The original preventivo was for 5,000 euros Now my walls are half chopped out for electric and the house is full of holes.
I feel like I am dreaming I have refused to pay this and he wont finish until I do. I am an honest person and have never not paid a bill in my life I asked for a fatura and he brought a [B]lawyer[/B] to my house I didnt want to laugh because he was a really nice man but when he said in English [B]" I am the Law" [/B]in an accent like inspector clusso I couldnt help myself I Explained the situation and he shocked me when he said in English " It was a big big mistake to use this builder and he was sorry for what is happening" he understood completely and said he would be in touch Oh what joy I am having has anyone else had any bad experiences like this I hope not. I did not sign anything but I did pay him by cheque and not cash thank god no vat was added to the bill either which I thought they had to pay any ideas of what I do next would be appriciated. If I wasnt laughing Id be crying

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/29/2006 - 04:57

Sorry to hear about this Kym and no you're not stupid, just too trusting. The same could happen in the UK, although you have to ask yourself would you employ a tradesman to do some fairly major work without recommendation or knowledge of his credentials? Probably not. Anyway, that's by the by, you need to get this sorted out.

If you happen to be in the same region as us (Abruzzo), I have some friends who are very influential in the local commune who might be able to sort this shark out.

Any other work you plan to do, employ someone who will oversea it for you and ensure that all estimates are verified and not open to the sort of shennanigins this stronzo is up to. Makes me so mad :mad:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/29/2006 - 05:22

I am up in the hills in a tiny place near Bardi about 1 hour away from parma. Youll find a little spot on the map
I have decided not to pay him anymore money and dont want him to complete the work incase he doesn't do it right. My only fear is he may come and take down the chimney from the stuffa while I am out or a sleep As he is asking for payment for that as well 1,000 euros funny thing is when he brought inspector clusso he left his bills here and the tube cost him 600 euros from the builders merchants (I know its common to add a little on which you would not expect but 400 euros he must be joking me.
Oh what a joy! On a happy note my mum came to visit me in Italy from lanzarote about 4 weeks ago and she loved it that much has now decided to put her house up for sale on the island and move here ANYONE FANCY buying a 2 bedroomed in Lanzarote she needs to sell to buy near me
ps He was recommended by the immobilaire

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/29/2006 - 05:26

Oh, way up north. Sorry I can't help you. It'll be nice to have your mum there!

Good luck with everything.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/29/2006 - 06:15

Go to the Guadia di Finanza in your area and show them the preventivi. They will step in and check out the guy. If he is not accounting for all funds, asking for cash payments, etc., he will get in trouble and then your troubles will be over.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/29/2006 - 08:13

Very unlikely to work. The [I]preventivi[/I] will turn out not to be official, legally enforcable [I]preventivi[/I], or he'll have sorted things out with the [I]fisco [/I]before, or they'll get together and decide it's best to string you along for a few years until you decide you can't stand it any more and give up. Cut your losses now.

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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/29/2006 - 08:40

is the preventivi legally official it was on a plain piece of paper with no name of the builder no nothing just a list of jobs and a price How is it made official.
If he has not completed the jobs on the list and I have paid him for that job in full But not paid him for a job he has completed where do I stand. The job unpaid for He has put down it took him 243 hours to fit a stuffa and sand ceilings which took him 6.5 days @ 7hrs a day where do I stand ?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/29/2006 - 08:45

You really need professional help, I can only advise you to speak to a solicitor, try contacting [url]www.giambronelaw.co.uk[/url] for advice if you do not have a trustworthy local contact.
Good Luck.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 04/29/2006 - 08:54

[QUOTE=kyminitaly] is the preventivi legally official it was on a plain piece of paper with no name of the builder no nothing just a list of jobs and a price How is it made official.[/QUOTE]

I very much doubt that it is official, but even if it is, if you take him to court the authorities will be on his side. That's Italy.

[QUOTE=kyminitaly]If he has not completed the jobs on the list and I have paid him for that job in full But not paid him for a job he has completed where do I stand. The job unpaid for He has put down it took him 243 hours to fit a stuffa and sand ceilings which took him 6.5 days @ 7hrs a day where do I stand ? [/QUOTE]

See above for the legality of the whole thing. (If it's illegal, and you signed your name on it, if you go to court you may be in trouble - they'll suggest as much, anyway) He's obviously ripping you off and has been from the start. As I said, that's Italy, you haven't got a hope, and it's best to forget it.

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