bertie Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 Our house was built about 3 years ago by a well known builder in our department (11) and we are very pleased with it. After 18 months some tiles around the terrace had cracked and he agreed to replace them. As it was Autumn I suggested he waited until Spring giving the ground time to settle. He agreed but he didn't return. By then we had also noticed that the gates posts moved with the seasons (they are built on clay) which meant we cannot lock the gates when we are not there as they overlap or don't meet. He told our estate agent that he had not put in good enough foundations and would re-build them with connecting foundations between the two posts.Despite our estate agent repeatedly asking him no work has been done. We sent him an e-mail and had no reply. We sent him another asking for a meeting at our house when we were there at easter and he agreed. He was very charming (which he always is) and said the work would be started the next week. It wasn't and still hasn't. We have sent another e-mail with no response.Any suggestions as to what we do next? I think all work is meant to be guarranteed for 10 years isn't it?I am going to our house next week for 2 weeks so I could see him then but I am not sure what good it would do as he keeps promising but not delivering. My french is only at GCSE level so I am easily lost in conversations!Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opel Fruit<P><BR>Opel Fruit, Dept. 53<P> Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 Artisan tardiness (or apathy) is rife and somewhat cultural.We pay a visit to their homes....as do the French who want the work finishing/starting/correcting.That's the way - -faxes/letters and emails get ignored. A home visit instils a sense of urgency and determination.And it works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie* Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 We are having exactly the same problems with our builder. Is your builder part of a bigger franchise? We got fed up waiting for empty promises and have sent our builder a recorded delivery letter, which hasn't had the desired effect. perhaps you could contact me on my private email ( if its working) and we can compare / discuss tactics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertie Posted June 20, 2005 Author Share Posted June 20, 2005 Thanks Opel Fruit, I will pay a visit to his office with a well prepared message!Charlie - have sent you a pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monika Posted June 20, 2005 Share Posted June 20, 2005 We are also suffering, only our house is not even built yet (barn renovation with small extension), we had so many start dates from our Project Manager and nothing has happened (I suppose his hands are tied as well, he is English and the builders are French) and we just do not believe anything anymore. We just hope that once on site they don't leave it all the time! Monika (61) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dordogne Granny Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 Hi there, If you are not sepaking enough french, ask your insurer to give him a call. Most often you have an option "recours propriétaire" indicated in your household insurance to help you to solve this kind of problems. Chin up!Sabine www.en-toutes-saisons.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobdude Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 It's probably too late/not relevant for some of you, but our French estate agent told us to with-hold 10% of the cost of the work for 12 months, to make sure all the work was satisfactory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Lurcher, I would not do that. The builder could take you to court for non payment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monika Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 [quote]Lurcher, I would not do that. The builder could take you to court for non payment.[/quote]and perhaps not a wise move in case he withholds the guarantee? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audois Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 Your first port of call will obviously be his office. From there I would keep on at him from the UK or use someone local to do it for you. Do you have the bill? You have recourse via that ... PM me if you want further help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobdude Posted June 28, 2005 Share Posted June 28, 2005 We didn't actually have any problems with our builder - he came straight away when we asked him to come back to check something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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