Lawyer referral - to sue negligent builders etc Post Reply

[Mama2]

Hi - we are currently in the throes of a building disaster. We hired builders through a marketing agency to do a straightforward loft conversion. We had to fire the builders because they turned out to be hugely incompetent and the work - which was meant to complete in 12 weeks - still wasn't complete after 10 months.

Our new new builders discovered that the old builders didn't follow our structural engineer's drawings (ie missed out on putting in steel beams) in addition to a number of other significant problems and Wandsworth building control won't pass the project without significant remedial work. Our structural engineer set out a remedial plan and the new builders are currently fixing it all at a HUGE expense - it's more than the cost of re-doing the entire project!

We'd like to sue the old builders, and consider a claim against the marketing agency - both of whom will have insurance. The old builders we've learnt, are in liquidation.
Please can you recommend a suitable lawyer!

[juliantenniscoach]

Hi I do know one local (non banking/city etc) lawyer, nice guy. I'll contact him to see if it's type of thing.

I wish you well, we had our loft down a while back and remedial work is still going on though not as severe as yours. Still an industry full of clowns.

[Muddlemoo]

Worth contacting Florence Brocklesbury at Bellevue Law. She's fantastic - http://www.bellevuelaw.co.uk

[davidgordon]

Hi , I am the lawyer that Julian above mentioned. sorry to hear the problems your having. Happy to have an initial conversation on a no commitment basis to find out a little more. You can check me/the firm out on http://www.dg-law.co.uk. By all means call me on 0845 634 6253 or email david.gordon@dg-law.co.uk. I'm around today until about 12pm otherwise early next week.

[Bellevue_Law]

Hello,

Thanks to Muddlemoo for the recommendation, and poor OP - that sounds like a nightmare for you!

I would advise you to start by checking whether you have legal expenses cover (for example as part of an insurance policy) which might fund some of your legal costs. In this case, your insurer is likely to want you to use one of their panel law firms, and there are pros and cons to this, but you should consider it at the outset.

I hope this helps and am also happy to have an initial chat without charge if you like.

All the best,

Florence
www.bellevuelaw.co.uk
020 8265 1110

[olive]

Sorry to hear your problem. From this small sample of respondents alone it is clear that there is rampant abuse and malpractice in the industry. We also went through a disastrous building project with a so-called “extension marketing company” (we use the term advisedly because they are neither an architect, builder, or engineering firm but they typically call themselves a specialist/expert of house extensions offering a full service). May be the same kind as yours.

We came to the conclusion that it is not worth pursuing the sub-contractor builder (Typically the builder was an amateur company more likely to dissolve than appear in court or settle) and should focus on the marketing company for rectifying defects.

A dispute in a building project is very difficult to resolve unless you prepared to go all the way to court. However if you paid the marketing company less than £30000 with a credit card, even as partial payment, you should look into Section 75 as the credit card company is treated as jointly liable and required to address your claim. The prevention is crucial. I posted another comment under the thread “'Plus Rooms, Build Team, More Space or My London Extension? ” and insights of other people’s experience are worth looking at for anyone thinking of a house extension.

[legalconsultant]

hello. So sorry to hear of your poor experience. I hope the remedial works are going well. I'd be happy to try to help. I am a solicitor (ex-City) specialising in construction and engineering disputes. I run a consultancy now, based BTC. I have posted on this site previously (search "legal consultant"), and assisted NV members. Do PM me. Best regards.

[jimisayo]

Gwyneth Barton of Fisher Meredith is based in Kennington. She is a Senior Associate there and specialises in Property Litigation and Dispute Resolution.

Fisher Meredith LLP | Blue Sky House | 405 Kennington Road | London SE11 4PT
T: 020 7091 2796 | F: 020 7091 2800
E: gwyneth.barton@fishermeredith.co.uk

All the best!

[Anandam]

Hi
I know exactly how you feel. We had a similar case and before that we had two London based solicitors who were completely incompetent and were doing more bad than good. Both firms always wanted so much money in advance and a least had to sell our house to pay them. Then I found http://www.applebys-law.co.uk/ graham balmford. His firm is specialised in negligence. With the other firm it went on for about 3 years and with Appleby he was done in about 6 months. Always in benefit of the client not their pockets. They are up north but that didn't matter as he came down to London quite often. I would definitely stay away from lay firms that ask you thousand of pounds in advance! We did it and they just want more and more. Good luck and stay strong!