question about work.

[darrenpenny]

I recently laid a laminate floor for a customer. After it was laid she said she was not happy with it, I went back twice to put things correct, but she is still not happy with it. She bought all materials except for some skirting board and beading, which i paid for.

She is refusing to pay me for laying it and has now sent a letter stating she is not happy with the flooring, and unless i pay her �1000 to have the floor taken up, new flooring purchased and to for someone else to lay it and also she also wants �250 compensation for herself. On top of this, she says that she wants a hammer returned to her that was taken by me (which is a lie). She says that she will take me to a small claims court for the money. I am a small firm and cant afford to be taken to court. I will agree to paying for new flooring if she is truly not happy with it, but how do I stand otherwise. Please help me if you can.

[rojash]

It costs very little to go to the small claims court. For the sake of your reputation (and the principle) I would get in first and sue her for the money she owes.

[undercovers]

what is she unhappy about - is it the floor itself or your work? From your question it would appear that she chose the flooring and paid for it and you merely fitted it, if there is nothing technically wrong with the job you did and she is just not happy with the look of the floor she bought then she clearly has no claim against you (as if anyone else had done it she still wouldn't have been happy) - do you have any pics of the workmanship, could you get some?

Regarding the small claims court, it can be very quick and easy but regarding the compensation she could expect even if you had done a bad job fitting it - she would be compensated for the cost of the actual flooring damaged (put in badly) and that is all, she wouldn't get any more than it would cost to put her back in the financial position she was before you did the job... in this case it doesn't sound like you have done anything wrong, if you are sure the job is up to scratch take her to small claims court for nonpayment - she sounds like she is trying to con you.

good luck - be careful what you say to her and think about getting a little legal advice, first half an hour is free in many firms, a letters from solicitors can often get a job done without any need to go to court (they will only charge a small fee for sending a letter to people you are having trouble with)

[andy-hughes]

Excellent advice from undercovers, covering all the main points.

This lady is bluffing, so call her bluff.

Send her a leter by Registered Post - so she can't deny she has received it. In your letter, state the dates and times you worked, the costs paid by her, and you, and the attempts you have made to correct her perceived problems - these can be simply worded bullet points.

Conclude by saying you are disappointed by her appraoch to the matter of your payment, and in view of your reasonable efforts to correct the difficulties, you think it only right and proper that she pays for your time and skill. Finally, advise that you look forward to receiving payment in full within seven days of the recceipt of the letter, or you will place the matter in the hands of your solicitor.

That should do the trick. This woman is a chancer, and she hasn't got a legal leg to stand on, so fight fire with fire, and if she doesn't pay, get a solicitor's letter sent advising her you'll see her in court.

[Loosehead]

All good advice above. First though go rround and get her to explain what is wrong and take lots of pictures under the guise of some excuse or other then you have pics of your work for evidence. Then take the advice above, she just doesn't want to pay, there are people like that. When you bill her and then threaten her with action she'll pay up.

[joko]

tell her you will be getting a neutral independant adjudicator in to assess your work and decide if she has a case.

that should get her worried

but take pics first as she could easily wreck your work

offer to take the floor up yourself - it surely won't be hard and if the wood pieces are undamaged she cannot demand new ones - if you are 'buying ew ones then the old ones are yours so take them away, package them up and give them back.

[Mortartube]

Just out of interest. What exactly does she claim is wrong with it?

[Catso]

If you feel you've done an acceptable job, then go to court and defend your workmanship and reputation. By not doing so, you're almost admitting your work wasn't up to standard.

SCC isn't a big deal, it's very informal.

As you describe it, sounds more like she doesn't like it now it's down and is trying to get you to take it up for free!

[kipchik]

She's got the floor down,decided she don't like it and sees a way to get YOU to pay for another,,,,,like the above say,,,,,,,bluff HER!

[QueenOfSheba]

What a witch (But spelt with a "b"!)

I truly hope you take her to the cleaners - I hate people thinking they're smartasses and trying to get one over one you, completely injustifiedly too, by the sounds of things.

Good luck DP,

QoS

[bubblebubble]

I am self employed,and know that reputation is important-you would not be writing here if your work was not up to standard. she is a scammer...and i know of someone similar...follow everyones excellent advice and go for it! Good Luck!