Holding back payment for building work

[selfbuilder]

I have had concrete slabs laid between the ground and first floor of my self build house. The supplier wants �3100, the problem is that the slab was supposed to carry all upstairs walls in concrete blockwork. My builder told me to check with the company to make sure he was allowed to build the walls on the slab before he started building, I was told "verbally" by the company's engineer no. So I had to employ a carpenter to build stud work upstairs costing over �1000. Since that they have provided me with building control drawings stating that we could have built blockwork. Am I right to deduct the extra expense encurred from the slab supplier.

[The Builder]

Don't understand this I'm afraid - do you mean beam and block floors?

[selfbuilder]

Yes like beam and block, Only the slabs are about 1 meter wide 200mm thick concrete and span from wall to wall, prestressed reinforced with steel.

[The Builder]

Yep - I understand now. I'm not just saying this, but your builder was absolutely right to ask you to check. My guess would be that whoever gave you a verbal "no", is likely to deny it :o(

This will be down to the goodwill of the company - but, do discuss it with them before you withhold though. Easy to say now, but you should have the full specification in front of you in order to decide on block or timber partitions BEFORE starting.

If you can nail this gut who gave you the "no" then there should be some room for negotiation.
Good luck :o)

[The Builder]

Sorry - should be "this guy"

[selfbuilder]

Thanks, will probably try to meet in the middle.