We are often consulted by clients who have difficulties with their builders in relation to the time and delay taken on the project and over billing.  We work closely with architects, surveyors, project managers and interior designers in order to prepare schedule of works, timelines, costings and party wall agreements.  We advise on properly obtaining building regulation approval and ensure that clients are advised on the importance of obtaining local authority/council planning consent for building works, building regulation approval and gas and electricity safety certificates.  

We regularly advise clients on making counterclaims against their builders for consequential losses as a result of delay, alternative accommodation costs and other consequential losses which may follow.  We are well placed to undergo forceful negotiations with builders and demand that overpayments for the project be repaid, failing which we may wish to take legal action against them.  We work closely with surveyors when faced with builders’ claims for “additional works” in seeking to negotiate these.  We also pursue claims against builders for negligent works or works carried out to a shoddy, sub-standard nature and put forward claims for remedial works after placing a figure on this by instructing a new set of builders to advise on completion costs and remedial work costs whilst working closely with a building chartered surveyor.

We advise clients on pursuing builders individually as opposed to their trading companies as building companies are often what is known as shell companies, without funds to pay or repay sums due to our homeowner clients.

Planning Disputes

We further advise on local authority planning appeals and work closely with architects and building planning barristers in persuading local councils to review planning decisions which often go to an appeal.