When you have a dispute with someone which escalates into legal proceedings your solicitor will often advise you that you should consider alternative dispute resolution . Put simply, this means to consider taking steps to resolve the dispute without it...
Building disputes can be incredibly acrimonious and unfortunately the relationship between the parties can become so embroiled that the builder simply “downs their tools” and walk off site, refusing to ever to return.In such a situation a homeowner is left in a vulnerable position having paid (more often than not) a considerable sum to a builder but a considerable amount of work is still outstanding on their project before it is completed.
There may be various reasons why a builder may decide to refuse to carry out any further works and every case will need to be looked at on its own facts to determine whether the builder has acted in repudiatory breach of contract and left the site without lawful excuse.
An absolute refusal to carry out the building works or abandonment of the works before it is substantially completed can be a repudiation of the contract on behalf of a building contractor.However, it will be important to determine whether the builder has any lawful excuse for doing so.