Recover money from a builder

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Snapkop

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Not sure if this is thread is in the right place

I have a builder that walked out on me and still owes me around R35000. He admits to owing me the money but is not paying up. What will be the best way to recoup my money?

I have never been in a situation like this before. Is it worth taking legal action? Any other way recouping the money?
 
Is he associated to any building association e.g. master builders? You could take it up with them.
 
Our lawyers tend to suggest full scale legal action only when the owed amount nears eg. R100 000. But this differs from case to case of course. The problem with recovering smaller amounts is the amount of legal fees one tends to rack up in a short period of time without even trying. But I do not have the hard figures in front of me right now so I cannot give any examples.

If you are willing to only recover ~R12000 the small claims court might be a cheap legal alternative.
 
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I thought it might be to expensive. I might just go buy a sledgehammer.

What is the process to take someone to small claims court?
 
Snapkop said:
I thought it might be to expensive. I might just go buy a sledgehammer.

What is the process to take someone to small claims court?
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Not sure, but the maximum you can claim via the small claims court is R13000 (up from last year's R12000).
 
I hate the fact that idiots like this builder can get away with stealing R35000 because sorting it out in court is too expensive.
 
I know I was willing to pay a large deposit based on a very good reference from a close friend. He obviously took a bad turn and disappointed me and my friend. Expensive school fees!! Will never do it again.
 
I know I was willing to pay a large deposit based on a very good reference from a close friend. He obviously took a bad turn and disappointed me and my friend. Expensive school fees!! Will never do it again.
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Yip, have also had bad experiences with builders, don't trust any of them and never ever pay them in full.

These days every Tom, Petrus and Sipho is a "builder" as well.
They have got to be one of the dodgiest groups of people in this country.
 
Snapkop said:
Not sure if this is thread is in the right place

I have a builder that walked out on me and still owes me around R35000. He admits to owing me the money but is not paying up. What will be the best way to recoup my money?

I have never been in a situation like this before. Is it worth taking legal action? Any other way recouping the money?
Click to expand...

Just find a attorney that will help you on a risk basis ie you pay the actual expenses like postage and sheriff fees. Sometimes it can be a long process but not as expensive as you might think and if succesfull the person owing monies are liable for all legal costs.

Let me know if you need help.
 
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