Scam building contractor?

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Nomfundo07

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Greetings members.

I am Nomfundo, i feel like i have been scammed. I needed to build a house but did not have money to have it built from scratch to the roof qll at once, so i found a building contractor that builds houses for people on credit, signed a contract with them and i gave the deposit in April 2024. The company started on 8 May 2024, did the foundation which they finished 23 May 2024. Since then they have never returned, i paid May installment and June installment. When contacting them, they are now telling me that they did inform me that they take breaks when no such was mentioned when the contract was signed When i asked them what breaks they were talking about, they started telling me lots of stories that were not mentioned previously. This was the first time i signed a contract with anyone for anything and i do not know of what to look out for. I feel like i have been scammed...

I just need advice as to what is it that i can do, i am so hurt but have no idea as to where to start or what to do.

Kindly advise.

Thank you 1000038317.jpg
 
If they didn't come back, why did you pay more?
 
Why is there no timeline for work to be finished?
Somethings like foundations etc needs time to settle and not just immediately build on.
But still I think the problem is more that you sign contracts and give money where there is no timeline.

Also 700k for just a shell. No plumbing. electrical, ceiling, tiles, kitchen or any finishes? Those are all the expensive stuff that still need to be come?
 
Seems like a racket. I think the OP is being ripped off big time. At that cost it should include all the trimmings and not just a shell.
 
Does look like potential kek contract.

If you die someone else must continue paying...

That's not how it works...
 
Get wize... Call Legal Wise. Or a public law aid organization if you can't afford one.

https://legal-aid.co.za/
We provide professional legal advice and representation to those who can’t afford it

Stop/reverse all payments.

Hope that they are not going to come after you with violence, as these scammers can get if you don't pay them for no work done.
 
I see, i should have never signed this contract without seeking advice first Is it safe for me to cancel the contract with them now? How do i go about doing that? I don't even afford a lawyer
 
Nomfundo07 said:
I see, i should have never signed this contract without seeking advice first Is it safe for me to cancel the contract with them now? How do i go about doing that? I don't even afford a lawyer
Click to expand...
1. Just stop paying them, and report them to the SAPS. Keep going 10 times saying they "stole your money".

2. There's also the small claims court (to get SOMETHING back)

3. Report them to the building council and municipality

4. Get your bank to reverse the debit orders saying they are fraudulent. The onus is on the contractor to prove otherwise - and trust me he is not coming to the bank. Quickly, before he sees this post and withdraws the money.

5. Tell everyone in your community who he is and what he's done. Mob justice FTW. (because good luck with Items 1 2 and 3)
 
bixt said:
1. Just stop paying them, and report them to the SAPS. Keep going 10 times saying they "stole your money".

2. There's also the small claims court (to get SOMETHING back)

3. Report them to the building council and municipality

4. Get your bank to reverse the debit orders saying they are fraudulent. The onus is on the contractor to prove otherwise - and trust me he is not coming to the bank. Quickly, before he sees this post and withdraws the money.

5. Tell everyone in your community who he is and what he's done. Mob justice FTW. (because good luck with Items 1 2 and 3)
Click to expand...
Ok

Now don't get me wrong I think that contract is kek etc.

But

The contractor hasn't vanished they took a break, maybe see how long the work is for etc. Foundations floors etc take about a month to cure

If they vanished different story if they back next week is what it is...
 
Also if they build as you pay you can't expect nonstop building whilst you take 5 years to get pay
 
Fair. We need more info.

Redacted copy of the contract would be a good place to start.
 
That entire document is fit for printing on red fabric and a pole attached to the side.

1. What's excluded is there. What's included is also typed but scratched out. So what's left???
2. More handwriting than typing. A small typo (that's initialled) is one thing, 3/4 of a document handwritten in 2024 is not.
3. Notwithstanding the above, It's around 10% of the size of a real contract (at a minimum). Excluding annextures such as approved building plans and architectural diagrams. Where are those?
4. Is the "builder" even registered with the NHBRC?
 
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