Over two weeks ago I had a job done by a local builder who I found on NextDoor. He didn't turn up to give me a quote when her said he would, but said that he had had to go to hospital as he had broken a rib. He did the quote (for removing a fireplace, plastering over and taking rubbish away) on the basis of photos that I took.
The job was done, except for the removal of the rubbish (bricks, old plaster etc.), which was left outside my house on the pavement. Unfortunately I was silly enough to feel sorry for him with the ribs and pleading poverty etc., and agreed to pay him straight away. I did, by bank transfer, but my bank messed up with their system of double checking that it was safe. They checked with me and they said it had gone through, but it ended up not going through for several days.
All the time he was telling me he couldn't afford to clear the rubble until it was paid, and was ill at home, not able to pay his workers, his car had broken down. I felt sorry for him and so kept trying to get the payment through, and felt guilty about the delay!
But now here I am with a pile of bricks and rubble on the pavement, and my neighbours, understandably, are angry! He promised to do it on Friday, didn't; then when I contacted today said he would do it today. I had said that if it didn't get done I would put a comment on his business page on NextDoor. I did this, and now he is refusing to do it at all!
I realise I was extremely silly to pay before it was done; does anyone have any advice (apart from not to be so silly next time!)
