A builder took my deposit and disappeared, what can I do?

Question

I paid a builder a deposit for work on my house and now he has stopped replying and has not started the job. I feel scammed. How do I try to get my money back?

Liam Davis · Accepted Answer

This is frustrating, but you have several possible routes. Taking a deposit and then failing to do the work or return the money is likely to be a breach of your contract with the builder, and possibly worse if it was deliberate. Your options partly depend on how you paid. If you paid the deposit on a credit card and it was over 100 pounds, you may be able to claim the amount back from your card provider under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, which makes the card company jointly responsible with the trader; some debit card payments can be challenged through a separate chargeback process too. Gather all your evidence now, including the quote, any contract or messages, proof of the payment, and your attempts to contact him, because you will need it whichever route you take.

Matthew Allen · Answer

Alongside a card claim, you can send a formal letter demanding return of the deposit within a set time, and if that fails you can bring a claim in the small claims court for a sum of this kind, which is designed to be used without a lawyer. It is also worth reporting the builder to Trading Standards, and checking whether he trades as a company that is still active, as that affects how you enforce any judgment. If it looks like deliberate fraud rather than a business that has simply failed, you can also report it to the authorities. This is general guidance rather than advice on your specific case.

A builder took my deposit and disappeared, what can I do?

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