I went
to the empty property that was to become Othello restaurant and met Jack Chiakli the
owner, to price the work
he required doing on the premises.
Monday, 17 October 2005
At
4:30pm, I returned
to the property to meet with Jack to discuss the work
he required doing on the premises.
Wednesday, 28 December 2005
I received a telephone call asking that I be at the premises for a meeting
regarding the work to be done.
So I cancelled a Christmas arrangement that had been made weeks before.
At 2:00pm, I
went to the property, which was still an empty shell and had recently been
plastered by a non-skilled plasterer (one of Jack's relatives)
and I was asked to start the work as soon as possible.
Friday, 30 December 2005
I
started work on the un-ready project, and gave Jack a breakdown of the work to
be carried out, requesting that each section be paid within 7 days of
completion.
The original work
was quoted for 20 days labour,
I worked on the premises 58 days.
Right up to the last day whilst I was
working on the project there was building, tiling, joinery, plumbing, glazing,
and even the electrician chasing out channels in the newly painted plaster for
sockets, light fittings, switches, and then moving them again because the owners
wanted them somewhere else, which I had to make good the damage
done during installation.
Whilst working on the project, we had several encounters with rats, and as I
control pests as a pastime, I was asked to help control the problem, so I took a
few traps, and caught numerous.
Whilst working on this project I gave quotes to other customers
Wednesday,
11 January 2006
I
gave 2 quotes
Thursday,
19 January 2006
I
gave 1 quote
Saturday, 21 January
2006
I
gave 2 quotes
Tuesday, 31 January 2006
I
gave 1 quote
Tuesday, 7 February 2006
I
gave 1 quote
Monday, 20 February 2006
I
gave 1 quote
Friday, 10 March 2006
I
gave 1 quote
I informed Jack that I had other jobs to do, and
he said that if I went to another job before his was finished, then I was not to
return, and I would not be paid.
This caused me to lose customers, business and
money.
Before the grand opening of the restaurant, they
had a private party, and caused damage to the painted walls (red wine and food)
which I was asked to remedy.
They made a big song and dance about the grand
opening, and said that people that had worked on the project would be invited.
A few days before the grand opening, I was asked
by 1 of the other tradesmen if I was attending the "invitation only" party, and
had I returned my invitation stating I would be present at the party.
This was news to me, as I hadn't even been given
an invitation.
I have made numerous attempts to recover the
amount outstanding since 24 March 2006, and have even informed him that I may
employ the services of a debt collector to recover the outstanding debt.
This project was
supposed to last 1 month, but due to many alterations and additions to the
project, by the owners, who
also run The Plazza, Halifax Bus Station, as it progressed it dragged on to
become 3 months.
The project was
finally completed on 23 March 2006
and the invoice was submitted on 24 March 2006.
I started this
project under the agreement that payment would be received within
7 days of
completion.
Payments I have received so far are:
14/01/06
£500.00
02/02/06
£500.00
22/02/06
£500.00
06/04/06
£1,000.00
this cheque bounced
causing bank charges of £280.00
28/07/06
£280.00
£1,020.00
is still outstanding on my invoice for this project.
Here's a breakdown of the actual work I did
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
I employed the services of a debt collection
agency to recover the outstanding invoiced amount.
Monday, 16 April 2007
I received an email from the debt collection
agency, stating that they had ignored the letters sent, and a personal visit
will be the next step.
Monday, 14 May, 2007
I received an email from the debt collection agency
"Once our visits were initiated, we received correspondence from the owner stating they disputed all monies which we are pursuing. All relevant information relating to the outstanding balance including a full breakdown of costs and interest incurred has now been provided."