What course of action have I against a builder who has refurbished…

A firm price was never agreed to , he said he would "look after" me.

Initially we said we would budget for around $20,000, but this included for several

other jobs around the house that have not been completed.He said he would do this

as we had done him a massive favour in advancing the cash to him and getting him out of a spot.

He never gave a firm quotation., unfortunately I let my wife look after things'

and it got out of hand.

The work is still unfinished as the cornice has not been painted, however

we do not want him in the house again. The quality of tiling itself is OK, but

cheap methods and the use of plastic trim rather than mitering the tiles was used.

We have had retrospective quotes of around $15,000 for the jobs done .

Initially his design was for a grid type floor waste, however after the plumbing inspection,

it was established that this could not be put in without a non return valve in the sewage line, a fact he did not know. The design reverted to a hob around the drain as per original design. A lot of the costs involved are due to his inefficiencies and lack of knowledge and planning.

Originally he said the special floor trap was over $1,000 this was never used and was returned to him.

A request for return of the funds has been made however I think he will try to avoid this

as it appears he can not pay his suppliers for goods. He has considerable land holdings and currently has two blocks for sale I am considering a caveat on these , how does that work?

Thanks for your help, but perhaps the only course is to pursue the missing $4,500 and put the rest down to experience and never trusting a friend or aquaintance where money is concerned.

BTW he is a member of the same golf club and paranoid about others finding out.

Best Regards