£20,600 Default Judgment Secured Against Building Contractor – Plus Legal Costs

Go Legal successfully recovers damages for a homeowner after incomplete and unsafe renovation works

Problem:

Our client, a private homeowner, engaged a building company to carry out substantial refurbishment works, including a wet room installation, internal flooring, kitchen fittings, PVC doors and windows, and the relocation of a manhole. The agreed contract price was £25,500, of which the client paid £22,900.

However, the contractor failed to deliver the work properly and abandoned the site without completing the project. The works that were carried out were poorly executed and unsafe and left the property exposed to damage. Rubbish was dumped onsite and next door, beams were left open to the elements, and critical structural and safety issues were ignored.

Despite the client’s repeated requests, the contractor refused to return or refund any money. Our client was left with a partially built, unsafe structure and had to seek quotes for remedial work from new contractors​.

Outcome:

Go Legal prepared and issued a formal claim in the Central London County Court for £20,600 in damages, including:

• £18,500 for remedial construction work.
• £1,500 for replacement materials (battens and roofing felt).
• £600 for cleanup of the debris left behind​.

The defendant failed to respond or defend the claim. We applied for default judgment, which was granted in full. The Court also awarded our client costs in addition to the full damages.

This ensured that our client had a legally enforceable judgment and could now proceed with enforcement action to recover what they were owed.

Details of the Case:

The building contractor’s conduct breached:

• Basic consumer protection laws under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
• Obligations under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.
• Common law rules relating to breach of contract and substandard workmanship.

We carefully gathered and presented:

• A detailed statement of claim.
• Payment evidence.
• Photographic records of the damage.
• Third-party repair quotes to support the damages claim​.

Once proceedings were issued and the defendant failed to respond, we took immediate steps to apply for judgment, avoiding delay and unnecessary court hearings.

Legal Tip:
If a contractor fails to defend a claim, default judgment can provide a quick and cost-effective way to recover your losses—provided your claim is clear, evidenced, and properly presented.

Why Choose Us:

• Specialists in construction disputes and property-related claims.
• Fast, decisive action where others delay.
• Skilled in using default judgment procedures to recover debts quickly.
• Clear advice and strong evidence preparation from day one.
• Fixed-fee litigation and court claim services are available.

If you’ve paid a contractor who hasn’t completed the job—or has left your property in a dangerous or unfinished state—Go Legal can help. Call us on 0207 459 4037 or request a Free Consultation online.