Can anything be done in this situation??

[C~Q]

So ****ed off for DP right now.

Those of you who know the backstory know that DP is trying to sell his house. He built in underneath and had run out of money and skill to do it himself. He decided to bite the bullet and pay to get it finished (his best friend - awesome guy is paying and DP will pay him back when he sells). So anyway a few things needed doing amongst them a ceiling put in. He spoke to a friend of his...someone he has known a while, knows his situation...the lack of money, the cancer, EVERYTHING and asked him for a quote (mistake one a verbal quote). And this guy said $5-6K.

So his friend and another guy came in and did about a third of the work. Worked for 2 weeks then disappeared on another job for 2 weeks. Then G's friend who is paying called him and said he was sent a bill (and paid ) for $10K and the work isn't even finished.

DP called this "friend" and asked him WTH was going on and he said he doesn't remember the 5K convo and that the 10K was only up till now and was going to cost more to finish and then said he didn't have the time

So he's spoken to an assesor today who said the work isn't that good, should have taken no more than a week and shouldn't have been anywhere near 10K (actually he's charging $9600 which is under the 10K figure that he can go to court about or something?? )

So...is there anything he can do? DP is pretty devastaed that a friend would screw him over and upset about the financial side too obviously...as is his friend thats paid it. And I'm just blown away that he's getting more **** dumped on him...I mean really, who screws over a friend thats freakin dying???

TIA x

[~Hestia~]

How awful I really don't know hun but couldn't not post. I hope it gets sorted out somehow

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

You could try contacting HIA or MBA and asking their advice....or he could go to the Small Claims Tribunal. I'd do the first suggestion, I think they'd be quite helpful once they find out his situation.

Although I don't normally suggest going to the media, I reckon TT or ACA would give a pretty quick response as well

[C~Q]

Thanks guys, i've googled and small claims is now called QCAN or something so i've sent him a form. From what I can tell MBA is more for the builder?? and the HIA link won't work but i'll try again tomorrow...thanks xxx

[LimeSlice]

The MBA is a great place to start I would think. And I would get some legal advice, although I am not sure much could be done given his mate already paid the bill...

But yep, failing a decent response from the contractor and legal avenues, ACA is great for this sort of thing. Won't get your DP his money back, but will screw the other guy big time.

[C~Q]

I sent him the link but he hasn't aknwledged it :/ No doubt he's going to do the blokey thing and whine but not actually do anything...i'm going up there thursday so i'll see if I can convince him. Thanks guys!