I'm looking for advice from anyone who has experienced a similar dispute with a building contractor, particularly regarding unapproved variations and failure to complete works.
I engaged a building contractor for a substantial renovation and two-storey extension to my home under a signed fixed-price contract in December 2025.
The contract provides that variations must be agreed in writing before works are undertaken, with adjustments to the contract price arising from approved variations.
Unfortunately, the project has been beset by delays, additional costs and repeated missed completion dates. The original completion date was April 2026, and the house remains unfinished in late October.
The main dispute
The builder is now seeking substantial additional payments for works that were never priced, approved or agreed as variations.
The builder proceeded with these works without following the contractual variation process and is now attempting to recover the costs retrospectively.
I have accepted a number of other legitimate variations, including additional works that were properly discussed and priced. I am not refusing to pay for genuinely agreed additional works.
Completion issues
The builder has repeatedly missed agreed completion dates, including a revised date of 1 October 2026.
There are still outstanding plumbing, carpentry, electrical and finishing works, along with defects and snagging.
Despite the outstanding works, the builder has requested further advance payments and continues to pursue payment for the disputed variations.
I have already paid substantial sums under the contract, including an additional €15,000 advance in September to assist the builder with cash flow.
Legal advice
I have consulted a solicitor, who has advised that the builder does not have a contractual entitlement to payment for the disputed variations on the facts presented.
I have also been advised to issue a formal notice requiring completion within 14 days and, if the builder fails to comply, to consider terminating the contract in accordance with its terms and engaging another contractor to finish the project.
My preference throughout has been to have the original builder complete the house, settle the legitimate final account and move on. However, confidence in the contractor has been seriously undermined.
My questions are:
Has anyone successfully disputed retrospective charges for building works that were never priced or approved under a written contract?
Has anyone terminated a building contract due to failure to complete, and subsequently engaged another contractor?
What practical or financial difficulties did you encounter following termination?
If the builder pursues payment through a solicitor or debt collection process, how was the dispute ultimately resolved?
I appreciate that every contract and dispute is different, and I have already obtained legal advice. I'm particularly interested in hearing about people's actual experiences and how these situations were resolved.
At this stage, I simply want my house completed without being forced to pay substantial additional charges that I never agreed to.
I engaged a building contractor for a substantial renovation and two-storey extension to my home under a signed fixed-price contract in December 2025.
The contract provides that variations must be agreed in writing before works are undertaken, with adjustments to the contract price arising from approved variations.
Unfortunately, the project has been beset by delays, additional costs and repeated missed completion dates. The original completion date was April 2026, and the house remains unfinished in late October.
The main dispute
The builder is now seeking substantial additional payments for works that were never priced, approved or agreed as variations.
The builder proceeded with these works without following the contractual variation process and is now attempting to recover the costs retrospectively.
I have accepted a number of other legitimate variations, including additional works that were properly discussed and priced. I am not refusing to pay for genuinely agreed additional works.
Completion issues
The builder has repeatedly missed agreed completion dates, including a revised date of 1 October 2026.
There are still outstanding plumbing, carpentry, electrical and finishing works, along with defects and snagging.
Despite the outstanding works, the builder has requested further advance payments and continues to pursue payment for the disputed variations.
I have already paid substantial sums under the contract, including an additional €15,000 advance in September to assist the builder with cash flow.
Legal advice
I have consulted a solicitor, who has advised that the builder does not have a contractual entitlement to payment for the disputed variations on the facts presented.
I have also been advised to issue a formal notice requiring completion within 14 days and, if the builder fails to comply, to consider terminating the contract in accordance with its terms and engaging another contractor to finish the project.
My preference throughout has been to have the original builder complete the house, settle the legitimate final account and move on. However, confidence in the contractor has been seriously undermined.
My questions are:
Has anyone successfully disputed retrospective charges for building works that were never priced or approved under a written contract?
Has anyone terminated a building contract due to failure to complete, and subsequently engaged another contractor?
What practical or financial difficulties did you encounter following termination?
If the builder pursues payment through a solicitor or debt collection process, how was the dispute ultimately resolved?
I appreciate that every contract and dispute is different, and I have already obtained legal advice. I'm particularly interested in hearing about people's actual experiences and how these situations were resolved.
At this stage, I simply want my house completed without being forced to pay substantial additional charges that I never agreed to.
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