Hi,
We are in dispute with our building contractor regarding amount of monies owed.
The final certificate has been issued but is definitely incorrect as there are charges for items either not supplied or which were already included for in the drawings & spec not to mention several other very dubious claims.
The money is now being demanded via legal letter.
How do we best proceed to challenge this ?.
Can we refuse to pay any of the amount at this point if we know there are even a few claims that are definitely incorrect ?.
Alternatively, is there a facility to request that the final certificate be amended for these inappropriate claims (that contractor is definitely not entitled to) and would we then be expected to pay the balance ?.
Or, can/should we be looking at arbitration at this stage and if so, how does arbitration work i.e. if we request it, are the other side compelled to agree ?. Also what (and who) does it involve ?.
Thanks
We are in dispute with our building contractor regarding amount of monies owed.
The final certificate has been issued but is definitely incorrect as there are charges for items either not supplied or which were already included for in the drawings & spec not to mention several other very dubious claims.
The money is now being demanded via legal letter.
How do we best proceed to challenge this ?.
Can we refuse to pay any of the amount at this point if we know there are even a few claims that are definitely incorrect ?.
Alternatively, is there a facility to request that the final certificate be amended for these inappropriate claims (that contractor is definitely not entitled to) and would we then be expected to pay the balance ?.
Or, can/should we be looking at arbitration at this stage and if so, how does arbitration work i.e. if we request it, are the other side compelled to agree ?. Also what (and who) does it involve ?.
Thanks