Sounds like a bad episode of the Sopranos but bear me out...
Word on the street is that some main building contractors are not hurting as much as they would have us believe. Their policy of not paying the substantial monies that they owe to their sub-contractors across the country is keeping the wolves from their doors - while setting them loose on their subbies.
We have received a host of reports from members and other tradesmen that, while large sums of money are owed to them from previously respected contractors, they simply cannot get paid. In one case over €200,000 is owed to a plumber from one of the largest contractors in Ireland but he is being fed the line that the money is not there to pay him. While he is looking at taking legal action to settle the matter, others have been talking about a less desirable courses of action - so much so that at least one high profile contractor has allegedly hired a group of bodyguards for his personal protection. Messy stuff that has the potential to get out of hand -surely if the developers have managed to re-negotiate credit terms with the banks they can pay some or all of their bills to their tradesmen ? Let's see how it pans out.
On the Electrician front Onlinetradesmen.com and RECI recently partnered to re-develop the new reci.ie web site - viewable at www.reci.ie. An official press release to follow. Essentially RECI members can now access job leads from members online and create their own business web sites. Should be great for members of the public as well, they can put in details of work that they are looking to get pricing and start dates on and receive replies from RECI electricians.
Monday, October 20, 2008
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I can echo this. I am owed €82k and don't know if I will get it. My solicitor has told me that there are no guarantee's. It really doesn't seem fair, I've had to lay off 2 men so far.
ReplyDeleteDo you know who the contractor is ? It would be good to name and shame...
ReplyDeleteYep, you should name him. These f**cers should not be allowed to get away with this.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFor a long time I have felt that there is an opening for someone to take on the collection of these debts. I let go 10 men last Christmas, and have struggled to keep my business alive this year in order to sue the builders that owe me €60K.
ReplyDeleteIf I go out of business, they win and it is almost impossible to get the money then.
For us small operators, our contract is with the builder, not their bank. If they can't get the money from the bank, in my view, they are trading fraudulently (not able to pay debts as they fall due) and should be closed by the Director of Corporate Enforcement. In the meantime, we are all left to chase OUR money by using expensive legal means which goes no where.
My 2p worth.
Good luck to you all.