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Trading standards
Is there a Belgian equivalent of the trading standards authority in the UK ?
We are having trouble with a roofing company who have done a bad job. We have told them what is wrong and asked them to fix it before we agree to pay the balance of their bill (we have paid half so far).
They are refusing and threatening us with lawyers.
What recourse do we have ?
Thanks for any advice
Start with European Consumer Centre Belgium
http://www.eccbelgium.be/
Look at it the other way. They've done 1/2 a job, and have been 1/2 paid for it. If they want the other 1/2 of the money, they are going to either have to finish the job, or they are going to have to take you to court through a Juge de Paix to recover the money.
Give them a detailed list of what needs doing to finish the job and a set timeframe (30 days?) to get it done. If they do not, get someone else in to finish the job, and pay the original company any balance left over - costs. (tell them this is what you are going to do).
It is quite normal not to pay the balance of the bill on any construction work until the job is finished to the required standard.
Send them a registered letter laying out the faults and what needs to be done to complete the job.
Make it clear that once this is done to your satisfaction you will pay the balance immiedately.
This is necessary in Belgium to show that you are willing to pay the bill and are of good faith.
