I'm A Sole Trader And Not Getting Paid!!

[neckface]

Hi all, sorry its so long!!

i have been doing work for 3 months now for a new company, they have now stopped paying me using excuses like "not enough wor was done this week" even though they pay their brother in law for the same week! also they are holding money (now £8,500) because a window has a slight difference to another, i am more than happy to fix it but they haven't made up their minds, i agreed to them holding £1,400 but now they are holding everything. Also they feel that i should be there evenings, weekends and in the rain and snow!(actually i do work in the rain and snow)
The bank and architect seem to be happy with progress, i've asked other builders and they say i'm doing well.

They said its not going fast enough, i asked them to release more money many times for extra labor, they refused, a bit of a contradiction there?
I sent them an e-mail saying i will not return to rectify or continue work until up to date payments are made.

Also I have gone to citizens advice, got legal advice and now i will go to see the architect.

Question. If the architect manages to sort this out, should i continue to work there? there is another 3 months left and now probably a lot of tension and it has been unbelievably stressful!

[Mr.Cerebral]

Well its difficult to understand the full context and detail of what you have posted, but if you do manage to get SOME money for the amount of work you have done so far, then its probably wise after that to quit and move on (if you can afford to).

If they're not prepared to commit to paying you right now, then why would they suddenly change their minds 3 months down the line?

[neckface]

Thanks for the reply, I agree, its just frustrating because this job would have really put me on the map. I can afford to move on, luckily I have got a good reputation and get offered to work for or go into business with people all the time, just not my own work!
You end up doubting whether your right when your told on a weekly basis your not good enough!! Just cannot trust them anymore.

[Ian J]

Do you have any sort of contract that you are working to?