Q: I have signed a contract for the installation and supply of a marble staircase amounting to €4,000 and also paid a €400 deposit.

It was agreed that the work on the staircase would start in March of this year and finish two months later. Since March, the supplier only came once to do some work.

When I contact the supplier, he gives me dates and does not bother to call to say he’s not coming.

At this point I have no idea when the work will continue or finish. I have other works scheduled that I cannot proceed with before the staircase is finished. The supplier’s mobile is always off and not in a position to respond. I feel I can no longer trust him and would like to know what I should do to cancel the sales agreement and retrieve my deposit.

A: Since on the contract of sale you have written specific dates when the work on the staircase was supposed to start and finish and since this agreement is not being honoured by the supplier, legally, you can inform the seller that you want to cancel the sale and that he must refund you the deposit paid.

The trader may, however, ask you to pay for the work he has carried out on the staircase.