Trade contractors slam Gee over late payment

Gee Construction has come under renewed fire from trade contractors over its payment practices.

Subbies have approached CJ following a recent report that Hi-Tech Flooring was forced to take out court action against Gee to recover a £15,000 bill that had been outstanding for months.

Hi-Tech director Nick Perkins claimed Gee’s payment system meant subcontractors could ring only during a two-hour window on Friday afternoons to check if they would get paid.

Another contractor said: “When I read that it was complete déjà vu. They owe us money but have this ridiculous practice where you can only ring them at certain times to discuss it.”

Gee has also fallen-out with specialist audio-visual supplier Educationall.

The firm supplied interactive whiteboards at a school in Ealing, west London, to Gee.

After the 30-day payment terms were busted Educationall called the school direct and threatened to remove its £12,000-worth of equipment.

The threat worked and the firm was eventually paid seven weeks later than the agreed date. Educationall managing director Matthew Webster said: “I would never work for Gee again.

“It was time-consuming, frustrating and very worrying, with constant promises of the cheque being on its way when it wasn’t.

“Subcontractors like us are so vulnerable in situations where a main contractor chooses to string you along and hold money back.”

No one from Gee was available to comment.