Being held to ransom?

Five weeks ago we paid Sunfold the last instalment minus £400. This sum was to cover the cost of getting the builder back for one and a half days plus a half day's compensation for the over-run in installation. Not only were the installers inefficient and work-shy, but Sunfold had forgotten to drill the right holes, so the framework had to go back to Norfolk for the weekend. As previously posted about, our architect agreed that all of these holdups were Sunfold's problem, we had been greatly inconvenienced (not only the cost, but it was freezing in those weeks before Christmas) and that £400 was a very reasonable amount to withhold.

I've contacted Sunfold twice to ask for a reaction to our the architect's letter, and despite presenting our cheque they have yet to respond. Yesterday I wrote to ask when we were getting our keys, and this morning they replied: "Our accounts department will send your keys once full and final payment has been made and cleared, which as I understand there is still £400.00 outstanding".

I'm sure there's a better word than 'blackmail' for this situation but I can't think what it is.

We have the keys

Well it's all getting pretty real. We had the offer accepted on October 30th, and exchanged contracts on December 21st. Then the keys were released after completion on February 11th. I got a bus to the real estate agent who kindly handed over a box of keys without even asking for ID - I could've been anyone!

We had four days to wander round inside the now empty and clean shell of our new house, but after a brief meeting with Anthony the architect we went to Florida for a week.

The thought of shelling out for two mortgages for the next few months is beyond scary. And each week that passes I find out that something else has to be done which takes time. The latest is a party wall survey and contract, so that we can do our extension legally, without upsetting our lovely neighbours. The time period is anything up to a month and the quotes ranged from £200 + VAT to over £1,000. I've just emailed the neighbours to see if they could recommend the company who would've done their party wall contract.