Don’t believe that engaging a lawyer leads to court.
Agreed and, to be clear, I wasn’t suggesting court action. When you’re dealing with the sub-contractor of a developer who is only interested in getting a job done as quickly and cheaply as possible, who probably doesn’t understand their legal obligations and who has no idea about the extent of your knowledge of the law, then a lawyer’s letter can clarify issues to the point where sensible negotiations can begin.
At least then the builder can’t go ahead and do as they please and then turn around and say no one told them they couldn’t.