Home improvements are often an exciting time, but when a tradesperson fails to deliver what was promised, frustration can quickly follow.
Whether the work was completed to a poor standard, overcharged or left unfinished or unsafe, knowing your legal rights can help resolve the issue efficiently.
Here’s how to prepare for any incidents that could occur.
Protecting your rights
Before you have any work completed in your home, it is important to know your rights and that, as a homeowner, you are protected under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982.
These laws state that any tradesperson you hire must carry out work with reasonable care and skill, supply materials fit for purpose and install any goods correctly.
If they fail to meet these standards, they have breached their legal requirements and you are entitled to a solution.
You can request that the work be redone or fixed at no extra cost, or you could be entitled to the cost of rectifying any defects if the tradesperson does not do so, or a potential refund in part.
What are the common problems when dealing tradespeople?
Problems with tradespeople can range from poor workmanship, delays to unsafe or unfinished work.
Some of the most common incidents may include:
In such circumstances you have a right to have the problem fixed by the tradesperson if they are willing or if you wish them to do so or claim damages from the tradesperson in having the issues fixed/ rectified.
What are the next steps if this happens to me?
If you are unhappy with the work, it is important to gather relevant paperwork such as quotes, contracts, receipts and any written correspondence.
Begin with contacting the tradesperson or company that arranged the work explaining the situation clearly and referencing your rights.
Give them a fair deadline to make repairs and follow up in writing on what you expect them to do.
If a resolution cannot be found then, you may have to resort to looking to bring a claim against the tradesperson.
This process may feel intimidating, but we can help you understand your rights and ensure you receive the fair treatment and quality workmanship you are entitled to.
How best to avoid this from happening to me?
The best way to seek to avoid disputes is to have a formal contract in place between you and the tradesperson, which clearly sets out the obligations and rights of each party.
Although it may not eliminate disputes entirely, it can help reduce the likelihood of them and offer you peace of mind when dealing with home improvements.
For further advice on protecting your homeowners’ rights, contact our Construction Law team for expert advice today.
