Tradespeople costsGetting started
We've all heard horror stories about cowboy tradespeople but do the headlines paint a true picture? To find out, we asked our members about their experiences of using different trades to build up a picture of the standard of service across the UK.
Your rights
If something does go wrong, it's important to know where you stand legally.
Checklist
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Written contracts
If problems arise it’s easier to deal with them if you have agreed a contract in writing before the work starts, stating a fixed price, deadline and the work you want done
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Fixed price
You should ask for a fixed price, not an estimate or a quote, as a quote doesn’t actually have any legal meaning. If they won’t agree to a fixed price for the whole job try agreeing a fixed price for parts of the job to limit the areas where you could be charged more
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Get it checked
The Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 says work must be carried out using ‘reasonable care and skill’. This doesn’t mean it has to be perfect, but it does have to be of good quality. The job must also be done within a reasonable time
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Seeking compensation
If things are still going wrong, tell the workers that if they don’t complete the job satisfactorily you’ll get a third party to complete the work – and you’ll be seeking the cost of doing so from them. Try doing this verbally first, and then write if you have no success
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Small claims court
Be aware that if you do go down this route, you will have to take them to the small claims court to reclaim the costs, up to £5,000 (in England and Wales). You will have to prove that the work wasn't satisfactory or done in a reasonable time, as well as being able to prove that you gave them a chance to rectify the situation – take photographs and keep all documents and written records of calls
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Hold back
You have to pay at the times you agreed in the contract, but negotiate to hold back 10-20% until it’s completed. This way, if something does go wrong, you have some bargaining power. If the work is going to cost between £100 and £30,000, pay using a credit card if possible, as the card provider will then be jointly liable
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Mess
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If workers leave debris and mess, you could try to argue that this is a failure to provide the service using reasonable skill and care. However, it’s debatable. You’d be best to agree in advance whether clearing debris is part of the contract or not
Building regulations
England & Wales
If the job counts as building works under the building regulations, you'll need to pay to have it inspected and certified. The list of what counts as building works includes everything from building an extension to installing a new window.
If you're not sure call your local authority. If it’s a larger job such as an extension, you should submit plans for approval before you start. The job of inspecting and certifying is usually done by your local authority’s building control.
There are competent persons schemes for trades such as electricians, plumbers, heating engineers and glaziers. If you use someone who’s a member, they can self-certify their work.
This means it doesn't need to be submitted to your local authority for building regulation control and you won't have to pay for it to be inspected. Make sure you're given a certificate on completion of the work or inspection that the work complies with the standards.
Northern Ireland
You should lodge your application with the local authority prior to starting work. There are no competent-persons schemes, completion certificates aren't mandatory and electrical jobs generally aren't covered by the regulations.
Scotland
The work may require a building warrant. You apply for this from your local council, usually before work starts, and, once it's finished, you or your trade submit a completion certificate. If in doubt, contact your council.
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