Complaining about a tradesman

principlecounts

I've recently had some home improvements work done on my property, and I'm not happy the tradesman hasn't completed one job completely. I questioned this while the work was being carried out, and I've contacted the tradesman in the first instance after all the work was complete. I asked for some refund on not having the work carried out. Their response is it's "against company policy to refund below a certain amount." That maybe so, but I think according to 'Trading Standards' they have:

"misled you into buying their products or services"

I have written proof in a text message (and I have said verbally) that I wanted a certain issue resolved. The trader has not highlighted to me they couldn't do the job but instead went ahead and did a basic job for money instead. I'm going to build up a series of events on emails and paper work. Other than writing to 'Trading Standards' what are my options here, and my likely outcomes?

Annie1960

The problem with the construction industry is that it is not regulated (with the exception of specific trades such as gas engineers).

You are therefore left with the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

What sort of trade was it?

principlecounts

Thanks for the reply Annie1960.

Roofing & Home Improvements. I'm going to call my local Trading Standards on Monday for advice, I don't want to mention Trading Standards yet to the trader because I need them to correct some fixes which they seem willing to do. Then I will drop the bombshell about the unfulfilled work. Before I do, I want to check with Trading Standards I have a case based on evidence I have gathered so far.

missile

Have you paid him?

principlecounts

Hi missile,

Yes I have paid. I didn't want to give the full amount but I was made compelled to (which is also in violation of trading standards) and didn't want to cause a scene on my street which is not my style. I was very careful to keep evidence on what was said and agreed, the work carried out so they cannot dispute it later. I noticed they lacked basic common sense such as not being clear on what work needed doing, and not having the decency to offer me receipts. There were other silly behaviours which I won't go into here but just adds to the unprofessional experience. I have their postal address and full contact details. I'm just curious who I can report these people to, as form of pressure to provide some refund and ensure these guys professionalise or stop trading.

Doozergirl

Is it possible that you could just tell us what has happened? I'm not sure what you expect us to advise when none of us is given a clue.

principlecounts

I'm reluctant to go into detail right now. But I may later once I understand my position when I'm out of ideas. Right now, I'm looking for advice on where I can go to pressure a tradesmen to give a refund on work they could not carry out but claiming they did what I asked.

mo786uk

You can contact TS for advice (majority require you yo go via Citizens Advice, which is funded by Government to provide free consumer legal advice). This is then reported to TS in case there is anything for them to follow up.

Unless there has been a criminal offence (and I suspect a serious one where you have been mislead significantly rather than a minor one) then they may look into the trader.

Given the cuts to TS you are highly unlikely to get anyone trying to contact the trader on your behalf but it very much depends on what happened and how many TS officers there are where you live.

Court is your official route to a refund unless you paid by card - in which case look at 'section 75'.

principlecounts

There wasn't a credit card facility available so I didn't pay by card. I ensured I paid by BACS instead so there is a record of the transfer of money. I have a good idea now on how to get the company to give me a refund and fix their ways or off the scene.

As always I keep up to date on my dispute so others in a similar situation can learn first hand. I may go into more details at a later date.

Annie1960

principlecounts wrote: »

Right now, I'm looking for advice on where I can go to pressure a tradesmen to give a refund on work they could not carry out but claiming they did what I asked.

The only place you can go to for this is called a court.

JEN22

Yes I agree. I sued a builder last year through a solicitor


I won my case