Section 75 protection

BaldacchinoR

Just a warning which may seem obvious. Someone I know was asked to pay with a credit card for building works, not to the builder, but to the supplier of the materials! Silly but its true. That person may have trouble claiming under S75 as a result, possibly because this situation may come under the currently trending problem of involving a 3rd party when paying by credit card. If not because of that, involving a 3rd party in this way will still complicate a potential claim!

eskbanker

If your friend paid the materials supplier directly by CC then s/he has s75 rights against that company in the event that the materials are faulty, but, yes, s/he wouldn't be able to claim against the builder if s/he hasn't paid them directly.

The currently trending problem is more to do with the use of third party payment processors (especially when concealed from the customer) - any use of intermediaries (travel agents being the usual example) has always negated s75 rights by virtue of breaking the debtor-creditor-supplier chain.

jonesMUFCforever

Better to get a reputable builder in the first place who has appropriate insurance for when things go wrong.

chattychappy

eskbanker wrote: »

If your friend paid the materials supplier directly by CC* then s/he has s75 rights against that company in the event that the materials are faulty, but, yes, s/he wouldn't be able to claim against the builder if s/he hasn't paid them directly.

*if the friend also bought them from the supplier (not just paid the supplier). Recently I had some work done - my builder had an account with a supplier. I went with him to choose the materials. The purchase went through his account (invoice to him) but I paid the supplier on the spot with my CC. I was happy to do without S75 and get a few airmiles. The builder was happy as wouldn't have to finance the purchase of materials. I asked the shop if I could purchase the materials and be invoiced directly. The answer was I could do, but I wouldn't get the same discount that the builder would get.