Builder Left Job Unfinished UK

People in this situation often start by writing to the builder giving a specific and reasonable deadline to return and complete the work. If the builder does not respond or refuses, getting quotes from other builders to complete the work can help establish the cost of putting things right. It may be important to take photographs documenting the current state of the work and any defects. If there is a written contract, reviewing it for clauses about completion timescales, staged payments, and dispute resolution can be helpful. Where the total claim is under £10,000, the small claims court is an option many people consider.

Common situations include: a builder starting work and then disappearing, work being left at a stage that causes damage to the property (such as an open roof), a builder demanding additional payment before completing the agreed work, poor quality work that needs to be redone by another tradesperson, and a builder who keeps promising to return but never does.

The Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 (sections 13–15) implies terms that services will be carried out with reasonable care and skill, within a reasonable time (where no time is fixed), and for a reasonable charge (where no price is agreed). The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (sections 49–52) provides similar protections for contracts entered into after October 2015. Where a written contract exists, the terms of that contract will also be relevant. Breach of contract may entitle the injured party to damages to put them in the position they would have been in had the contract been performed.

People in similar situations often consider: writing a formal letter before action giving a final deadline, obtaining quotes from alternative builders to complete the remaining work, pursuing a claim through the small claims court for the cost of completing the work (and rectifying any defects), reporting the builder to Trading Standards if there has been misleading conduct, and checking whether the builder is a member of a trade body with a dispute resolution scheme such as the Federation of Master Builders.

Common mistakes include: paying the full amount upfront before work is completed (staged payments linked to milestones are generally advisable), not having a written contract or specification of works, not documenting the state of the unfinished work with photographs and detailed notes, hiring another builder to complete the work without first getting quotes to evidence the completion cost, and not checking whether the builder had adequate insurance.