Tips - Expert Advice

Get the best from builders Mike Lawrence, author of the Which? Book of Home Improvements, explains how to get along with your traders.

• Get it in writing Always draw up a contract, or a simple letter of agreement for smaller projects, to be signed by both parties. This makes clear what’s involved, and will help you avoid conflict. Get full contact details and don’t settle for a mobile number alone.
• Agree the best route for traders to access the property. Clear obstacles, and request heavy-duty plastic runners and fixed-down dustsheets. Protect door frames against damage from tools and passing loads by taping packing material to them.
• Tea time Agree which taps, sinks and toilets workers can use and provide a kettle, cheap mugs and tea supplies and plenty of sugar.
• Don’t get too close to the job. Check progress each evening and raise any issues with the head contractor at the start of the next day. For long projects, arrange regular progress discussions on site to iron out any problems.
• Make agreed payments on time, unless there is a dispute over the work.

Know your rights Which? Legal Service’s Peter McCarthy on what to do if things go wrong:

Be specific Get three written quotes for the work. A quote is an agreed fixed price for the work, usually after inspection by the trader. Don’t settle for an estimate. An estimate is a rough guideline price. Be specific about what you want done. Time sensitive A contract is formed when you accept a trader’s offer to carry out work. If you need work finished by a certain date, write this down. Minimise extra work Get written quotes for all extras and confirm what you want in writing, as it could affect your completion date and costs. If work will cost more, this should be agreed before proceeding. Cash matters Be wary of traders who offer a lower price for cash. Always insist on a receipt. If you pay by credit card for work costing over £100 but less than £30,000, don’t put more than £25,000 on your card – a deposit will do. Your card provider and the contractor then have equal liability, so if things go wrong, you can make a claim against both. Avoid paying upfront Make sure the trader has insurance to protect payments you make on work or materials. Retain 5 per cent of the cost until work is finished and you’re happy with it. Cash in hand Your rights for paying cash in hand are exactly the same as for other work. The company or trader must carry out the service with reasonable skill and care; it must do work within a reasonable time if no fixed date’s been agreed; it can make a reasonable charge for work where a fee hasn’t been agreed; and it must use materials fit for their purpose and of satisfactory quality. How to complain Tell the trader as soon as you have a problem. If this fails, write to the person in charge and take photos of poor work. If you’re adding an extension, you’ll want it to look like part of the original building, so it’s worth paying close attention to design and materials. source: Which

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