The law that applies
Consumer Rights Act 2015, Section 49
Services must be performed with reasonable care and skill. If not, the consumer has the right to have the work redone or to receive a price reduction.
Consumer Rights Act 2015, Section 52
If repeat performance is not possible or the trader refuses, the consumer is entitled to a reduction in price.
Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982
Services must be completed within a reasonable time and at a reasonable price if no fixed price was agreed.
The process - step by step
Formal letter to the tradesperson
Set out the defects in writing and request remedy - either correction of the work or a price reduction. Give a reasonable deadline (14 days is standard).
Escalate to the trade association
Gas Safe Register, NICEIC, Federation of Master Builders (FMB), NHBC - most reputable trades bodies have a dispute resolution service for registered members.
Small claims court
For amounts up to £10,000, the small claims track is designed for exactly these disputes. File online at gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money.
Possible next steps
Trade association complaints / Small Claims Court
The correct trade association depends on the type of work. Gas Safe for gas work, NICEIC or NAPIT for electrical, FMB for builders. A letter to the association often prompts action faster than legal threats.
This is general guidance only. Whether an external scheme applies depends on the company, its membership, the complaint stage, and verified case facts. Fight My Corner does not currently start an external route.
Important warnings
Get independent quotes for the cost of putting things right - this is your evidence of the value of your claim.
Withholding payment entirely can be risky - withhold only the disputed portion if possible.
If the trader is not registered with a trade body, small claims court is your main route.
What Fight My Corner covers for this dispute
What's included
- Formal demand for remedial work
- Letter seeking price reduction for substandard work
- Pre-action protocol letter before small claims
What's not included
- Building safety or structural inspections
- Planning disputes
- NHBC warranty claims (separate process)
Start your fact-checking intake
Tell us what happened with builders & tradespeople. We'll save the facts you confirm and check the company classification. No letter is generated at this stage.
Legal disclaimer · Fight My Corner provides dispute guidance, not legal advice.