Hassle-free help from the UK's best Property solicitors.
Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
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01 overview
Whether it’s a home renovation gone wrong, shoddy workmanship, delays, or unexpected costs, disputes with tradesmen or builders can leave you feeling stressed and uncertain about what to do next.
Construction and renovation projects, whether big or small, involve multiple moving parts and can be prone to misunderstandings or mismanagement.
Common tradesman and builder issues include quality issues, unexpected delays and disruptions, hidden charges, incomplete work, and misunderstandings over expectations.
At Lawhive, our network of experienced property lawyers can provide clear, actionable advice tailored to your specific situation and help you resolve disputes with tradesmen and builders quickly and affordably.
Don’t let tradesman or builder disputes take up any more of your time or energy. Contact us today for a free case evaluation from our Legal Assessment Specialists and get a no-obligation quote for the services of a specialist lawyer.
Hiring tradesmen or builders for your home or business project should bring your vision to life. However, sometimes disputes arise and turn what should be an exciting process into a source of stress and frustration.
Common problems with tradesmen or builders include:
Poor workmanship is one of the most frequent complaints that come about when the work delivered by tradesmen or builders falls below the agreed standards or industry expectations. This can leave you with an unfinished or unsafe project that costs even more to fix.
Examples of poor workmanship include uneven tiling, improper installation, or substandard materials.
Projects can sometimes run over because of inadequate planning or supply chain issues.
While sometimes unavoidable, delays can significantly disrupt your daily life, especially if the project involves essential home or business repairs.
As you might imagine, lots of tradesman or builder disputes happen because of unexpected costs that stem from unanticipated project complexities, material upgrades, or even hidden fees that aren’t disclosed upfront.
Property owners might find themselves faced with higher bills than originally agreed, leading to financial strain and disagreements over payments.
If builders or tradesmen don’t complete the work, deviate from agreed plans, or use inferior materials, it could be classed as a breach of contract.
On the other hand, for clients, a breach of contract could involve non-payment or unrealistic demands. Breaches of contract are a significant source of disputes and often require legal intervention to resolve.
If you’re unhappy with the work done by a tradesman or builder, talk to them as soon as you notice issues. Calmly explain why you’re unhappy but focus on resolving the issue rather than escalating it.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you are entitled to services performed with care and skill. So, if the work is not up to standard, you can request that the issues be fixed or, if that’s not feasible, a reduction in the price.
If this does not solve the problem, you may need to seek external help. If the tradesman or builder is a member of a trade association, you should contact them for support as they will often provide mediation services and help enforce standards of workmanship among their members.
However, if neither direct communication nor mediation solves the problem, speak to a solicitor specialising in property or consumer law.
For disputes up to £10,000, you can file a claim in the Small Claims Court. Your solicitor can help you with this to increase your chances of a successful claim.
If a tradesman or builder fails to complete their work on time, or within a timeframe that would be considered reasonable, you can:
If your contract specifies start and end dates or includes penalties for delays, you can enforce these terms. You may be entitled to claim damages for any losses you’ve suffered due to the delay, based on the contractual agreement.
In cases of significant or prolonged delays, you may have the right to terminate the contract and hire another tradesman to complete the work, as well as seek compensation from the original tradesmen.
If you have concerns about costs you should ask your builder for a detailed breakdown of the charges. This should include the cost of materials, labour, and any additional expenses.
If there are charges you believe to be unjustified or outside the scope of the original agreement, ask for an explanation. Often, disputes over cost can be easily put to bed through a simple calm conversation.
If you are unable to reach an agreement in this way, you can file a claim in the Small Claims Court for amounts up to £10,000.
Being dissatisfied with the work done by a tradesman or builder can be frustrating, and you may feel inclined to withhold payment until the issues are resolved.
However, outright refusal to pay could lead to the tradesman or builder taking legal action against you for non-payment.
Therefore, the better route before withholding payment is to explain to the tradesman or builder why you’re not satisfied and give them a chance to redo the work or fix any defects.
In the meantime, you might consider making a partial payment for the work that has been satisfactorily completed and withholding a portion of the payment equivalent to the cost of fixing the issues.
If you do decide to withhold payment, you should tell the tradesman or builder why you are doing so, and be prepared to defend your decision legally.
When it comes to disputes over building work, a solicitor can:
At Lawhive, our experienced network of property lawyers is here to assist you with all aspects of building work disputes. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and to learn how we can help you secure a satisfactory resolution.
If a builder leaves your project unfinished you should contact them in writing outlining the issues, the unfinished work, and your expectation for them to return and complete the project.
If the builder is unable or unwilling to complete the work, negotiate alternatives like a partial refund or reduced final payment to cover the cost of hiring another contractor.
If you need to hire another contractor to finish the project, keep track of the additional costs involved in this and any other expenses resulting from the delay as you may be able to claim these additional costs from the original builder if you pursue legal action.
For disputes involving amounts up to £10,000, you can file a claim in the Small Claims Court, or, for larger claims, your solicitor can help you file a claim in the County Court, seeking damages for breach of contract, additional costs, and any other financial losses incurred.
If you’re locked in a bitter dispute with a tradesman or builder, our network of expert solicitors is here to help resolve the situation quickly and affordably.
From the initial consultation to the final resolution, your solicitor will provide comprehensive support throughout the dispute resolution process from reviewing all relevant documents and contracts to preparing and filing your claim.
Contact our Legal Assessment Team for a free case evaluation and get a no-obligation quote for the services of a specialist lawyer.
With straightforward pricing - so you know exactly what to expect at every step.
