Round #828

I had work done on my house and the workmanship is poor. What are my options under the Consumer Rights Act?

A frustrating situation! Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have several options to resolve the issue with the poor workmanship. Here are the key points to consider: 1. **Right to Repair or Replacement**: You can request that the trader repairs or replaces the faulty work. This is usually the first step, and the trader should do this within a reasonable time and without causing you significant inconvenience. 2. **Right to a Price Reduction**: If the repair or replacement is not possible or is not done within a reasonable time, you can ask for a price reduction. This can be a partial refund, which reflects the reduction in value of the work due to the poor workmanship. 3. **Right to a Full Refund**: In some cases, you may be entitled to a full refund. This is typically if the work is so poor that it's not fit for purpose, or if the trader has failed to repair or replace the work after a reasonable number of attempts. 4. **Right to Compensation for Additional Costs**: You may also be able to claim compensation for any additional costs you've incurred as a result of the poor workmanship, such as the cost of hiring another trader to fix the issues. To exercise these rights, follow these steps: 1. **Contact the Trader**: Reach out to the trader and explain the issues with the workmanship. Provide evidence, such as photos or videos, to support your claim. 2. **Give the Trader a Chance to Respond**: Allow the trader a reasonable opportunity to respond and offer a solution. 3. **Put Your Complaint in Writing**: If the trader doesn't respond or doesn't offer a satisfactory solution, put your complaint in writing, including: * A clear description of the issues with the workmanship * The remedy you're seeking (e.g., repair, replacement, price reduction, or full refund) * Any relevant evidence, such as photos or invoices 4. **Seek Mediation or Alternative Dispute Resolution**: If the trader still doesn't respond or resolve the issue, consider seeking mediation or alternative dispute resolution (ADR) through a trade association or a consumer protection organization, such as the Citizens Advice Consumer Service. 5. **Take Legal Action**: As a last resort, you may need to take legal action against the trader. You can seek advice from a solicitor or a consumer protection organization to help you with this process. Remember to keep records of all correspondence, including dates, times, and details of conversations, as well as any evidence related to the poor workmanship. Additionally, consider the following time limits: * You have 30 days from the date of completion to report any issues with the workmanship. * You have 6 years from the date of completion to make a claim for breach of contract. It's essential to act promptly and follow the correct procedures to ensure you're able to exercise your rights under the Consumer Rights Act.

Under the Consumer Rights Act, you have the right to request that the trader remedies the issue, which can include repairing or replacing the work, or providing a refund, and you may also be entitled to compensation for any consequential losses.