Problems can arise at any time when you’re having work done on your home. It should not be too difficult to set things right if you’re dealing with a reliable builder, however, there are unfortunately some cases where further action is required.

If you are facing a problem with a builder who is refusing to correct a problem, the following guide will talk you through how to proactively solve a dispute.

Disputes that can arise

Due to the nature of building work, several common issues often occur, including the following:

Delays – At the beginning of a project, a project timeline has likely been agreed upon. While this is naturally subject to change, significant delays can cause serious disputes and have significant impacts on other dependent works.

Defective work – Once work has been completed, you may decide that it is not up to standard. This could be anything from defects in usability to poor-quality material.

Pricing – There is a difference between an initial estimate and a quote. If the final cost is largely different from the final quote you were given, you might not necessarily be required to pay the difference.

Check your contract

At the beginning of any project, a contract should have been put in place to protect both parties.

The contract will outline the type of builder’s insurance that will be held and a breakdown of who is responsible for different elements of the work, such as the supply of materials and dealing with any damages.

Therefore, when dealing with a dispute, it’s important to check your contract first in order to see what process was decided upon should any conflict arise. It should be stated within the contract the period in which the builder is going to be responsible for their work. This is typically between 12 to 24 months in the UK but may have been negotiated differently for your specific works. If the defect occurred within this time frame, the builder is liable to rectify the issue.

How to manage conflict

There are instances where conflict may escalate further if the responsibility for resolution can’t be agreed on. If you find yourself in this position, it is advised that you seek legal advice. As various civil and criminal laws govern construction, a professional will be able to advise you on your rights and whether you are able to make a claim.

If this is the route you are going to take, then it is important that you accurately document the process. This includes making note of any written and verbal agreements that were in place and clearly photographing damages, where possible.

If the work has taken place at your home, it is also worth looking into your home insurance policy to see if there is any coverage there.