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THE TOOLBOX

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

Clear, practical guidance for when a job doesn't go to plan.

From poor workmanship and unfinished jobs to payment disputes, safety concerns and rogue traders — start with the basics and work out what to do next.

BROWSE BY PROBLEM

What's gone wrong?

Before You Escalate What to gather, what to write down and the first steps to take ➜ Payment & Contract Disputes Deposits, invoices, disputed costs and what was agreed ➜ Poor or Incomplete Work What to do if the work isn't finished or isn't up to standard ➜ Damage & Safety Concerns What to do if the work may be unsafe or has caused damage ➜ Rogue Traders & Fraud Warning signs, scams and where to report serious concerns ➜ Who to Contact Councils, regulators, police, Action Fraud and other routes ➜

START HERE

Useful guides when something isn't right

FIRST STEPS

What should I do first if I'm unhappy with the work?

The practical things worth doing before a disagreement becomes a full dispute.

INCOMPLETE WORK

What if a tradesperson leaves a job unfinished?

What to record, what to ask for and what your next steps might be.

PAYMENT DISPUTES

Should I withhold payment if I'm unhappy with the work?

Why stopping payment can be complicated and what to consider first.

SAFETY CONCERNS

What should I do if I think the work is unsafe?

When to stop using something, who to contact and why evidence matters.

ROGUE TRADERS & FRAUD

How do I report a suspected rogue trader?

The main places to report concerns and what information to have ready.

WHO TO CONTACT

Who should I contact when building work goes wrong?

A simple guide to councils, regulators, Citizens Advice, police and other routes.

VIEW ALL PROBLEM-SOLVING GUIDES ➜

NEED TO REPORT A PROBLEM?

Tell us what's happened.

If the issue relates to a business listed on MyTradeSearch, you can use our reporting page to see the next steps.

REPORT A TRADE ➜

LOOKING AHEAD

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