Some of the disputes we mediate are between local residents and tradespeople who’ve carried out repairs or home improvements at their property. Mediation can be a cost-effective way of resolving issues before they escalate.
If you’re not happy with work that’s been carried out in your home, take these practical steps in the first instance:
- Take photos and video footage of the issues
- Gather your paperwork including the quote, contract, invoices, correspondence, including texts and emails, and receipts
- Write to the tradesperson explaining what is wrong and what you would like them to do, even if they have sub-contracted the work to someone else
- Provide a reasonable deadline for them or their sub-contractors to make things right
- Put everything in writing to ensure you have a clear record
In England, repairs and home improvements carried out by tradespeople are covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015. If the work has not been carried out with reasonable care and skill, you have legal rights.
If you and your tradesperson struggle to agree a satisfactory resolution, consider mediation as an alternative way to reach an agreement rather than taking legal action, which can be costly and stressful. In the first instance, check whether they belong to a trade body which has a dispute resolution scheme. If they do not and you live within the areas we serve in West Kent, get in touch to see if we can help.
Our mediation service is free of charge to residents of Tonbridge & Malling Borough and the Sevenoaks District. In the Borough of Tunbridge Wells, we are currently only able to offer parent-teen mediation free of charge.
