You hired a tradesperson to do a job. They took your money — upfront or partway through — and now they've either disappeared, done work so poor it needs redoing, or are demanding more money than agreed. You feel stuck because the work was done on a handshake or a basic quote.
You're not stuck. Even without a written contract, you have legal rights. Every time you hire a tradesperson, a contract is formed. If they breach it, you can sue them in the small claims court for the cost of putting things right.
Your Rights: Under the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015, any tradesperson must carry out their work with reasonable care and skill, within a reasonable time, and for a reasonable price. These rights exist even with no written contract.
The Law That Protects You
Consumer Rights Act 2015 (Consumer Contracts)
If you're a consumer hiring a tradesperson for domestic work, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies. It requires the service to be carried out with reasonable care and skill. If it isn't, you're entitled to have the work redone or get a price reduction.
Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982
For business-to-business contracts, this Act implies the same obligations: reasonable care and skill, reasonable time, and reasonable price (if not specified). It covers all tradespeople regardless of whether there's a written contract.
The Implied Term of Reasonable Care and Skill
Every trade contract — whether verbal, by text message, or on a formal quote — carries an implied term that the work will be done to a reasonable standard. "Reasonable" means what a competent tradesperson in that field would do. Shoddy work, dangerous installations, or abandoned jobs all fall below this standard.
Tradesperson Won't Return Your Calls?
JustClaim generates a formal letter before action and N1 court claim. Most tradespeople settle once they receive a court claim.
Start My ClaimCommon Tradesperson Disputes
Poor Workmanship
The work was completed but is substandard — leaking pipes after a plumber "fixed" them, uneven tiling, a boiler installation that doesn't work, paintwork that peels within weeks. What to claim: Cost of having the work redone to a proper standard by a competent tradesperson.
Abandoned Job
The tradesperson started work, took money for materials or stage payments, and then stopped coming. Left the job half-done and uncontactable. What to claim: Money paid minus the value of work actually completed, plus cost of completing the job.
Overcharging
Final invoice is far higher than the quote or verbal agreement. Surprise charges for materials, additional time, or work you didn't authorise. What to claim: The difference between the agreed or reasonable price and the amount charged.
Damage Caused During Work
Tradesperson damaged your property while doing the job — cracked tiles, flooded bathroom, damaged wiring. They are liable for damage caused by their negligence. What to claim: Cost of repair or replacement of damaged property.
Work That Doesn't Meet Building Regulations
Electrical or gas work not certified, structural work without approval, plumbing that fails inspection. You may face remediation costs to bring it up to standard. What to claim: Cost of remediation, certification, and any fines or fees incurred.
Do You Need a Written Contract?
No. A verbal agreement is a contract. A text message exchange agreeing a job and a price is a contract. An email quote you accepted is a contract. The absence of a formal document does not mean you have no rights — it just means the terms must be established from the evidence available.
Tip: Even after the fact, write down everything you remember about the agreement — what was agreed, when, the price, what was included. Text messages, WhatsApp messages, and emails are all valid evidence in small claims court.
What to Do Before Going to Court
Get a Quote for Remedial Work
Before you can claim the cost of putting things right, you need evidence of what it will cost. Get one or two quotes from other tradespeople for the remedial work. These become your claim amount.
Take Photos and Videos
Document the poor work thoroughly — close-up photos, videos showing the problem in use (a dripping pipe, a malfunctioning installation). Date-stamp them if possible.
Send a Letter Before Action
You must write to the tradesperson before filing a court claim, giving them 14 days to respond and resolve the issue. This is required by the pre-action protocol — and often resolves the dispute without going to court.
File Your Claim
If they ignore you or refuse, file an N1 form in the county court. Claims up to £10,000 are heard on the small claims track — informal, no legal costs risk, and court fees of £35–£455 are refunded if you win.
Sole Traders vs. Limited Companies: If you're suing a sole trader, you sue them personally. For a limited company, sue the company. Check Companies House to confirm whether they trade as a company or sole trader — this affects who you name as defendant on the N1 form.
What You Can Claim
- Cost of remedial work — quotes from other tradespeople to fix what they got wrong
- Refund of advance payments — money paid for work not completed
- Cost of damage — property damaged by their negligence
- Additional costs — alternative accommodation if your home was uninhabitable, storage costs, hotel bills
- Interest — 8% per annum from the date of loss to judgment
- Court fees — added to the judgment if you win
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