Your Legal Protections When Hiring a Tradesperson

Many homeowners are unaware of the legal protections they have when hiring tradespeople. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you significant rights if work is carried out poorly, and general contract law provides a framework for what both parties can expect. Understanding these rights before hiring — not after things go wrong — puts you in a much stronger position.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, any service provided by a trader must be carried out with reasonable care and skill; in a reasonable time (if not specified in advance); and for a reasonable price (if not agreed in advance). If the service falls short of these standards, you have the right to ask the trader to redo or repair the work within a reasonable time. If they cannot or will not, you may be entitled to a price reduction.

The Consumer Rights Act replaced a fragmented set of older statutes and provides a clear, modern framework for consumer protection in service contracts. It is one of the strongest consumer protection laws in Europe.

— Citizens Advice Bureau

While a verbal agreement is legally binding in principle, proving what was agreed is extremely difficult without written evidence. A written contract — which can be as simple as an email exchange confirming the scope, price, timeline, and payment terms — is your most effective legal protection. It does not need to be drafted by a lawyer; it needs to clearly state what each party has agreed to do.

There is no specific law in the UK governing tradesperson deposits, but general consumer protection law applies. If a tradesperson takes a deposit and then does not complete the work, you can pursue them for the return of the deposit through the civil courts. Paying by credit card for amounts over £100 (even if you pay the balance by other means) gives you additional protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

If the tradesperson considers the job complete but you believe it has not been done correctly, you must act quickly and methodically: document the problems in writing with photographs, formally notify the tradesperson of the specific defects and what remedy you require, give them a reasonable opportunity to rectify the work, and only escalate to trading standards, ADR, or the courts if the direct approach fails.

• Write down exactly what was agreed before work starts
• Pay by card where possible (Section 75 protection over £100)
• Retain final payment until you are satisfied
• Document defects in writing with photos immediately
• Use trade body complaints procedures before legal action