What this tool is for

If a builder has let you down, this tool gives you a personalised plan for what to do next. It looks at what has gone wrong, what stage the job is at, and how much money is involved, then sets out the sensible next steps in the right order.

It covers the common problems homeowners face: shoddy workmanship, jobs abandoned halfway through, missed deadlines, sudden demands for more money, and builders who stop answering calls once they have been paid.

Who it is aimed at

This is for anyone in the UK who has hired a builder, roofer, plasterer, extension firm, kitchen fitter or similar trade, and the work has gone wrong. It does not matter whether you signed a written contract or just agreed things by text and handshake, you still have rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and the plan will reflect that.

It is useful whether the job is still ongoing and you want to stop things getting worse, or the builder has already walked away and you are trying to work out how to get your money back or the work put right. If the dispute involves a commercial property or you are a landlord acting as a business, the advice may not fully apply.

How it works

You answer a short set of questions about the job, the builder, what was agreed, what has gone wrong, and any payments made so far. The tool then produces a written action plan in plain English, setting out your legal position, the evidence you should start gathering, the letters or notices to send, and the escalation routes available to you, including trade bodies, chargeback, small claims and Trading Standards where relevant. Your answers are not saved, and you can print or save the plan for your own records.