When Building Work Goes Wrong

Can I withhold payment for a bad job?

Well, the Office of Fair Trading recommends that you shouldn't withhold total payment, but only for the defect that you have a query with. Again, you need to ensure that you talk to the builder immediately when you notice that there's something wrong, and speak to the builder directly. Often these things can be easily resolved without further dispute.

What can I do if builders damage items in my house?

Well any good professional builder will pay for any damages that he or she has caused your property. Again, carefree builders are unlikely to give you that reassurance which means it actually pays to have a professional builder in your home.

What can I do if I suspect items have been stolen from my property?

If you suspect that anything's been stolen from your property, the first thing you should do, is to speak to the foreman who's carrying out the building work in your home. But, it also reiterates our concern that you should always use a professional builder; because if those things do happen, at least you can contact the Federation of Master Builders to voice your concerns, and the FMB would investigate that for you.

What can I do if I think my builder is drinking on the job?

Well if you notice the builder drinking on the job, then you need to tell the supervisor immediately, because it contravenes health and safety. Again, professional builders won't be found wanting in terms of drinking and working at the same time.

What can I do if the job is taking longer than expected?

Well, we always recommend that the householder keeps a log of day-to-day activities so you can record what's happening on that day, and what work's been carried out. If work hasn't been carried out, then you should talk to your builder and express your concerns. Communication is vital in the relationship between the builder and the householder. If you do have a problem, the advantage of using a professional builder is that you can contact the FNB if you've got a problem with the building work that's been carried out, so that gives you the added protection.

What can I do if my builder has sub contracted the work to inferior craftsmen?

Well, you should make contact with the contractor, not the subcontractor, because that could lead to confusion. So you need to go back to the contractor first of all, to talk to them.