HANDY'S HINTS!!

Before You Instruct/Award The Project.
Check the professional status & references of any contractor/service provider that you are considering for your project.
(We can provide you with linksto all of the relevant professional institutions & trades associations!)
Do your research (thoroughly) before entering into an agreement for any expensive works - such as:
Building, Conservatories, Double Glazing, Groundwork's, Heating, Kitchens, Bathrooms - and such like!
Try to get several quotations or estimates. Estimates are usually taken to be a rough guide, whereas a quotation is normally a fixed price for the agreed project.
(Estimates can be altered after they have been agreed, but under normal circumstances - quotations cannot!)
The estimate (guide) or quote should also include VAT, or if not - list the VAT amount separately (if applicable!)
Check to make sure that the price you have been quoted includes all costs and that there will be no additional costs added.
Request a detailed written agreement (and make sure you get a detailed invoice on project completion).
Some professional institutions or trade associations may provide an insurance backed guarantee for their members, but - do your research.
Also, check out any extended guarantees that may be offered for any service or works carried out, also for any supplied domestic equipment.

Payment Up-Front.
Try not to pay anything "up-front" unless you really have to, but if you do (such as a deposit) - keep this to a minimum.
Another thing to bear in mind is - How you are going to pay for the completed service or works?
For example: Credit card payments, finance or even finance arranged by the contractor/service provider may offer you another avenue to claim against if the work is unsatisfactory, or if the contractor/service provider goes out of business before project completion.

Cancelling Your Agreement. 
Entering into an agreement with a contractor/service provider, is a legally binding contract.
Do not automatically assume that you have a right to change your mind.
Only in certain circumstances does the law give you a statutory period in which to cool off.
This is generally where credit is involved and you have either:
(a)  Signed at home, or (b) Contracts that are signed as a result of an unsolicited telephone call or visit, or contracts involving distance selling.
If you are unsure whether this applies to you, seek advice from your local Trading Standards.

If Something Goes Wrong.
If you find that the work carried out is unsatisfactory, or even if it takes far too long to complete - you may be able to pursue a claim for compensation.
When work is not completed on time or within a reasonable time, you can write to the contractor/service provider to make time 'of the essence in the contract'. This means that you set a specifically reasonable date for the work to be finished, after which you will consider the contractor/service provider to be in breach of contract and will be entitled to get other estimates, even sub the work out to "another", and also hold the original contractor/service provider responsible for the costs.
Note: You may have to go to court as a last resort to recover these costs and/or any claim for compensation.

Be Reasonable.
The amount of compensation you can claim for shoddy work - could be affected if you unreasonably refuse to allow the contractor/service provider an opportunity to "put right" any discrepancies. You should notify the trader (in writing) exactly what you are not happy with. List all of the specific problems that you consider to need redress and set a deadline for this work to be done. Also - give notice that after this time you will have no alternative but to get quotes from other contractors/service providers to carry out the necessary alterations and that you may consider suing through the County Court system for any remedial costs.

More Data Coming Soon...