WebMayJun2019

Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion | 25
Legal Matters
Give me a home, where
the buffalo roam
Words from Donald Reid, chairman at Mitchells Roberton:
In spring, our fancy often turns to thoughts of DIY. I paraphrase
Alfred, Lord Tennyson who clearly never emerged, bleary-eyed,
from the depths of a Scottish winter to find his home severely
needing some TLC. If you don’t fancy rolling up your sleeves and tackling it
yourself, the pointers below will help you avoid (and deal with) the cowboys.
Home improvements are an
investment. They can be expensive.
If you’re instructing a contractor,
chances are you’ve never used them before.
Getting a personal recommendation is
often not possible. A contractor might
have a shiny website and score highly on
mycontractoristotallyamazing.com but
how do you know where to turn if things go
wrong and what are your rights? Some basic
planning can help avoid or resolve disputes
later on.
Before works start:
√ Get a written quotation including details
of works, costs, any consents required,
arrangements for payment and dates for start
and completion of works.
√ Know who you are dealing with. Ask for
a business address (websites and business
cards often have only a mobile number). Take
a note of vehicle registrations. Ask for the
contractor’s bank details rather than paying
cash. If this scares them off, that should tell
you everything.
√ Do not pay upfront. Withholding payment
until certain stages of work have been
completed gives you bargaining power if
works are unsatisfactory. If in doubt, do not
be pressured into paying your contractor and
tell them you need time to take advice.
During and after works, you may be
entitled to compensation if:
X The contractor has not carried out work
with reasonable care and skill.
X Works are unsatisfactory.
X The contractor has been negligent.
X Goods and materials supplied do not
match the supplier’s description or are not of
satisfactory quality or fit for purpose.
X You have incurred additional expense
or suffered inconvenience because of a
contractor’s failure to do something such as
complete works within the agreed timescale.
In the event of a dispute:
• Always try to resolve the matter directly
with the contractor.
• If the contractor fails to rectify the
situation, their trade association may be able
to help.
• If those approaches do not
work, a solicitor can help you
obtain a remedy, though the
courts if necessary.
If Paul Neilly can help please
call him on 0141 552 3422,
or email pdwn@mitchells-roberton.co.uk.
Mitchells Roberton Solicitors
& Estate Agents
George House
36 North Hanover Street G1 2AD
0141 552 3422
www.mitchells-roberton.co.uk