How to complain about a builder in Birmingham City Council
The short answer: complain to the builder in writing first, then report to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer service — it passes reports to Birmingham City Council. Enforcement is their lever; your money comes from the civil route.
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-03
Step 1 — Complain to the builder (in writing, dated)
One page: what was agreed, what went wrong (dated facts), what you want, a 14-day deadline. The full structure: letter before action. Keep proof of posting and every reply.
Step 2 — Report to Trading Standards
Birmingham City Council Trading Standards
Council Trading Standards pages confirm the team enforces consumer protection law in Birmingham. Consumer complaints are triaged nationally via the Citizens Advice consumer service, which passes them to the council. The council's Trading Standards page: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/tradingstandards (verified 2026-09-03). Complaints are triaged nationally: the Citizens Advice consumer service passes your report to this council.
Step 3 — Protect your money in parallel
Trading Standards does not recover money. In parallel: the money-back route map — card section 75, chargeback, then small claims.
Evidence while you wait
The evidence file — contract, payments, dated photos, full message threads. Project-specific: extensions, loft conversions, roofing, kitchens, bathrooms, driveways.
Independent information directory — not legal advice.
Sources: Citizens Advice consumer service; https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/tradingstandards (verified 2026-09-03).
Reviewed by Sean McNamara · 2026-09-03 · Independent information directory — not legal advice.