How to complain about a builder in The City of Edinburgh 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 The City of Edinburgh 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
The City of Edinburgh Council Trading Standards
Edinburgh Council publishes a direct anonymous Trading Standards reporting form, plus an 'Edinburgh Trusted Trader' scheme for vetted local firms. The council's Trading Standards page: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/trading-standards (verified 2026-09-03). Complaints are triaged nationally: the Citizens Advice consumer service passes your report to this council.
The council also publishes its own route: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/tradingstandardsform.
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.
In Scotland (Scotland): claims up to £5,000 use the sheriff court's Simple Procedure and consumer advice runs through Advice Direct Scotland (consumeradvice.scot, 0808 164 6000).
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.edinburgh.gov.uk/trading-standards (verified 2026-09-03).
Reviewed by Sean McNamara · 2026-09-03 · Independent information directory — not legal advice.