How to complain about a builder in Glasgow 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 Glasgow 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

Glasgow City Council Trading Standards

Glasgow City Council Trading Standards pages confirmed on glasgow.gov.uk. In Scotland, consumer advice is available from Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000, consumeradvice.scot); Trading Standards complaints can also be passed via Citizens Advice Scotland bureaux. The council's Trading Standards page: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/tradingstandards (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.glasgow.gov.uk/article/3990/Trading-Standards-and-Enforcement.

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.glasgow.gov.uk/tradingstandards (verified 2026-09-03).

Reviewed by Sean McNamara · 2026-09-03 · Independent information directory — not legal advice.