Reviewed by Sean McNamara, 2026-10-07
Incomplete building work is the most common building dispute in the UK. The law is on your side - the contract (even a verbal one) and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 both require the work to be done with reasonable care and skill, and to a reasonable time - but your sequence of steps decides whether you recover money or just collect grievances.
Consumer Rights Act 2015 (services): work must be performed with reasonable care and skill, at a reasonable price, within a reasonable time. Breach entitles you to repeat performance or a price reduction. The Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 backs this for older contracts. JCT or other written contracts add notice-and-cure mechanics - read them before terminating anything.
1) Written completion demand with a deadline. 2) Letter before action following the Pre-Action Protocol for Construction and Engineering Disputes (which for homeowner claims is short-form but still required). 3) County court claim (under £10,000: small claims track; £10,000-£25,000: fast track; above or complex: consider adjudication for construction contracts or solicitor advice). Keep every step documented - the file wins the case.
Freeze the timeline in writing: one dated message stating what remains incomplete against the agreed scope, requesting a completion date. Photograph everything. Then check the contract's notice-to-cure provisions before escalating. The written record from day one is what tribunals and courts actually read.
You gain remedies progressively: damages for delay, the right to engage another contractor (reasonable cost recoverable), and for serious breach, termination of the contract. Termination wrongfully exercised is the classic mistake - get the sequence right or the claim flips against you.
Formal notice: letter setting out the incomplete items, a reasonable deadline (14-28 days typical), and your intention to engage alternative contractors at their cost if the deadline passes. Send tracked. This converts a stalemate into an evidence trail supporting your claim.
Document site condition immediately (photos, video, notes), secure the site, quantify work done vs paid, and issue the letter before action after one final deadline. Walking off mid-job is repudiatory breach in most cases - but confirm with the contract terms before treating the contract as ended.
For claims within the small claims track (under £10,000 in England and Wales): yes, typically - fees are modest, legal representation is not required, and documented cases with photo evidence succeed regularly. Above that, adjudication (construction contracts) or legal advice becomes proportionate.
General damages for stress are not recoverable in building contract claims - damages cover financial loss. Distress matters only where a consumer contract promised peace of mind (rare). Claim the repair costs, delay costs and alternative-accommodation costs where genuinely incurred.