(If this isn't you, check out our Tradespeople FAQs)
If you've agreed to award your job to a tradesperson or accepted a quote, you have entered into a contract, whether in writing or just verbal. You can cancel the contract if the tradesperson has failed to meet their side of the agreement. You can still cancel a contract for other reasons, but may not be entitled to a deposit refund (see below for more on this).
When cancelling work with a tradesperson, we recommend recording a message to them through your Builderscrack job post, to keep a clear record. See this article: How do I cancel my job?
How do I get my deposit back?
If you've paid a deposit, your entitlement to a refund will depend upon:
- Whether you're cancelling the contract due to the tradesperson failing to meet their side of the agreement (i.e. a 'breach of contract'). For example, a breach of contract includes not starting the work within the agreed timeframe, or, if no start date was agreed, within a reasonable timeframe.
- What the tradesperson's refund policy is (check their Terms of Trade attached to any quote submitted through Builderscrack).
- If any materials have already been purchased for your job.
Consumer Protection provides further advice on deposits here.
If the tradesperson has become unresponsive after taking your deposit, please report it to Builderscrack and tell us if you're comfortable for us to reach out to the tradesperson on your behalf (we need your explicit permission to do so).
DISCLAIMER: Builderscrack is not a legal authority, and we encourage you to seek your own guidance from the Consumer Protection helpline and/or the Citizens Advice Bureau.
