If you find your builder is taking longer than expected to complete your project, it can be frustrating. However, there are steps you can take to get things back on track. Credit: Altion Law Solicitors Write a formal complaint letter specifying the delays and demanding immediate action. Review your legal options with a construction attorney, such as mediation, arbitration, or filing a court claim. Document all delays and communications. Contact authorities if the builder disappears or structural issues arise. Take prompt legal action to protect your rights. If you are facing unjustified delays on a construction project, it is imperative to take legal action right away. Writing a formal complaint letter is the first step, but be prepared to enforce your rights through mediation, arbitration, or court claims if needed. An experienced construction attorney can advise you on the best approach based on your contract and situation. Acting promptly helps demonstrate you will not tolerate excessive delays. The first thing to do is review your contract. This should outline the agreed completion date. If the builder has breached this, they are in violation of the agreement. Make sure you understand any clauses about delays or extensions of time. This will strengthen your position when raising the issue. With your contract in hand, write to the builder confirming the agreed completion date. Politely state that time is of the essence and ask them to explain the delay and provide a new finish date. Include any evidence you have, like dated photographs, showing work is behind schedule. Make clear you expect them to accelerate work to meet the original date or provide compensation. If the reply is unsatisfactory, seek legal advice on your options. Your solicitor can review the contract and advise if you can claim damages or terminate the agreement. They will also guide you on dispute resolution procedures like mediation if needed. Throughout the process, continue to document everything in writing and with photos. Be firm but reasonable in pushing for action. If the relationship breaks down completely, bodies like Trading Standards can assist if the builder disappears before finishing. The key is taking immediate steps to get the project back on track. Once you’ve reviewed the contract, your next step is to directly contact your builder. Set up a face-to-face meeting on-site to discuss the delays. Make clear you are unhappy with progress and want to find solutions. Listen to their reasons but don’t accept vague excuses. Ask what they will do to accelerate the work. Can they increase staff or resources? Will they work extra hours or weekend shifts? See if overtime or additional payments would incentivise them to speed up. Get firm commitments on new deadlines for each stage. If other trades or suppliers are causing delays, your builder should manage this. Don’t let them pass the buck. Make clear you hold them responsible for the overall timeline. See if penalties against the builder rather than third parties can be agreed if the new schedule slips. Follow up any verbal agreements in writing to avoid confusion later. If talks break down, formal dispute resolution may be needed. However, maintaining dialogue and pushing for action is often the best way to get a project back on track quickly. If discussions with your builder fail to resolve delays, the next step is escalating with a formal complaint. Put this in writing, keep a copy, and send it by registered mail. Detail the project history, agreed completion date, where the builder has breached the contract, and the impact on you. Explain what you want – either the work completed by a specified date or financial compensation. Provide a reasonable deadline for a response. Say you will commence legal action if the issue remains unresolved. Your solicitor can help draft the complaint letter to ensure you present the facts clearly. Having the complaint on record starts a paper trail demonstrating you are taking reasonable steps to rectify the situation. If the builder ignores the letter or refuses to compensate you, gather all documentation and get specialist legal advice on taking the matter to court. For large projects, an expert construction lawyer is recommended. You may be able to claim damages for delays, recover any extra costs incurred, or even terminate the contract altogether. But the formal complaints process shows the court you tried resolving it directly first. Be aware that legal action can be expensive, time-consuming and uncertain. Weigh up the costs and benefits before proceeding. But in some cases, it may be the only way to hold a builder accountable for unacceptable delays. If your builder has failed to finish the work as contracted, you may have grounds to withhold or reduce payments. But get legal guidance first, as this step can complicate matters. Your contract likely has payment terms tied to progress milestones. If the builder hasn’t met these, send written notice you intend to pause payments until the schedule is back on track. Outline which milestones are incomplete, what percentage of the work still remains, and the amount you will withhold. Provide a new date for re-evaluating payment. State you hope a resolution can be reached to avoid legal proceedings. Withholding payment pressures the builder to address delays. But don’t make unilateral deductions as you may breach the contract. And if the work is partly finished, show reasonableness in what you retain. Be prepared for the builder to react negatively, even walking off the job. Make sure withholding payment doesn’t leave you worse off. Have a plan to get the rest finished if required. Seeking legal guidance protects you if the builder disputes reduced payments. The aim is to resolve the delays, not make the relationship more adversarial. If talks with your builder fail to get the delays resolved, legal action may be the only remaining option. First, review your contract and all correspondence with the builder. Identify which contractual obligations have not been met – missed milestones, quality issues, etc. This evidence will strengthen your case. Send a formal letter to the builder stating your intention to commence legal proceedings if the issues aren’t addressed by a specified date. Outline the contractual breaches and how you want them rectified. If the deadline passes, speak to a construction lawyer. They can advise if you have valid grounds for legal action and the best approach. Options could include mediation, arbitration, or filing a court claim. Be aware that lawsuits can be expensive, stressful and lengthy. Weigh up the potential costs versus what you hope to achieve. But if you have a strong case, legal action may be necessary to hold the builder accountable. Going to court should be a last resort. But the threat alone may prompt the builder to get back on schedule. Seek expert legal help to strengthen your position. Yes, you can take legal action against a builder for delays, but you must first review your contract and follow the proper dispute resolution process. Send a formal letter of complaint and seek mediation before going to court. If a builder fails to finish work without good reason, they are in breach of contract. You can sue them for damages, order specific performance to complete the work, or hire another builder and recover the extra costs from the original builder. Yes, if the builder has breached the contract, you can take legal action. Your options include mediation, arbitration, filing a court claim for damages, or seeking an injunction. Check the contract terms and consult a construction attorney. You can file a report with the police if the builder has committed fraud or theft. However, for breach of contract issues, you will need to take civil legal action rather than involve the police. If your builder is taking too long on a project, it’s important to act quickly to protect your rights. First, review your contract and send a formal letter of complaint specifying the delays. Seek mediation or arbitration to find a solution. Consult an attorney about your options, which could include suing for damages or terminating the contract. Document everything and contact the relevant authorities if the delays become excessive or the builder disappears. Taking prompt legal action can help resolve construction delays and get your project back on track.
What to Do if Your Builder Is Taking Too Long?
Key Points
Our Opinion
Check Your Contract
Contact Your Contractor
Issue a Formal Complaint
Withhold Payment
Take Legal Action
FAQ
Can I sue my builder for taking too long in the UK?
What happens if a builder does not complete the work?
Can I take legal action against my builder?
Can I report the builder to the police?
Conclusion
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.