Cowboys & Rogue Trades People
Rogue Tradespeople Are Not Welcome on SimplyTrades.co.uk
At SimplyTrades, we are committed to maintaining a trusted community of skilled tradespeople and satisfied customers. Rogue tradespeople—those who engage in substandard, dishonest, or unsafe practices—undermine this trust and jeopardise the safety and satisfaction of our users. We exclude rogue tradespeople to ensure that every project is completed with professionalism, integrity, and excellence, preserving our platform’s reputation as a reliable marketplace for quality trades services.
A Guide To Making A Complaint
Here are the six main points you should note down:
-
Details Of The Complaint:
Description of the Issue: Clearly describe what work was done and what the specific issues are. Include details of how the work is not up to standard.
Timeline: Document when the work was started, any crucial milestones or dates, and when you noticed the problems. -
Gather Evidence:
Photographs/Videos: Take clear photos or videos of the problem areas to support your complaint visually.
Documentation: Keep copies of any contracts, quotes, invoices, receipts, and communications (emails, texts, letters) with the tradesperson. -
Attempts To Resolve Issues:
Record of Communication: Note all attempts to communicate with the tradesperson about the issues, including dates, content of conversations or messages.
Responses Received: Document how the tradesperson has responded to your concerns or complaints. -
Desired Outcome:
Resolution Sought: Clearly state what you would like to happen next, whether it's a repair, a refund, or compensation.
Deadline: Provide a reasonable deadline for the tradesperson to respond or take action. -
Impact:
Consequences of Poor Work: Describe how the substandard work has affected you, such as additional costs, inconvenience, or potential safety issues.
Financial Impact: Detail any extra expenses incurred due to the poor skill sets. -
Further Action:
Escalation Plans: Outline what steps you plan to take if the tradesperson does not resolve the issue to your satisfaction, such as contacting a trade association, using a dispute resolution service, or taking legal action.
Legal Advice: Mention if you have sought legal advice or if you plan to do so.
Zero Tolerance for Rogue Trades on SimplyTrades
SimplyTrades enforces a zero-tolerance policy toward rogue tradespeople and underperforming advertisers who misrepresent their skills. We take all complaints seriously and thoroughly investigate every issue. Those who operate in dishonest, substandard, or unsafe practices will be ejected from our platform. This ensures that SimplyTrades remains a reliable marketplace where customers can find skilled and trustworthy tradespeople for their projects.
Protect Yourself, Create A Legally Binding Contract FREE with Tradeshake®
SimplyTrades.co.uk advises customers to use Tradeshake®, a trusted online platform for managing agreements with tradespeople, before starting any work. This ensures both parties are clear on the scope of the project, timelines, and costs, reducing the risk of disputes or misunderstandings. Tradeshake® provides a transparent and secure way to create and store agreements, helping to protect customers from rogue traders and ensuring a smooth working relationship.
Homeowners should note that their first contract with Tradeshake® is completely free, making it a no-cost, practical step to ensure clarity and protection before commencing any work.
Using Tradeshake® also provides several legal benefits in disputes between customers and tradespeople:
Clear Documentation: Tradeshake® creates legally binding agreements that outline the scope of work, costs, and timelines. These documents can serve as clear evidence in the event of a dispute.
Accountability: By formalising the terms of the project, both parties are held accountable for their obligations, reducing ambiguity.
Dispute Resolution: Tradeshake® agreements often include dispute resolution clauses, which can guide parties in resolving issues amicably without escalating to legal action.
Protection Against Claims: Having a detailed, signed agreement helps prevent false claims or misinterpretations of verbal agreements, providing a strong defence in legal proceedings.
Enforceability: In cases of non-compliance or breach of contract, Tradeshake® agreements can be used in court to enforce terms or seek compensation.
Professionalism: The use of a formal platform like Tradeshake® demonstrates due diligence, which can strengthen a party’s position in disputes.