BuildingDisputeHelp

Free, verified resources for homeowners in a building dispute

Something has gone wrong with building work. Money is at stake, the builder has stopped answering, and you need to know what to do next — in plain English, with sources you can check. Everything on this site links to official public data: government guidance, legislation, council Trading Standards pages, and approved trade registers.

Start here: Urgent Dispute Guidance

1. Overcharged or disputed quote? — Check your legal liability with our free Quote vs Estimate Dispute Calculator and read Can a builder charge more than a quote?.

2. Builder walked off or downed tools? — Do not change locks before serving formal notice. Follow the Notice to Resume protocol to avoid counterclaims.

3. Bad workmanship? — Understand your rights under Section 49 CRA 2015 and how to compile a Scott Schedule in our guide on How to sue a builder for bad workmanship.

4. Deposit refused? — Cancelled job or no start? Check the 14-day cancellation rules and chargeback options in our guide on Recovering an unpaid builder deposit.

5. Report rogue trading — Learn How to report a builder to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer service (0808 223 1133).

6. Small Claims Track — For claims up to £10,000 in England & Wales, follow our Small Claims Court step-by-step guide.

Council Trading Standards directory

Verified contact routes for reporting a rogue builder, council by council. More councils are added after each verification wave — only councils whose official pages we have checked are listed.

Before you hire: check the builder

The cheapest dispute is the one you never have. Every trade register below is free to search.

County court claim fees (England & Wales)

From the official GOV.UK court fees page (verified 2026-09-03).

Claim amountFee
Up to £300£35
£300.01 to £500£50
£500.01 to £1,000£70
£1,000.01 to £1,500£80
£1,500.01 to £3,000£115
£3,000.01 to £5,000£205
£5,000.01 to £10,000£455
£10,000.01 to £200,0005% of the claim
More than £200,000£10,000

You may be able to get help with fees (form EX160) if you have a low income, and you can usually claim the fee back from the defendant if you win.

Independent & not legal advice. BuildingDisputeHelp is an independent consumer information directory. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to HMCTS, gov.uk, Trading Standards, any council, or any trade body. We do not provide legal advice or legal representation. For complex disputes (especially over £25,000), consult an SRA-regulated solicitor.