The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is warning builders to stop being so cut-throat with domestic clients, and has published new guidance for consumers telling them what contract terms are fair.

The sector generates many complaints about terms that attempt to restrict liability, and the OFT wants builders to be as fair and transparent as the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations require.

The most common types of unfair term found in contracts used in the home improvements sector include terms that:

  • Exclude or restrict liability for providing unsatisfactory goods and poor services, delays and loss or damage;
  • Exclude liability for breach of contract by placing time limits on claims;
  • Require full payment in advance;
  • Impose harsh penalties when the consumer wants to cancel a contract;
  • Exclude the supplier’s liability for oral statements made by its staff.

See the leaflets, called Having work done on your home: A step by step guide and Having work done on your home: organisations which can help at www.oft.gov.uk

Source

Construction Manager