Because of the high chances that something may go wrong during building works it is vital that you and your contractor make it clear from the beginning what is required. This should all be written down and signed by both parties so there are no ambiguous terms. If a dispute does arise, some people will attempt to discuss this with their contractor. Generally the case will be that the contractor will ignore the complaints and avoid discussing such matters, as well as try and complicate the situation but changing the subject or claim no recognition of the problem. Nonetheless, contractors may go ahead and complain that their clients do not understand the situation properly and that it is potentially a difference of opinion as to what was verbally spoken and what each party actually meant. Which is why it is extremely important that a written document is drafted to show the requirements of each party and it is then agreed by each party before any work commences.
If however, the contractor does not wish to sign any written agreement then it may be an indication that this contractor is not to be trusted and employing another may be a good idea. It is wise to invest in a more expensive contractor rather than a cheap one, as you pay for the quality of work and it is said that a cheap contractor will actually cost you more money overall.
It is generally advised that you determine on the outset that you will be entering a legally binding contract with, as this will then allow you to see who you will be exactly to carry out the terms of the agreement. Contractors are usually sole traders or are in partnerships which are different from companies when making a claim against them in a building dispute and will affect the likelihood of recovering damages if anything goes wrong. If the contract you have employed is in a partnership then it is wise to ask for the partners details as well and always ask if the builders if they are insured and with whom before they start any employment.
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