The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said it has contacted almost 3,000 builders, contractors and home maintenance businesses nationwide, reminding them of their obligations under the Consumer Rights Act 2022.
According to the Commission, the home building and improvements sector was the second biggest source of complaints to its national consumer helpline in the first half of this year.
Issues reported included traders failing to start work on time, refusing to fix problems, or not returning to complete agreed jobs.
The CCPC said that one consumer reported paying €1,000 upfront for garden renovation work that was never completed.
Another consumer reported being charged €2,500 for electrical work after being quoted between €1,000 and €1,500, and claimed the job left holes and exposed wiring.
In a statement, Patrick Kenny a member of the commission explained how the CCPC have contacted and written to multiple organisations within the sector.
“Issues with the home building and improvements sector are consistently one of the biggest call drivers to our helpline and can be very costly to consumers.
“That’s why we’ve contacted various trade associations, and written to the sector directly, to remind them of their obligations and provided them with clear guidelines on their responsibilities,” he said.
According to the CCPC, traders must provide clear pre-contract information under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, including their contact details and the total price inclusive of Vat, or how the price will be calculated if it cannot be determined in advance.
They are also required to deliver services that meet reasonable expectations and match what was agreed with the consumer.
When a service does not meet contractual standards, traders must offer a remedy, it said.
The Commission said these remedies can include correcting the service, allowing the consumer to terminate the contract and receive a refund, offering a proportionate price reduction, or permitting the consumer to withhold payment.
The watchdog said that under the Consumer Protection Act 2007, traders are prohibited from providing false or misleading information, withholding important details about their service, or harassing consumers.
The CCPC said that it had issued clear guidance to the sector outlining these obligations and would take enforcement action where necessary.
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