Had to take Company to Court...........
I used Pete Smith and APS Home Improvements to complete a house refurbishment. He didn't start on time (over a week late), he didn't finish on time (two weeks late), the quality of his work was very questionable and he didn't complete individual specifications of the job as directed, he basically did what he wanted. He left the house in an unacceptable state, dried plaster on radiators, paint spills on new carpets, no standard of painting finish, holes in the walls and the stereotype cowboy builder attitude of 'it's not my job to clean up the mess I made'. The ensuing arguments over this job and the quality of his work ended up in Plymouth County Courts where the Judge ruled against Mr Pete Smith/ APS Home Improvements and I won, he was ordered to pay compensation and court costs for breaching the Consumer Rights Act and not using reasonable care and skill to a satisfactory quality.
If you still wish to use him after reading this, get EVERYTHING in writing before the start and make sure he sticks to what you want and not what he wants to do. Do not pay anything in advance apart from a small deposit, any reputable tradesman will only require money after the job is complete as they have trade accounts. Go over everything with a fine tooth comb after he says he is finished BEFORE you pay him, if your not happy, point it out and refuse payment until your happy. If he tries to change the specification during the job, get a second opinion, he will be trying to cut corners and do what he wants to do.....not what your going to pay for him to do.