Unfinished or botched work
We help you set out exactly where the job fell short of the quote you agreed to.
Get bad work put right.
A botched job and a contractor who's gone quiet. Forward us the emails and the quote. We'll read them, write back firmly and politely, and help you get it fixed — or get your money back.
Free check. Then a one-time $19 — no subscription.
Free to start No credit card Works with any email
app.ordealing.com/case/contractor-2026
Bad work — kitchen fitting
Opened May 30 · $4,800 quote
Overview Reply Chat
What this is about
The kitchen was fitted with units left misaligned and a worktop seam that's lifting. The $4,800 quote covered a job "finished to standard" — but the contractor now says a return visit is an "extra."
Apex JoineryMay 28
Job's complete — final invoice attached.
YouMay 30
Sent photos of the misaligned units and lifting seam.
Apex JoineryJun 1
Said a return visit would be charged as an extra.
How it works
From "that's not my problem" to a job done right.
1
Forward the emails and quote
Send us the original quote or contract, your photos, and whatever the contractor has replied with.
2
We pin down what was promised
We read the quote against the work and explain, in plain English, where they fell short of what you agreed.
3
We write your demand
A firm, polite letter asking them to put it right or refund you — citing the agreement and your rights. You approve it, and we send it from your case address.
4
We keep it moving
Contractors count on you losing momentum. We track every reply and nudge you on the next step at the right time.
What we help with
The excuses contractors use — answered.
"That's an extra" charges
Costs that were never in the quote. We help you challenge the ones that don't hold up.
Refusing to come back and fix it
You're often entitled to have defects put right. We help you demand it in writing.
When they go quiet
We help you escalate — a trade-body complaint, a letter before action, or small claims.
The reply
Firm where it counts. Polite throughout.
We draft a clear demand, grounded in your own emails — citing the rules and setting a deadline. The kind of letter that gets things resolved without a fight. You read it, adjust the tone, and send.
- Grounded in your actual emails and the figures involved
- Sets a clear deadline to act
- Ready to escalate if they don't respond
app.ordealing.com/case/contractor-2026
Your reply, drafted for you
Review and tweak the tone before it sends
Dear Apex Joinery,
The fitting isn't to the standard set out in your quote — the units are misaligned and the worktop seam is lifting (photos attached).
Please confirm by Friday when you'll return to put this right at no extra cost, as the agreement requires.
Professional Firm but polite
Save draft Send reply
Questions
Contractor questions, answered.
The contractor won't come back to fix their work. What can I do?
If the work isn't up to a reasonable standard, you're often entitled to have it put right — or to get money back if they won't. We help you set that out clearly and take the next step if they refuse.
They're charging me for "extras" I never agreed to. Do I have to pay?
Not automatically. Costs that weren't in your quote or agreed in writing can usually be challenged. We help you separate genuine variations from charges that don't hold up.
I paid cash and have no formal contract. Is it hopeless?
No. Emails, texts, the quote, bank records and photos can all establish what was agreed. We help you build the picture from what you do have.
What if they just ignore me?
You have options beyond waiting — a complaint to their trade body, a letter before action, or small claims. We help you take the next step at the right time.
Ordealing helps you understand and respond to your dispute. We're not a law firm and this isn't legal advice.
More ways we help
Stuck on something else?
Stop chasing. Start getting it put right.
Open your contractor case free. Forward the first email and we'll take it from there.
Start your contractor case