Survey finds quarter of UK homeowners faced issues with recent repair work

A survey of 5,000 UK adults found that an estimated quarter of homeowners experienced problems with their most recent repair jobs. The poll, conducted between February 13 and March 4, covered households responsible for repairs and improvements. Some 4.8 million households dealt with issues ranging from unfinished or unsafe work to disputes with traders.

Around 1.7 million homeowners paid to correct earlier work or were overcharged, losing an average of £750.

Problems reported by homeowners Of those who faced difficulties, 10 percent incurred extra costs exceeding £5,000. More than a third, 37 percent, said the experience caused stress, while 12 percent felt unsafe in their homes. The most common problems involved energy-efficiency upgrades, room renovations, and external walls or roofing.

Citizens Advice recorded nearly 37,000 complaints about home repairs through its consumer service last year.

Barriers to resolving disputes Among homeowners who took action after problems arose, 82 percent encountered obstacles. One in five said the process took too long, 16 percent said traders ignored them, and 15 percent did not know how to escalate the issue.

Alternative dispute resolution remains voluntary, requiring traders to opt in. Twenty-eight percent of those arranging repairs in the past 18 months carried out the work themselves due to distrust, while 26 percent delayed or avoided repairs altogether.

Calls for regulatory changes Citizens Advice stated that additional checks before hiring traders did not prevent problems. It urged the government to review regulation of the sector, including mandatory licensing and wider access to redress. Dame Clare Moriarty said consumers lose significant sums, live with unfinished or unsafe work, and are left to resolve issues on their own.