House & garden
Hiring someone to work on your home or garden means trusting them with your space and your money. Many people want a firm who turns up when promised and does the job properly.
Companies in House & garden
109 companies
About House & garden
House & garden covers the trades and services that build, repair, decorate, maintain and improve homes and outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom. It takes in everything from plumbing, electrics and roofing to landscaping, fencing, painting, carpentry and routine garden care. Work ranges from one-off repairs to full renovations, extensions and new garden design.
The companies in this area are mostly small local firms, sole traders and family businesses, alongside a smaller number of national contractors and franchise operators. Most reach customers through word of mouth, local directories, trade association listings, online marketplaces and their own websites and social media pages. Many work on referral from builders' merchants, estate agents and property managers, who pass jobs on to firms they know.
Trades such as gas, electrical and some building work are regulated by statutory schemes and registration bodies, including Gas Safe Register and competent person schemes for electrical work. Industry bodies such as the Federation of Master Builders and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors set standards and run membership schemes that many firms join. Consumer protection law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015, applies to the services these companies provide, while the Trading Standards service enforces rules on misleading trading practices.
Questions about House & garden
How do I choose a good house and garden company?
Start by checking that the company is registered with Companies House and holds the insurance and trade memberships relevant to the work you need. Ask for written quotes from at least three firms so you can compare scope, materials and timescales on a like-for-like basis.
What should I compare between quotes for household services?
Compare the itemised scope of work, the materials named, the start and finish dates, and whether the price includes VAT and waste removal. Check the payment schedule and whether any deposit is required before work begins.
Do I need a written contract before a garden or home job starts?
A written contract or signed quotation should set out the work, price, payment terms and completion date before any work starts. Keep a copy of every document you sign and of any variations agreed in writing.
Can I cancel a home services contract I signed at my door?
Under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, you have 14 days to cancel a contract agreed away from business premises, starting from when the contract is made or when you receive the required cancellation information if that is later. The trader must not start work in that period without your express request, and you may need to pay for services already delivered.
How do I cancel a contract with a garden or home services firm?
Send a clear written cancellation notice by email or post stating that you wish to cancel and giving the date, and keep proof that you sent it. If the cancellation right applies, the trader must refund payments you have made within 14 days of receiving your notice.
What happens if the work is delivered late or badly done?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services must be carried out with reasonable care and skill, within a reasonable time if no date was agreed, and at a reasonable price. If the work is faulty, you can ask the trader to put it right, and if they do not, you can seek a price reduction or a refund.
Is my payment protected when I pay a home services company?
Paying by credit card for a purchase between £100 and £30,000 gives you a claim against the card provider under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Paying by credit card also allows you to request a chargeback if the trader fails to deliver, though the card provider decides whether to accept it.
How do I make a complaint about a house or garden trader?
Raise the complaint in writing with the trader first, setting out what went wrong and what you want done to resolve it. If that fails, use the trader's complaints procedure and, if they are a member, their trade association's dispute scheme.
Which regulators and schemes cover household services in the UK?
The Competition and Markets Authority enforces consumer law, and Trading Standards at local councils investigate traders. Trade bodies such as the Federation of Master Builders, the Guild of Master Craftsmen and the Glass and Glazing Federation run approved trader schemes with their own dispute resolution, and the Financial Ombudsman Service may cover finance arranged through a trader.
Can I take a company to court over a home or garden job?
You can bring a small claim in the County Court through Money Claim Online for amounts up to £10,000 in England and Wales. Before issuing a claim, you must send a letter before action giving the trader a reasonable period to respond.
What should I look for in reviews of house and garden companies?
Read reviews that describe the specific job, the quoted price and the timescale, as these show whether the company delivered what it promised. Be cautious where many reviews are posted within a short period or where the trader replies to criticism by asking for it to be removed.
Should I check whether a company has been investigated before hiring it?
Search the company name at Companies House to confirm its status, directors and any insolvency record. Check the trader's listing with the relevant trade body and look for any Trading Standards alerts or court judgments published in your area.
Latest reviews in House & garden
Slow to get a reply
Had to chase twice before anyone got back to me about the quote. Once it came through the price was fine and the designer was sensible…
Got the boiler cover
Bought the basic boiler cover through the site, signing up took about ten minutes and I got the confirmation straight away. The engineer…
The smart thermostat install
I signed up for the smart thermostat add on with my boiler cover last spring. The engineer fitted it in about an hour and set up the app on…
Decent but the sign up was a bit long
Went with them because a colleague had used them for a similar job. The service itself was good and the tradesperson was tidy and knew what…
Better than the big brand tubs
Compared with the big name whey I used to buy from the supermarket, this one has a far cleaner ingredient list and sits better in my…
Cheaper than a boarding kennel
Compared to a boarding kennel this was a lot cheaper and the dog got to stay home, so a no brainer for us. Sign up took a bit longer than…