CCPC Issues Open Letter To Traders Amid Surge In Complaints Over Home Building And Improvement Jobs

The CCPC received almost 1,250 complaints from consumers - prompting the regulator to issue an open letter to the industry and to write directly to nearly 3,000 traders nationwide.

Issues with the home building and improvement sector were the second biggest driver of calls to the CCPC in the first half of 2025.

The CCPC received almost 1,250 complaints from consumers - prompting the regulator to issue an open letter to the industry and to write directly to nearly 3,000 traders nationwide.

The watchdog reminded businesses of their legal obligations under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, outlining what traders must do when things go wrong and warning that failure to comply could lead to enforcement action.

Common complaints included traders refusing to fix problems, delays in starting work, and failing to show up for agreed jobs.

Under consumer law, traders must provide clear pricing, deliver services as agreed, and offer remedies - including refunds or price reductions - when standards aren’t met.

In once incident, a consumer contacted the CCPC after hiring a company to renovate their backyard for €2,500.

On the scheduled day, they said the trader arrived and worked for just over two hours, clearing the area in preparation for laying artificial grass. The trader then requested €1,000 upfront, claiming it was needed to purchase materials.

After this, the trader did not return, and communication became difficult.

The consumer said they followed up multiple times, but the trader kept changing his story about what work had been completed.

The consumer, left with an unfinished garden, described themselves as “devastated” and unsure of what to do next.

In another incident, a consumer reported that they had engaged a sole trader to renovate their bathroom. They stated that there was a verbal agreement that the work would be completed within five days.

However, when they contacted the CCPC, they reported that almost three months had passed, and the job remained unfinished. The consumer also reported that the radiator was unsafe, and the shower was leaking. They said the trader repeatedly promised to return but never did.

Another consumer contacted the CCPC after hiring a plumber to carry out work on their property.

They reported that the plumber’s work resulted in leaks in both the roof and the bathroom, and the bath no longer functioned properly. Despite multiple attempts to follow up, the consumer said the trader refused to engage or take responsibility for the issues.

The CCPC was also contacted following a consumer's experience after hiring an electrician to wire their kitchen.

The consumer reported that the trader did not initially provide a clear and transparent price.

After persistent requests, the trader eventually quoted a price of €800, or possibly between €1,000 and €1,500. However, when the trader completed the work, the consumer was charged €2,500.

The consumer reported that eight holes were left in their walls, and that wires were exposed. When the consumer raised concerns about the unexpected charges and requested the issues be fixed, the trader ceased all communication.

Consumers and traders can find further information at ccpc.ie.