Even with the best will in the world, things can go wrong in your dealings with tradespeople. If you can't resolve the problem directly with the company concerned, you have several other options:
- Contact their trade association – these organisations often investigate and mediate over complaints.
- If there is any dispute with your council over whether the contractor has complied with the Building Code, you can apply to the Department of Building and Housing for a determination.
- If there's less than $15,000 involved, you can take a case to a Disputes Tribunal. (The limit can be raised to $20,000 with agreement from both parties).
- If your dispute is large, you can take legal action – though the court process can be lengthy and expensive so should probably be tried only as a last resort.
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