Dispute Resolution

A fixed-price contract, a written record of every message, and a person to call on when something goes wrong.

The process

How disputes work

Four steps, both sides heard, and a written outcome at the end.

Step 01Window: Up to 14 days after completion

Raise a dispute

While the job is in progress, or within 14 days of marking it complete, press 'Raise a dispute' on the job page. Describe what went wrong. Your messages and the signed contract are already on file.

Step 02Response window: 3 working days each

Both parties respond

We contact both of you for your account of events and any photos or receipts. The contract asks each party to reply within 3 working days.

Step 03Review time: We aim for 3 working days

TradeWise reviews

A member of the TradeWise team reads everything both sides sent and may ask follow-up questions. We are a small team, so it is a person, not a process.

Step 04Typical total: Around a week

Outcome recorded

We write up what we found and what we think should happen: work put right, a price adjustment, or the job stands as agreed. Both parties get the same written explanation. Because TradeWise never holds your money, our finding is a record you can rely on with the tradesperson or Trading Standards, not a payment we make.

What we can help with

Our resolution team can step in when things go wrong on the platform.

Quality issues

Work not matching the agreed scope, substandard finish, incorrect materials used, or damage caused to your property during the job.

No-show or abandonment

Tradesperson failed to arrive on the agreed date without reasonable notice, abandoned the job mid-way, or became unresponsive after starting work.

Overcharging or scope changes

The final bill significantly exceeds the quoted price without documented, agreed changes to the scope of work through the TradeWise platform.

What we cannot resolve

  • Disputes raised more than 14 days after job completion
  • Arrangements made and payments taken outside the TradeWise platform
  • Pre-existing damage not noted before work started
  • Change of mind after work is satisfactorily completed
  • Normal wear and tear occurring after job completion

For matters outside our scope, we recommend Citizens Advice or the Trading Standards Authority.

Need to raise a dispute?

Sign in, open the job in question, and press “Raise a dispute”. It is available while the job is in progress and for 14 days after you mark it complete.

Our commitment

What we commit to

We're new, so we won't quote you satisfaction scores we don't have. These are the promises we can keep today.

14 days

To raise a dispute after completion

3 days

Working days to a first reply from us

Both sides

Heard before anything is recorded

In writing

Every outcome, to both parties

FAQ

Dispute questions answered

Everything you need to know before raising a dispute.