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Building Disputes

ON YOUR SIDE IN BUILDING DISPUTES

Hiring the right builder to work on your home is an important decision. When everything goes well, all the inevitable dust and disruption are soon forgotten as you settle into your newly-improved home. But when building works go wrong – on an extension, a loft conversion, a conservatory, or a new kitchen or bathroom – they often go very wrong, and very quickly stress and frustration, as well as costs, can spiral out of control.

HAVING A CONTRACT CAN HELP

Ideally, your written contract will clearly set out the significant conditions of the work to be done, such as dates, costs, and materials – if not, as a starting point, the terms of your original agreement must be established in detail.

With or without a watertight contract, if you find yourself facing a potential building dispute, whether your job is big or small it is best to tackle the problem head-on – and fast. The earlier you flag a problem, the more easily it can usually be resolved.

RESOLVING DISPUTES WITH YOUR BUILDER

Your first step should be to speak with your builder directly but, if your discussions fail to find a solution, you can rely on us for whatever help you require in order to resolve the situation. In some cases, it takes nothing more than a carefully-crafted solicitor’s letter to remind your builder of the contractual obligations governing the work.

However, if a more robust approach is called for, our experienced dispute resolution legal team will be on your side throughout. We will strive to resolve your dispute swiftly and efficiently through negotiation, mediation and arbitration as alternatives to a court application. However, if it proves impossible to reach an out-of-court agreement, our team will seek redress in court, representing your best interests as cost-effectively as possible.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION SPECIALISTS AT YOUR SERVICE

Whatever the nature of your building dispute, we are on your side.

From start to finish, our knowledgeable team will advise you on the most appropriate and cost-effective course of action – we are passionate about preserving your best interests and striving to achieve your best-possible outcome.

Whenever possible, we will seek to resolve your case without the distress and expense of going to court and, by communicating regularly and in plain English, we will make sure you remain firmly in control of the process every step of the way.

George Ide LLP. We're on your side

WHY CHOOSE US?

Our dispute resolution lawyers have a wealth of experience in all manner of disputed matters. We pride ourselves on getting to know our clients personally and forging the strong relationships we believe are essential in order to represent your best interests in everything we do.

You can count on us for consistently excellent top-quality advice and support at all times and, as a valued client of our leading full-service law firm, you will have access to extensive and dependable legal and financial expertise from professionals you already know you can trust.

GETTING STARTED

If you anticipate a disagreement with your builder or your building project has already hit problems – or if you need legal advice and support in an ongoing dispute – contact us as soon as possible.

Our residential property department also offers comprehensive conveyancing services for clients buying or selling their home; our top-flight commercial property lawyers offer a wide range of commercial property services encompassing business advice and commercial landlord and tenant dispute resolution; in addition, you can count on George Ide’s fully-qualified financial advisors for high-quality and dependable investment advice.

To find out how our expert dispute resolution team can help, call us on 01243 786668 or click here. Alternatively, you can email us at info@georgeide.co.uk or contact us directly using the details shown.

Contact our dispute resolution team

For further information about any of our services or to book a no-obligation consultation, call us on 01243 786668, email the dispute resolution team at info@georgeide.co.uk, click here, or contact us directly using the details shown.

Mark Robertson | Head of Dispute Resolution

Dispute Resolution

01243 971549 mark.robertson@georgeide.co.uk

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Paul Lewis | Partner

Dispute Resolution

01243 812408 paul.lewis@georgeide.co.uk

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Ian Oliver | Partner

Dispute Resolution, Compliance Officer, Legal Practice (COLP)

01243 812421 ian.oliver@georgeide.co.uk

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Zoë Halliday | Paralegal

Litigation and Family

01243 786 668 zoë.halliday@georgeide.co.uk

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Client Testimonials

Ian Oliver and Paul Lewis of George Ide Solicitors, and their appointed barrister, were outstanding in helping us defend an HMO licensing prosecution by a local authority. This was a complex matter which should never have been taken to trial by the local authority. However, thanks to the care, knowledge and tenacity shown by George Ide, the correct judgment was given. Thanks again for guiding us through this stressful experience.

Ian Wiggett, Pace Property, Lettings & Management Ltd.

Ian Oliver / Paul Lewis

Just to confirm the safe receipt of the settlement money into my account,and also want to take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work not just regarding the fee but also treatment wich help me getting in track with normal life after the accident. Again many thanks for all your hard work.

Mauricio Goncalves

Paul Lewis

I just wanted to drop you a quick email to thank you for all you have done for us regarding our daughter’s burn. You made the process a lot less scary for her so thank you for that and we are pleased with the outcome. Your professionalism and care for our daughter throughout was very much appreciated by us all.

Beth Huxley

Paul Lewis

On a personal note : Thanks for everything you have done, some may say you are just doing your job but the support you offered both in the structure you set up to get me fit again, as well as the emotional counsel you gave got me through one of the most difficult and frightening situations I had dealt with to date. I will certainly be highly recommending you to anyone else that needs such a service. You are a great asset to the firm and hope they know that!

Simon Horn

Paul Lewis

I would just like to thank you for all your hard work in settling my father’s case and in coming to an agreeable settlement with the insurers. Thank you for being so patient with us, and taking time to explain things in layman’s terms. You have led us through this process with ease and my father is very happy to have reached a conclusion in this matter . All your efforts are very much appreciated. Wishing you all the best.

Nancy Ackermann

Paul Lewis

Hello Paul. The money has arrived safely thanks. May I say a very big thank you for your excellent service on this case you have been incredibly upfront and honest and have dealt with my case with superb attentiveness. It was frustrating for me at times as it took a long time to get it concluded, but I do appreciate the effort on your part. Many thanks again.

Luke Leleu

Paul Lewis

Thank you for all your effort and excellent advice and work in this matter. It’s very much appreciated and I will certainly use you and your firm again in the future should I require legal services.

Roger Koep

Paul Lewis

On April 9th 2010 it was my turn to be involved in a traffic accident with an uninsured driver. Although my injury was only a minor back injury, I wanted to be able to claim some sort of compensation if only for some treatment of physiotherapy. George Ide LLP, appointed by my insurance company, have been absolutely superb in representing my claim for personal injury against the Motor Insurance Bureau. With the expertise of Paul Lewis, Head of Accident Management, he has managed to increase the original offer made by the MIB almost threefold. It has been a long process, as Paul advised from the outset, but has been worthwhile and rewarding. I do hope that I do not need to use Paul’s expertise ever again, but know that if I do I would be in the hands of a very capable and friendly team.

Ms H

Paul Lewis

Thank you very much for your email. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all your advice and perseverance, especially with regards to the final settlement. Both myself and my wife are so pleased that this matter is finished! We wish you all the best for the future. Kind regards,

Garry

Paul Lewis

I have received the final settlement cheque and I am happy with this. Thanks again for your services. You’ve been excellent in every way. I would recommend you to anyone. Thanks.

Fazal Mahmood Chishty

Paul Lewis

I must of course take this opportunity to tell you how grateful I have been for all your advice, assistance and counsel during the past difficult months. You have been demonstrably skilful, resolute and responsive in all aspects of dealing with my case. I have always felt in very safe hands and your experience shines through, knowing just how to procure the best outcome. I can’t thank you enough for getting me through this horrid and complicated experience. With very best wishes.

Linda Tudor

Paul Lewis

Thank you seems such a trivial word and yet without your tenacity, we would not be here today. For all the medical providers you sought out and your words of stability at each and every stage I cannot thank you enough. You will never know how much of a difference you have made, without your constant reassurance and steps of transition to medical assistance especially during Covid I know I would not be at this stage on my journey.

Michele Scott-Green

Paul Lewis