If my renovation work has been badly done, what can I do?

Question

José Manuel Alburquerque · Accepted Answer

You can require the firm to put the defects right at its own expense and, if it does not, claim from it the cost of repairing them and any other damage it has caused you. If you have not yet paid in full, you can withhold the part of the price that the repair will cost. If the defects are so serious that the work is not fit for the purpose for which it was commissioned, or if the firm abandons it halfway through, you can also terminate the contract. Before calling in another firm, take photos of the defects, get a report or quotes and send a written claim to the firm that did the work. What you can demand For the firm to put the defects right at its own expense within a reasonable time. Whoever takes on building work undertakes to deliver it properly done, not merely to try. If it does not, the cost of having another firm repair them, supported by a technical report or quotes. A price reduction or, if you have not yet paid in full, withholding the amount needed for the repair and paying the rest. Refusing to pay anything at all is only justified if the work is not fit for its purpose. Compensation for any other damage caused by the poor workmanship, for example furniture ruined by a leak. If the breach is serious, because the work is unusable or the firm has abandoned it, terminating the contract, in other words treating it as at an end. You can then claim damages, such as whatever it costs to have another firm finish the work over and above the agreed price. If an architect or a building surveyor (the “aparejador”) was involved in the work, they are also liable for their own design or site supervision errors, even if the work was left unfinished. Before calling in another firm Take dated photos and videos of each defect. Send the firm a written claim by a means that records the date and the content, such as a “burofax” (a certified letter with proof of content). Describe the defects, attach the photos and give it a deadline for repairing them. Also ask it for the details of its liability insurance. Commission a report from a technical expert, or get at least two quotes, stating what is wrong and how much it will cost to put right. Without a figure, it is hard to make a claim. Do not carry out repairs or let another firm touch the work until you have that evidence, unless it is urgent, such as a water leak. If it is, record the condition of the work first. If the firm abandons the work, tell it in writing that you are terminating the contract before you give the job to another firm. When the work is handed over to you, note down in writing anything you can see that is wrong. Accepting it without complaint makes it harder to claim later for defects that were visible. Hidden defects can be claimed for when they come to light. If no agreement is reached If you hired the firm as a private individual, you can submit an official complaint form and ask for consumer mediation. If the firm has signed up to consumer arbitration, you can also request that. Since April 2025, the law has required you to try to reach an agreement before suing, for example through a written proposal to negotiate or mediation. A letter that merely demands payment may not be enough. If you receive no reply within thirty days, you can sue. If you are claiming up to 2.000 euros, you can sue without a lawyer or a court agent (“procurador”). If the work was done in Catalonia, the time limit for claiming against the firm is in principle ten years from when you become aware of the defect. Outside Catalonia, it is five. If the work has damaged a neighbour's flat, the neighbour can claim against both you and the firm. Notify the firm and your own insurer.