The Consumer Rights Act

When you enter into a contract to supply services to a customer, you must:

• Perform the service with reasonable care and skill – at a minimum to the standard that any reasonably skilled professional in the same field would provide.
• Provide accurate information – any statement or written communication made to a customer about your business or services – such as quotes or assurances regarding outcomes or timeframes – is legally binding if the customer relies on it when deciding to buy.
• Charge a reasonable price – if you have not agreed a price in advance, you must charge a reasonable price for your services, usually comparable to what most traders charge for similar services.
• Perform the service within a reasonable time – if a completion time is not set, you must complete the work within a reasonable time, considering the service type and any other relevant circumstances.

Goods supplied as part of a service

If you supply goods as part of providing a service, those goods must also meet the relevant legal requirements for goods under the Consumer Rights Act.

For example, if you are hired as a central heating engineer to install a central heating system, you must meet obligations for both the installation service and the goods provided – such as pipes, radiators and boilers. You must ensure these goods meet the required standards, such as being of satisfactory quality.