What are my rights as a customer if a service was not performed as agreed?
May 13, 2023 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Hans Krüger
Dear Civil Law Attorney,
I am reaching out to you with a question regarding my rights as a customer in regards to a service that was not provided as agreed. My name is Edith Reimann and I recently utilized a service where there were issues.
The situation is as follows: I hired a contractor to renovate my bathroom. We signed a contract in which all services, costs, and deadlines were outlined. However, the work was not carried out as agreed. There were delays, poor workmanship, and the end result was unsatisfactory.
My concerns now are that as a customer, I am at a disadvantage and did not receive the quality and service that I paid for. I am wondering what rights I have in this situation and what options I have to assert my rights as a customer. Can I demand a reduction in the price? Or even compensation?
Therefore, I ask for your advice and support to understand what legal steps I can take as a customer in this case. I would appreciate a thorough consultation to assert my rights as a customer and resolve the situation.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Edith Reimann
Dear Mrs. Reimann,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your rights as a customer in relation to a service not provided as agreed. I am sorry to hear that you had problems with the renovation of your bathroom and are not satisfied with the quality of the services provided.
In such a situation, as a customer, you have certain rights that you can enforce. First of all, it is important that you carefully review the contract you entered into with the craftsman. All agreed services, costs, and deadlines should be documented there. If these have not been met, it could constitute a breach of the contract.
If the work was not carried out as agreed, you as a customer have the right to request rectification. This means that the craftsman should have the opportunity to correct the defective work. If this is not possible or the rectification is not satisfactory, you could request a reduction in price. The amount of the reduction depends on the severity of the defects.
Furthermore, under certain circumstances, you may also be able to claim damages. If you have suffered a financial loss due to the poor work of the craftsman, for example, due to additional costs for rectifying the defects, you could demand compensation for this damage from the craftsman.
It is advisable to first discuss the issues with the craftsman and explain the defects and problems to them. If an agreement cannot be reached, you may want to consult a civil law attorney to assess your legal options and potentially take legal action.
I hope that my explanation helps you and encourages you to assert your rights as a customer. If you have any further questions or need legal assistance, I am at your disposal.
Sincerely,
Hans Krüger
Civil Law Attorney
