How does Ask Joey Ltd’s mediation service help resolve building or construction disputes quickly and fairly?

Our mediation service is specifically designed for building and construction disputes, focusing on fast, fair, and affordable resolution. Our impartial mediators have extensive experience in resolving issues between homeowners, builders, and contractors. By facilitating open, guided conversations, we help you reach a win-win agreement—often in days, not months. This means you avoid drawn-out legal battles and expensive court proceedings. Both remote and in-person options are available, so we can help wherever you are.

What’s the process for starting mediation with Ask Joey Ltd, and what can I expect during the session?

Getting started with Ask Joey Ltd is simple: Contact us with your dispute details, and we’ll schedule a session—either remotely or in-person—at a time that suits you. Before your session, we guide both parties on what information to bring. During mediation, our neutral facilitator ensures everyone’s voice is heard and steers the conversation toward practical solutions. The session usually lasts between 2-4 hours, and if an agreement is reached, we'll document everything in a legally binding agreement for your peace of mind.

Is mediation with Ask Joey Ltd confidential, and will what I say be shared with anyone else?

Absolutely. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of our mediation services. Anything discussed during mediation remains strictly between the parties involved and the mediator. No information will be shared with outside parties, and if your dispute escalates to court, nothing said during mediation can be used as evidence. This safe, private environment encourages open communication and helps both sides find common ground.

How much does Ask Joey Ltd’s mediation service cost, and is it really more affordable than going to court?

Our mediation services are priced transparently and are far more affordable than litigation or prolonged legal disputes. We offer clear, fixed-fee packages for remote or in-person mediation, so you know exactly what to expect—no hidden costs. In contrast, legal action can cost thousands of pounds and take months or years to resolve. With Ask Joey Ltd, you can achieve a legally binding resolution quickly and for a fraction of the cost of court action.

What happens if we can’t reach an agreement during mediation with Ask Joey Ltd?

While most mediations we conduct result in a mutual agreement, sometimes a resolution can't be reached. If that happens, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the issues, and all discussions remain confidential. Our mediators can guide you on the next best steps, such as preparing further for court if necessary. Plus, by attempting mediation first, you show the court your willingness to resolve the matter amicably, which is often viewed favorably.

MEDIATION SERVICES – Ask Joey Ltd

WHAT IS MEDIATION?

Mediation is a method of dispute resolution where an impartial third party (the mediator) helps conflicting parties reach a mutually agreeable solution.

It's a lot faster, less expensive, and less adversarial than going to court.

REASONS FOR MEDIATION

PROJECT IS BEHIND

All builders should follow an agreed schedule of works and adhere to it, except in exceptional circumstances such as adverse weather or supplier delays. These situations are typically manageable. However, if delays are caused by issues within the building company itself, it is unreasonable for those setbacks to be passed on to you as the client.

COSTS SPIRALLING OUT OF CONTROL

Most tradespeople provide a quote along with a standard allowance—typically 5–10%—to cover unforeseen costs. While some variation is normal in the industry, frequent add-ons or a significant increase in the total cost can be a valid reason to initiate mediation. This helps prevent spiralling expenses and ensures you fully understand the reasons behind any additional charges.

THE QUALITY OF WORK

In most cases, people invest their life savings into home improvements—an investment not just in property, but in their family’s future. When spending a life-changing amount of money, it’s only reasonable to expect high-quality workmanship.

If at any point you feel the standard of work falls short or you're being met with excuses, we can assess the work and engage with the contractor to address your concerns. Mediation can help ensure that the work meets or exceeds the expected standards, providing better value and longer-term durability.

HARRASSMENT OR THREATING BEHAVIOUR

Unfortunately, we’re seeing an increasing number of situations where tradespeople come across as rude, aggressive, or even threatening. In many cases, this is simply the result of language or cultural differences.

We can step in as a neutral third party to help bridge those gaps, reduce misunderstandings, and create a more harmonious environment for both sides.

UNACCEPTABLE WORKING TIMES

Sometimes, tradespeople may impose unreasonable working hours and pressure you to accept them. While we encourage cooperation with your contractor where possible, we understand it can be difficult to communicate your concerns effectively. Most local councils permit noisy work between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday, and from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturdays

DIS-TRUST OR BREAKING PROMISES

Trust plays a crucial role in this industry. In many cases, you're placing tens of thousands of pounds—and your family home—in the hands of someone you’ve only just met. If a tradesperson begins to show signs of dishonesty or unreliability, we strongly recommend mediation before the situation escalates. Early intervention can help restore communication, regulate the project, and keep things on track moving forward.

UNREASONABLE REQUESTS

If your builder begins making repeated unreasonable requests, it’s often a sign that something is going wrong behind the scenes. Acting quickly through mediation can help prevent financial loss and stop the project from deteriorating further.

As part of the process, we listen to the concerns of both parties and work to develop practical solutions that benefit everyone involved.

THE MEDIATION PROCESS

AGREE TO MEDIATE
For mediation to be effective, both parties must agree to participate.
We can approach the other party on your behalf, or you may choose to seek their agreement before appointing us as your mediator.
GATHER POINTS OF VIEW
Mediation is necessary when two or more parties have differing accounts or expectations.
Understanding each perspective is essential to finding a path forward to resolve both parties problems.
FOCUS ON THE WIN-WIN
There is often common ground or a win-win solution that may not be immediately visible to the parties involved. As mediators, we are committed to uncovering and facilitating that resolution.
EVALUATE OPTIONS
It’s important that both parties are given the time to fully evaluate the solutions we propose & only agree when they are confident the outcome meets their expectations — not simply to just reach an agreement.
SIGN AGREEMENTS
Once both parties have agreed to the terms, we will prepare a contract variation for both sides to sign, formally documenting the agreement to provide clarity & protection in the event of any future legal action.

TYPES OF MEDIATION WE OFFER

REMOTE MEDIATION

We provide our mediation services remotely—via email, phone, or Zoom—which often proves faster and more convenient for all parties. In most cases, this approach delivers the same effective results as in-person mediation.

When terms are fully agreed upon, we will prepare a formal contract variation for both parties to sign—ensuring the agreement is clearly documented and offers protection in the event of any future legal action.

IN-PERSON MEDIATION

We begin by meeting with both parties independently to understand their perspectives and conduct a fair, balanced evaluation. If necessary, we can arrange a joint mediation conference to work toward a resolution.

Following our assessment, we will present both parties with a set of proposed options to review and consider. Once an agreement is reached, we will draft the necessary documentation for both parties to review and sign.

BEFORE COURT PREPERATION

If mediation is unsuccessful or you decide to take your tradesperson to court, compiling the necessary documentation can be time-consuming—and if done incorrectly, it may weaken your case or result in an unfavorable outcome.

We can handle the preparation of all essential materials, including photographs, evidence, and independent evaluations, to ensure your claim is strong and well-organized. In many cases, a properly prepared case file can even resolve the issue without the need to proceed to court.

(Does not include court fee)

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