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General Training Task 1 — complaint letter: Builder's work at home — letter to builder. This page gives the exam question and a band 9 model answer, with the tone, opening and closing lines that suit the letter. Aim for at least 150 words in about 20 minutes.
A builder recently completed some work at your home, but you are not satisfied with the result. Write a letter to the builder.
In your letter, you should:
• Describe the work that was done
• Explain what is wrong with the work
• State when you would like this work to be completed properly
| Letter type | Complaint |
| Tone | Formal |
| Opening | Dear Mr. / Ms. [Surname], |
| Closing | Yours sincerely, |
Dear Mr. Fletcher,
I am writing to express my serious dissatisfaction with the standard of the work carried out at my property at 14 Willow Close by your company between 1 and 10 May, which I regret to say falls significantly short of the specifications we agreed upon at the outset.
The work involved replacing kitchen worktops and installing new tiling behind the sink. However, the tiling is uneven in several places, with visible gaps in the grouting, and the worktop seams have not been sealed properly. This is not the finish I was promised when we reviewed the quotation together.
I would like the remedial work completed properly by Friday 20 June at the latest. I am available on weekdays after 9 a.m. and can ensure access to the property. Please note that I have withheld the final instalment until the work meets the agreed standard, as is my right under consumer protection regulations.
I hope we can resolve this matter without further delay, as I have been unable to use the kitchen comfortably since the installation was completed.
Yours sincerely,
Strategy
Direct formal complaint to a contractor. Be SPECIFIC about what was agreed vs what was delivered. Bullet 3 should include a
clear deadline with a consequence (withholding payment, consumer rights action).
Common trap
This is a semi-formal complaint to a specific person (you likely know the builder's name) — use "Yours
sincerely" not "Yours faithfully." Reference the original agreement or quote number.
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