LAST month the City of York Trading Standards Consumer Advice team received about 700 new consumer complaints and inquiries.

As always, a variety of different goods and services were involved, and a number of different problems were encountered by consumers.

The largest area of complaint concerned home maintenance and improvements. Below are some typical problems, together with the advice/help given by us.

ONE York resident had ordered a new kitchen, which was supplied and fitted in July. Although the cupboards and worktops were of good quality the purchaser was unhappy with the work of the fitter sent to install kitchen. He left a large gap around the cupboard door hinges and three unit drawers would not close.

The consumer had written to the trader, but had not received a response and was getting nowhere, so contacted Trading Standards.

A consumer advice officer telephoned the trader and spoke to the manager who arranged to inspect the installation. As a result within a very short time a replacement door was fitted and the other problems rectified.

AN OLDER couple contacted Consumer Advice about some roofing work which had been carried out at a cost of £300. Their house was a two-bedroom, semi-detached property and all that had been done was some work clearing out the guttering and replacing two roof tiles. The work had taken 30 minutes, and the trader had been paid in full. Unfortunately, this is a common complaint that we hear about all too often. In law where a price for work has not been agreed in advance a customer should only pay a "reasonable" price for the job.

If the amount demanded at the end of the work is in excess of the usual trade rate for the work a consumer can refuse to pay the excessive charge. However, once the work is paid for, the contract is concluded and a consumer cannot claim money back, unless they paid under protest, confirming that in writing at the time. We would urge all consumers to check with at least three traders before agreeing to have work carried out and to compare the costs involved.

ANOTHER couple visited our offices with a written agreement detailing double glazing to be fitted to their home. Despite the inclusion of pictures and confirmation that patterned stained glass was to be put in all opening windows, when they returned from their summer holiday, the job was complete, but there was no stained glass in any of the windows.

They had contacted the business who had apologised and agreed to have the correct glass put in the next day. Three weeks later they were still waiting. Following our advice the couple drafted a letter to the trader, using our self-help pack and giving 14 days for the problem to be rectified.

We wait to hear if they have resolved the problem or to see if they come back for further help.

Updated: 08:46 Thursday, September 19, 2002