Services
Choosing a service provider means trusting someone with your post, your home or your work. Many people want a firm that answers when things go wrong and treats them fairly.
Services companies
747 companies
About Services
The Services category in the United Kingdom covers a broad set of businesses that do work for people and other companies rather than selling physical goods. It takes in postal and parcel carriers, paid survey and research panels, companies working on houses and gardens, recruitment and job boards, business-to-business and outsourcing firms, software providers, and a range of other professional and personal services.
Many of these firms reach customers through websites, apps and direct sales teams, while others work through agencies, referrals or contracts with larger organisations. Postal operators are overseen by Ofcom, which sets rules on universal service and complaints handling. Recruitment businesses in the UK are supported by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, which publishes a code of professional practice for its members.
Software and data providers in this market are shaped by the Information Commissioner's Office, which enforces data protection law. Consumer protection across the wider sector is set by the Competition and Markets Authority and the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which apply to most service contracts agreed between businesses and individuals.
Questions about Services
How do I choose a reliable company in the services category?
Start by checking that the company is registered with Companies House and that it states its trading name, registered address and company number on its website. Confirm that any professional body membership, such as the Chartered Trading Standards Institute or a relevant trade association, can be verified directly with that body.
What should I compare before signing up for a service?
Compare the total cost, the length of any minimum contract, the notice period needed to cancel, and what happens to your data at the end of the agreement. Check whether the service is covered by a complaints scheme and which regulator oversees it.
Do I have a right to cancel a service I bought online?
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have a 14-day cancellation period for most services bought online or by phone, starting from the day the contract is made. For services, the period can end early if you ask the provider to begin the service within the cancellation window and they do so.
How do I cancel a contract with a services company?
Check your contract for the cancellation method and notice period, then send written notice by email or post and keep a copy with the date. If the company does not confirm the cancellation, follow up in writing and cite the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and your contract terms.
What are my rights if a service is not carried out properly?
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services must be performed with reasonable care and skill, at a reasonable price and within a reasonable time if no time was agreed. If they are not, you can ask the provider to put it right, then seek a price reduction or a refund if they fail to do so.
What should I do if a postal or parcel service loses or damages my item?
Contact the courier or postal provider first and make a formal claim using their stated process, keeping proof of postage, the item's value and any packaging photos. If the provider refuses or does not respond within a reasonable time, escalate to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Royal Mail items or the relevant ombudsman for other carriers.
How do I make a formal complaint to a services company?
Write to the company's customer complaints team with your order details, what went wrong and what outcome you want, and set a reasonable deadline for a response. If the matter is not resolved, use the company's approved alternative dispute resolution scheme or the relevant ombudsman, such as the Financial Ombudsman Service for financial services or the Communications Ombudsman for telecoms.
Which regulators protect consumers in the services sector in the UK?
The Competition and Markets Authority enforces consumer law across many sectors, while local Trading Standards services handle breaches locally. Ofcom regulates communications and postal services, the Financial Conduct Authority regulates financial services, and the Information Commissioner's Office enforces data protection rules.
Are survey and panel sites that pay members legitimate?
Check whether the company is registered with Companies House and whether it displays clear terms on how and when rewards are paid. Under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, it must not mislead you about the rewards or the time a survey will take.
What should I look for in reviews of services companies?
Look for reviews that describe specific events, such as dates, the names of the services used and how the company responded to a problem. Reviews that repeat the same complaint over a long period, or that appear in unusually large batches, are worth reading with caution.
How do I check whether a company I'm dealing with is authorised to trade?
Search the company name and number on the Companies House register to confirm it is active and to see who the directors are. For regulated activities, check the Financial Conduct Authority register or the relevant professional body's public directory before you pay or sign anything.
Can I get a refund if a service company goes out of business?
If you paid by credit card for a purchase between £100 and £30,000, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 makes the card issuer jointly liable for a breach of contract. If you paid by debit card, ask your bank about a chargeback, which has time limits set by the card scheme and must be requested promptly.