What money is paused if I raise a dispute?

Only the money for the stage you disagree about. It stays held securely until you've sorted it out.

How long do we have to agree?

You and your builder have 10 working days to sort it out in the app. If you still can't agree, either of you can ask for an independent surveyor.

Can I release part of a stage?

Yes. If some of the work is done to your satisfaction, you can agree a part payment in the app.

What evidence do I need?

Photos, short descriptions and any relevant documents, such as quotes, the scope of work and messages in the app.

Who pays for the independent surveyor?

Each side pays half the surveyor's fee when the dispute is escalated. The surveyor then decides who pays it in the end, usually the side whose case isn't upheld.

How long does the surveyor take?

The surveyor reports within 21 working days of being appointed, or 35 working days for projects over £50,000. If they need longer, they will tell you why.

Does Renopay take sides?

No. Renopay is neutral. The money is released in line with what you and your builder agree, or with the independent surveyor's decision.

Does Renopay check the quality of the work?

You do. You check each stage and approve it before the money is released, and if you disagree, an independent RICS-qualified surveyor can decide.

Is Renopay insurance?

No. A dispute can only decide what happens to the money held for that stage. If putting the work right costs more, that's between you and your builder.

For homeowners

Pay your builder safely, one stage at a time.

You pay for each stage before it starts. Your money is held securely by our FCA-regulated payment partner, and released to your builder when you approve the work.

See how it works Send your builder a link

Already invited by your builder? Open the invite in your email to accept it, or sign in.

How it works

How it works for you

Your builder sets up the job on Renopay and invites you. Here's your part, for each stage.

1
Accept your builder's plan
Your builder sets out the job in stages, each with a price. You check the plan and accept it in the app.
2
Pay for the next stage
Before each stage starts, you pay for it. The money is held securely by our FCA-regulated payment partner.
3
Check the work
When the stage is finished, your builder asks you to approve it. Take a look, and raise anything that isn't right.
4
Approve and release
When you're happy, approve the stage and the money is released to your builder.

You can pay for one stage at a time, or several at once if you prefer.

Prefer to watch?

Your builder uses Renopay, in 43 seconds. With sound and captions.

Trust

Your money is held securely until you approve the work

Every payment is held by our FCA-regulated payment partner. If something isn't right, there's a fair, independent way to sort it out.

Safeguarded from day one

An FCA-regulated partner. Your money is held by OPP (Online Payment Platform), our payment partner, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
A safeguarded account. It’s kept in a safeguarded account, separate from OPP’s and Renopay’s own money.
Released when you approve. Your builder can see the money is there, but it’s released only when you approve the stage, or automatically if you don’t respond or raise a dispute within 14 days.

Payment services are provided by Online Payment Platform Limited (OPP), an Authorised Electronic Money Institution regulated by the FCA, Firm Reference Number 1003976. Read OPP’s terms

Fair if you don’t agree

1.Raise it in the app. Either side can, with photos and notes. The money for that stage stays held securely while you sort it out.
2.Agree a way forward. A fix, a part payment or sign-off, confirmed in the app.
3.An independent decision. If you still can’t agree, an independent RICS surveyor looks at the work and decides how that stage’s money is split.

Renopay doesn’t take sides. Each side pays half the surveyor’s fee when the dispute is escalated, and the surveyor decides who pays it in the end. See common questions

Questions about disputes

: Only the money for the stage you disagree about. It stays held securely until you've sorted it out.
: You and your builder have 10 working days to sort it out in the app. If you still can't agree, either of you can ask for an independent surveyor.
: Yes. If some of the work is done to your satisfaction, you can agree a part payment in the app.
: Photos, short descriptions and any relevant documents, such as quotes, the scope of work and messages in the app.
: Each side pays half the surveyor's fee when the dispute is escalated. The surveyor then decides who pays it in the end, usually the side whose case isn't upheld.
: The surveyor reports within 21 working days of being appointed, or 35 working days for projects over £50,000. If they need longer, they will tell you why.
: No. Renopay is neutral. The money is released in line with what you and your builder agree, or with the independent surveyor's decision.
: You do. You check each stage and approve it before the money is released, and if you disagree, an independent RICS-qualified surveyor can decide.
: No. A dispute can only decide what happens to the money held for that stage. If putting the work right costs more, that's between you and your builder.

Why paying in stages matters

Problems with building work are common, and getting money back afterwards is slow.

1 in 4

Of homeowners had a problem with their most recent repair job.

Source: Citizens Advice, July 2026

£750

Average lost by the 1.7 million homeowners who paid to fix earlier work or were overcharged in the last 18 months.

Source: Citizens Advice, July 2026

41 weeks

Median time for a small claim to reach trial in the county court.

Source: Ministry of Justice, September 2026

What it costs

Both sides pay 1% of each stage. The homeowner's fee includes VAT. The builder's fee has VAT added. No subscription and no setup fee.

Project budget

£2,000£250,000

The homeowner pays

£500

1% of each stage, including VAT

The builder pays

£500+ VAT

1% of each stage, plus VAT

For example, on a £6,000 stage the homeowner pays £60 and the builder pays £60 + VAT.

Get your builder on Renopay

Renopay starts with your builder. They set up the stages and invite you to approve them. If they don’t use Renopay yet, send them a link and we’ll explain how it works.

Want the full picture first? Read how milestone-based payment protection works for a UK renovation.

If your builder goes on to complete five qualifying projects on Renopay, you could earn £1,000. Referral terms.