Householders hiring firms to carry out home improvements should avoid paying cash up front, according to West Yorkshire Trading Standards.

At the most consumers should only be expected to put down a deposit as a "sign of good faith", they say.

The advice follows problems experienced by Darren and Julie Bates who last year accepted a £2,168 quote to take off and replace old rendering on one wall and to re-point another on the outside of their home near Cross Hills.

Mr Bates, a 26-year-old police civilian detention officer, said he paid Goal (Construction) Ltd boss David O'Brien £1,000 in advance for materials.

"They finished in August and on September 3, I contacted them to say the render they had put on had cracked all over from top to bottom," he said. "Every time it rains the water comes through inside the house - the wallpaper in our front room is held together with tape. Now he has said because we haven't paid him the full amount it isn't his problem."

The couple, who have two children aged eight and six months, have contacted the National Federation of Builders, of which Cottingley-based Goal (Construction) Ltd is a member.

Company founder Gordon O'Brien, who has now retired, said his son was in America but he added: " I do not like any complaints of any sort - we have a very good reputation.

"I have now arranged to go and see Mr Bates and I have spoken to almost everyone involved on the work. We don't know what has caused the rendering to crack - it could be all sorts of things, which is why I want to go and see it for myself. If we have to take it all off and re-render, then so be it."

A National Federation of Builders spokesman in Leeds said the complaint was being investigated.

A West Yorkshire Trading Standards spokesman said: "If you make an advance payment you are really relying on the firm's promise to do a satisfactoy job.

"If you pay only when the job is done and there are problems, you can withhold the money which is a form of lever for them to put things right.

"There are certain businesses where you have to pay up front but we would advise anyone to think long and hard before making substantial or full payment."

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