Dealing With Cowboy Builders

Crackerjack Groundwork’s avoid like the plague they took my deposit plus additional monies for a wall and after 6 weeks of it will be Monday sorry next week etc., left me high and dry with rubble and no wall.

Furious - 10-Oct-24 @ 1:33 PM

I had a job to do on my house roof to clean the solar panels and guttering etc. to which I went through 'my job qoute ' and chose Tom Mason of TM property maintenance who did not do 50% ,of job agreed and, as I cannot go up ladders, told me he finished it and took my £700 and someone else pointed out jobs missed.I have tried to contact Tom but he never responds. What can I do?

Satnam - 8-Sep-24 @ 7:15 PM

Beware of GARY JONES. (Now trading as DBD in Liverpool 36 6HY) Traded as Jones Design and Build. Broke ground in October 2023, took 25.000. At the end of Oct he took another 25.000. The brickwork/shell began on November 2nd. Dissolved on Nov 7th, said nothing. Came back after xmas and took another 25.000 from me. I'm left with a pointlessbare brick empty shell. No money to finish it.

Andi - 31-Aug-24 @ 2:41 AM

a builder started our kitchen extension started on 4/12/2023, to date the job has not been finished 21/08/2024 and what work that has been done is of sub standard. We now have a leak with water coming through the ceiling also water coming in at the new door.

kay - 21-Aug-24 @ 9:24 AM

I had a company to block pave my front garden, I asked for a membrane which he agreed. I asked several times if the membrane was down and he said yes "don't you trust me, do you want me to pull it up to show you and ruin it all.I felt quite intimidated.The following summer lots of weeds came up and I started noticing patterns not lined up slithers of block inserted and concrete under the hedge and fence panel cemented in. It was also sinking in places.I put a bad review on checkatrade then he contacted me, telling me the job was perfect and if he lifted it up to find a membrane he would charge me.Another company offered to check the work theydug down and no membrane. He told me all the blocks would have to come up but he had since moved to Doncaster.He tried to arrange a young lad to come with him but no takers, three times set dates to come back and let me down.He then said he would pay another nearer company to do the work but told me the quotes were too high..I said he better come back and fix or I would see a solicitor.He then said oh you want to go down that route don't contact me again.I have phoned five times to be brushed off by his partner saying he would call me and he never does. This has gone on 2.5 years now. So the guy who inspected the membrane I asked to lay flags to the back garden. They looked OK to start with. They had asked me if I wanted stones which I declined. My conservatory and side of the house was sat in a swimming pool when it rained and on brushing water it flowed back from the patio.There were also quite a few loose flags especially on the patio where water did not pool. Also the gaps between flags were showing concrete and the resin was coming loose and out in places. He came back and cut the flags around the edges. drilled holes and put down stones which I had to pay £150 for but there seems great reluctance to provide my receipt, there were stones left which he took with him.There was also a cracked flag "oh don't worry I have a spare at home." He started to redo the patio it was a hot day. That night I noticed one flag higher than another and another not square. I videoed it and sent it then got a curt voice message. I was told I shouldn't stand on the flags that's why they've moved, you will cause air pockets and they will have to be relaid.I bet you walked on them the first time, and thats why they came loose, I said no I only let the dog out late at night, apparently that was not allowed either and a lady should walk alone in the dark. I was also told because I didn't want stones the water has caused the loose ones when the majority They have refused to come back and once again I'm left with a bodged unfinished job.I have recently retired and don't have the money to put either right and it has just ground me down,it is hard on your own feeling intimidated and frightened of builders..

Frustrated - 29-Jun-24 @ 5:58 PM

I had a company to block pave my front garden, I asked for a membrane which he agreed. I asked several times if the membrane was down and he said yes "don't you trust me, do you want me to pull it up to show you and ruin it all.I felt quite intimidated.The following summer lots of weeds came up and I started noticing patterns not lined up slithers of block inserted and concrete under the hedge and fence panel cemented in. It was also sinking in places.I put a bad review on checkatrade then he contacted me, telling me the job was perfect and if he lifted it up to find a membrane he would charge me.Another company offered to check the work theydug down and no membrane. He told me all the blocks would have to come up but he had since moved to Doncaster.He tried to arrange a young lad to come with him but no takers, three times set dates to come back and let me down.He then said he would pay another nearer company to do the work but told me the quotes were too high..I said he better come back and fix or I would see a solicitor.He then said oh you want to go down that route don't contact me again.I have phoned five times to be brushed off by his partner saying he would call me and he never does. This has gone on 2.5 years now. So the guy who inspected the membrane I asked to lay flags to the back garden. They looked OK to start with. They had asked me if I wanted stones which I declined. My conservatory and side of the house was sat in a swimming pool when it rained and on brushing water it flowed back from the patio.There were also quite a few loose flags especially on the patio where water did not pool. Also the gaps between flags were showing concrete and the resin was coming loose and out in places. He came back and cut the flags around the edges. drilled holes and put down stones which I had to pay £150 for but there seems great reluctance to provide my receipt, there were stones left which he took with him.There was also a cracked flag "oh don't worry I have a spare at home." He started to redo the patio it was a hot day. That night I noticed one flag higher than another and another not square. I videoed it and sent it then got a curt voice message. I was told I shouldn't stand on the flags that's why they've moved, you will cause air pockets and they will have to be relaid.I bet you walked on them the first time, and thats why they came loose, I said no I only let the dog out late at night, apparently that was not allowed either and a lady should walk alone in the dark. I was also told because I didn't want stones the water has caused the loose ones when the majority They have refused to come back and once again I'm left with a bodged unfinished job.I have recently retired and don't have the money to put either right and it has just ground me down,it is hard on your own feeling intimidated and frightened of builders..

Frustrated - 29-Jun-24 @ 5:55 PM

I've had the misfortune of being totally ripped off by a builder for over £10K. I found him on Checkatrader and they have compensated me a grand after their surveyor report. I want to take him to a small claims court but I am struggling to find a postal address for him. He's not on Company House and after hours of searching, I have found him on another trade person's job site but saying he's located in a totally different city. I've got his bank detail, mobile and name (ifit is his real name) so my question is, without an address what are my options in trying to get any money back?

Loz - 8-Jun-24 @ 10:51 PM

Beware of a roofing company called TECTRA ROOFING in Worthing West Sussex, my builder used them for my kitchen and lounge extension's, the lounge being a flat roof started leaking, upon inspection I could see that it was a bodge job! I got in touch with my builder (who was embarrassed to say the least) (Top class builder) and sent him photos, after a week of him continually contacting them I got a phone call from one of there workers called Rob who turned up a few days later to repair, after cutting roof tiles and using 2 of my spare tiles as he broke 2, he said it was done! It rained a day later and started to leak, I got back in touch with my builder. Once again Rob finally turned up after many missed appearances and excuses, this time he refelted the roof and burnt the facia! He said he would be back the following day! Was he hell!! He ignored my messages and calls! I got in touch with the boss of the company who put the phone down on me! My wife tried calling, he done exactly the same to her as well (Ignorant) I had a professional roofer look at it who remarked that whoever done this (Rob) is a cowboy! I'm now waiting for a price to put right!

JAC - 17-Apr-24 @ 6:00 AM

ESBP Specialists Ltd - The MOB that took over £36,000 from us for sub standard/dangerous/illegal work on a renovation between May and September 2022. They threatened us, they haven't rectified anything, offered £500 compensation if we'd retract a perfectly truthful review and ultimately blocked and ignored us. They have yet to supply certificates for rewiring and building works requiring steel beams to be used. Please share this far and wide. They come from Radcliffe, Manchester. The reviews on trust a trader and my builder seem fab - research further. If they threatened us about our review, you can bet they've threatened others. What a pity these crimes are left to the homeowners (who have spent their savings) to rectify/pursue themselves through the small claims court as we have contacted every council department and issuing authority,all the trade checkers and NOBODY CARES as long as the trader keeps paying the fees!!!!!!!!! I will never stop warning people about this mob of bandits and their bad/poor/dangerous work.

Barbara - 1-Apr-24 @ 12:10 PM

As a long serving member of Trading Standards, I wish to clarify to consumers who have become victims of a rogue builder. 1.There are NO regulations governing general builders in the UK. 2. Even if a Trading Standards authority were to pursue a successful prosecution resulting in a fine and/or imprisonment, the victim will not necessarily get their money back and this applies to any civil action if the builder does not have any money or any assets to liquidate! Although government are minded there is existing consumer protection legislation, this will not get you your hard earned money back. So do some very serious checks on who you employ to work on your home, do not become a victim, potentially having your home and finances totally devastated.

Enforcer - 13-Mar-24 @ 11:31 AM

ATTENTION: SCAM ALERT: Please refrain from engaging or hiring the following individuals for your construction or home renovation project: - Niall Connolly - Laura Walker - Abdallah Jaddou - Steve Chase - Ioannis Kyros - Ollie Chase They have a history of misappropriating clients' funds, neglecting worker payments, and displaying no commitment to completing contracted work. They are known to operate throughout the UK under different aliases, such as Laterem Group, NP3 Group, Laterem Eco Services, Dolmen Consulting, Comhar Group, BA Building Services. For additional insight, check their reviews on Trustpilot - just Google Laterem Group reviews

NW - 11-Mar-24 @ 7:24 AM

Beware of a joinery company based in west london called Estimus.I regret the day that our builder appointed them to do the joinery around our house.Cupboards and drawers fell of their hinges, items were built using not using the measurements provided and frankly two years later we are still suffering from the company doing nothing about any of it.They often come in randomly - get very rude and pretend not to understand English and are holding us to ransom emotionally as we know that if we don’t let them in (usually different people!) - they just wouldn’t fix things.We have had wardrobe doors and drawers fall on us as they forgot to put trackers and nuts and bolts and during their surprise visits to our property - they block pavements to do noisy joinery.Please do not use them!They add nothing but anguish to us and our neighbours and do not listen!!!!

JCW - 29-Feb-24 @ 10:51 AM

@wedny have been trying to reply to you - please email me. I can't seem to include the email address as it is usually written, which I guess is to prevent people giving personal details, but this is an address set up specifically for this conversation and I'll deactivate immediately afterwards. Find me at bon bah enfin at hotmail dot com - you will need to format it as you would a regular email address.Thanks.

LucyA - 18-Feb-24 @ 11:32 AM

Ted Bakali (Mohtade) has a history of appearing trustworthy, building relationships, appearing to be doing what is right until you put your guard down and he defrauds of you tens of thousands of pounds. This is our first hand experience. He works with a couple of business partners and one to watch out for is Nanase Kwabena (K) who have both opened up various businesses together and separately. The financial impact on our family has been the least of the effects as our physical and mental health also got affected. The loft works were undertaken by inexperienced men who have provided written confirmation that Ted advised them to do it using YouTube videos, the electrician had no qualifications and left our home at risk of fire, and not to mention the undelivered materials and money taken but very little work done. We were also faced with builders he hadn’t paid who he had lied to that we hadn’t paid him hence why he hadn’t paid them! When confronted he stopped constructive communication. The buildersalso showed us what appeared to be falsified CIS tax forms from Ted. Ted ended up letting one of the builders take a van, after legal pursuit, as payment. Another was not paid and showed up threatening violence upon us and we explained that Ted is the one that owed him (a simple google search will bring up the court case against Ted on this one). We also had police called when scaffolders he hadn’t paid pushed me and got on to our property threatening further violence on our children and property. We have photos and video evidence of damage to our property by scaffolder who broke the roof tiles (damage still existing) The man is alike to the Tinder Swindler on Neflix. I am sure if you confront him he will convince you that we are liars with a grudge. Please do your due diligence, look at companies house and all his other companies with unpaid taxes. He is intelligent and a manipulator. There was a recent court case with Howdens in connection with a house with new business partners for an unpaid kitchen and he did not show up.

Ice - 17-Feb-24 @ 12:45 PM

@wedny happy to! Not sure how to without publishing contact details… bear with me.

LucyA - 9-Feb-24 @ 7:46 PM

@Lucy A could you contact me ref TED BAKALI please

wedny - 6-Feb-24 @ 9:10 AM

Beware of a builder called Ted (Mohtade) Bakali and any of his phoenix companies - Prestige Construction Limited was the one we dealt with, but it's really just him.Textbook stuff: low quote, persuaded us to pay instalments in advance, pooh-poohed the need for contracts, employed underqualified workmen. Stretched 5 weeks of poor quality work over eight months, invoiced us for work which was never done, and strung us along using every excuse in the book, promising roughly every three weeks that work would restart.Ghosts your attempts to contact him, very slick at skirting around legal efforts to contain him. Avoid like the plague.

LucyA - 31-Jan-24 @ 11:11 AM

Beware of a builder called Ted (Mohtade) Bakali and any of his phoenix companies - Prestige Construction Limited was the one we dealt with, but it's really just him.Textbook stuff: low quote, persuaded us to pay instalments in advance, pooh-poohed the need for contracts, employed underqualified workmen. Stretched 5 weeks of poor quality work over eight months, invoiced us for work which was never done, and strung us along using every excuse in the book, promising roughly every three weeks that work would restart.Ghosts your attempts to contact him, very slick at skirting around legal efforts to contain him. Avoid like the plague.

LucyA - 31-Jan-24 @ 11:09 AM

GG property & development services sidcup. Very dodgy builder. Built an extension and lean too. Loads of leaks from pipe work. Asks for money upfront and extra money during job. Installed toilet and was unable to find the leak. Had to pay a plumber to sort leak. Left our gas in a dangerous way. Did not cap it off when removed oven. Built a lean too close to flu then told us after that we need to love the flu. Installed patio doors purchased from Leslie Easton windows and the doors have big gaps all around. They let cold air in. Neither George or Leslie Easton windows taking responsibility. George from GG property & development has now disappeared, won’t answer calls. Only gives 1 warranty on works and still received no certificate of works from building control.

Justsayno - 21-Jan-24 @ 5:07 PM

ROGUE BUILDER ALERT should you need a builder, be aware that FERM LTD owned by Christopher Morgan, are to be avoided at all costs. We can provide proof. We employed the above to carry out council grant work. He informed the council himself, he could complete the job within three months. He did not start the job until until there was three weeks left, took the initial deposit, put two people who have completely botched what little they did and he then refused to invoice the monies paid, return the keys to the house, return the deposit or to return the property to a liveable state. He has been reported to Trading standards, I have also taken him to court and won a County Court judgement of £18,538.86. Which he is refusing to pay. We where prepared to go back to court, with an order to attend so that Christopher Morgan could lay on the table, his income and outgoings to come to an affordable agreement that he could pay but he dishonestly ignored this. He has numerous occasions attempted to liquidate FERM LTD but as I was following him on companies house, I have been able to object and put on hold. His dishonesty has also left us in a position of owing an amount of money to another builder but of course he doesn’t care. If anyone wants proof of this statement. I can provide photographs and videos as well as these posted of this charlatan’s damage and dishonesty. He is hiding behind the fact, he is a limited company but as long as I am able I will be spreading the word, to avoid Christopher Morgan and FERM LTD! I shoul add when we first came to price up the job he told us he was awaiting his VAT number as business was so good. I kept asking for the number as the council would need it and to this day, it's in the post.

Avarich - 10-Jan-24 @ 10:38 PM

ROGUE BUILDER ALERT should you need a builder, be aware that FERM LTD owned by Christopher Morgan, are to be avoided at all costs. We can provide proof. We employed the above to carry out council grant work. He informed the council himself, he could complete the job within three months. He did not start the job until until there was three weeks left, took the initial deposit, put two people who have completely botched what little they did and he then refused to invoice the monies paid, return the keys to the house, return the deposit or to return the property to a liveable state. He has been reported to Trading standards, I have also taken him to court and won a County Court judgement of £18,538.86. Which he is refusing to pay. We where prepared to go back to court, with an order to attend so that Christopher Morgan could lay on the table, his income and outgoings to come to an affordable agreement that he could pay but he dishonestly ignored this. He has numerous occasions attempted to liquidate FERM LTD but as I was following him on companies house, I have been able to object and put on hold. His dishonesty has also left us in a position of owing an amount of money to another builder but of course he doesn’t care. If anyone wants proof of this statement. I can provide photographs and videos as well as these posted of this charlatan’s damage and dishonesty. He is hiding behind the fact, he is a limited company but as long as I am able I will be spreading the word, to avoid Christopher Morgan and FERM LTD! I shoul add when we first came to price up the job he told us he was awaiting his VAT number as business was so good. I kept asking for the number as the council would need it and to this day, it's in the post.

Avarich - 10-Jan-24 @ 10:37 PM

Cherwell Home Improvements - KEEP WELL AWAY. Suspect they are from the Travelling Community & trade up & down M4 - Reading, Swindon, Wilts areas. Gf contacted, CHI quick to respond to her phone call & came out next day, started on same day too-HUGE RED FLAG! 4 men -Tony Marshall, Martin,Joh (brothers) & Chipora. All work done by Chipora. Martin gave initial quote & Joh/Tony ‘advised’ Chipora. Cherwell caused extensive damage to whole front roof, left 50+ roof tiles loose, incorrectly laid cheap felt on top of old felt & laid battens on top of cheap felt! Battens go UNDER felt & are installed, not laid. Sealed ALL flashing (dormer window & chimney) with ‘Blackjack’ (impossible to remove) sealant & stole a section of lead flashing from chimney breast. Sloppily put wrongly mixed cement on front roof ridge OVER original repointing - since been told when first frost, it will fall off & also pull off any cement originally up there. 2 coats of ‘blackjack’ sealant put on dormer roof. It rained heavily after CHI left, loads dripped over roof edge, onto window ledge (thick layer) & several roof tiles below. After 2 days ‘work’, bullied my gf (repeatedly, by knocking on door) for £3k. Wouldn’t leave until payment was made via bank transfer-initially asked for cash/cheque. Five other roofing quotes, cheapest £5k. Front roof - original felt/battens to be replaced along with roof tiles with dripped sealant on, fitting loose tiles back, ridge repointing on BOTH sides (roofs NEVER have just one ridge repointed). Whole new roof needed for Dormer Window along with all lead replaced with code4 lead & chimney repointed. CHIcaused serious damage. Sealant is causing water to pool on Dormer roof, could collapse & fall into attic bedroom (where gf sleeps) if not immediately fixed. Where lead nicked from chimney breast-causing water to come in to bedroom-huge wet patch on wall, 1cm away. from light fitting, electrics could blow anytime soon. Wet spots appearing inside on bedroom ceiling form outside ridge repointing. Knock on effect for my gf, mentally & physically, has taken its toll. She’s having to move out as property unsafe due to aforementioned probs. They probably change names of company along with own names. Joh & Martin are medium set, dark hair, brown eyes, facial hair (moustache and beard). Martin is around 5ft 6/8 ins & Joh a little taller. Tony is around 5ft 10+, medium set, short mousey hair, clean shaven. Joh & Tony, well dressed, nice jeans, tops & trainers. Martin, ‘work’ clothes, scruffier jeans, jumper, jacket, boots & hat. Chipora, short black hair, brown eyes, skinny, Romanian descent., speaks hardly ANY English.

Matty - 7-Jan-24 @ 3:43 AM

Continued, . On 28th December 23 he texted me asking if we are home then he is coming to start the job so I said to him to come on 29 December with the roll of my felt and the raw materials which he said he purchased to do the work. Then in the morning today on 29 December he is asking me to send pictures of the wall which I said I have no strength to go down in the basement to click pictures because I am ill. I told him to come with my roll of felt and the raw materials to do the work. Earlier on the text message I had asked him for a refund and he said he purchased the raw materials. So he came today and wanted to get in to see the wall I don't know why. As I saw he did not bring in any raw materials or my roll of felt I asked him where are the raw materials and the roll of my felt but he only wanted to get in I don't know why. I did not let him as I don't trust this guy and don't feel safe and comfortable with this guy. So then went to his van and brought a small roll may be 1 metre in length and says that is mine and lying about it. I said that this roll is not mine and I have a pictures of my roll. I can't trust this person as he told many lies to me I feel cheated by him and am scared of him I am also very ill and had been off work for nearly 1 and half month now due to this issues, stress and my illness. He has texted me on my whats app saying that my husband and I bullied him which is not true. I am the victimised and scammed by this person He infact bullied us and wasted my time 3 months now and have scammed me. I feel that he is not a builder as the quotes are sent from residential address and not business address. I hope no one else falls trap to these type of scams.

Nisha - 29-Dec-23 @ 7:49 PM

A builder named Michael Cowen left my ceiling work incomplete after making all the payments to him. When it was raining there was all water coming inside as the roofing work was not complete. And inspite of fixing the dates for him to come and complete the job he was not turning up. From month of May 23 to end of September 23. So I put a comment on NEXTDOOR app in builders section as to what I should do in this case asking for advice. A guy called Steffen Holborow messaged me with his phone number and I contacted him. He came over and said that the whole felt from the ceiling needs to be removed as it was not done properly. I told him to give me a weeks time to decide. On the same day Steffen Holborow Kings Joinery Swindon pressurised me to pay him £500 to bring in raw materials saying that he will help me out. I was so stressed because water was coming in from the ceiling inside the house when it rains so I paid him £500 on 4th October 23 and the previous builder was not turning up to complete the work and my husband was down with a stroke. Then the next day Steffen comes and requests big roll of my felt saying that he needs to bring in the same type of felt because I already told him that I have felt with me. As I was hurrying to work so I was in a rush and did not think to tell him to take a small piece of the felt. So he tricked me and went away with a big roll of my felt. He walked away with a big roll of felt which I feel it is a theft. That same day Michael Cowen texted me saying that he is coming to complete the job. Immediately I texted Steffen Holborow not to buy any raw materials but since I paid him £500, I told him to do the basement work where the walls have damp issue. So he agreed and sent another quote for the basement work. He called me a few days later and said £500 is not enough but I need to put in another £300 which I did trusting him and I was stressed due to all this. After like a week he comes and strips a small lower portion of the wall and says that the wall is wet and needs to dry and left leaving all the mud in the room. After that he stopped answering my calls and emails. Then somehow he responded to a text message and the dates were fixed for him to come and do the job which he never turned back so I called the bank where I sent him bank transfers because I realised I am scammed by this person. The bank refused to help so I gave a complaint again in the bank on 27 December 23. So many times date fixed but he never turns up. On 28th December 23 he texted me asking if we are home then he is coming to start the job so I said to him to come on 29 December with the roll of my felt and the raw materials which he said he purchased to do the work. Then in the morning today on 29 December he is asking me to send pictures of the wall which I said I have no strength to go down in the basement to click pictures because I am ill. I told him to come with my roll of felt and the raw materials to do

Nisha - 29-Dec-23 @ 7:43 PM

Ideal in bathrooms We had a quote for bathroom remodel, looks professional, the quote listed all materials to be used but didn’t have any prices on each item only a final material figure and labour figure, he said work would be guaranteed for 3 years, I was a bit confused why there was no separate figures for each item on the quote as he said it’s 20% off , any way we put are trust in this guy Alan West from Wrexham, from day 1 he was a shambles, he obviously didn’t have a clue? About plumbing for a start , even the guys he got in for the tiles dot and dabbled them on , shocking , on the final day he threatened my wife , we where put in such a awkward position, we called trading Standards and they said we would have to email Alan West to put the problems right and if then he didn’t they could then act on it , we wouldn’t have this guy step foot in are house again so nothing happened, we have had a plumber in to re do everything, I could right a book on this experience, He then finished trading as ideal in bathrooms and started up as AW landscaping, he is now trading as AW builders at Oswestry in Shropshire, so keeps changing his name , This guy doesn’t go in cheap , looks professional and talks the talk , he changes into a different guy on day 1 , this is a warning to anyone in the Oswestry area , beware, Cowboy Rouge builder Alan West , apparently on the move from Oswestry to Gobowen

Swamp - 5-Dec-23 @ 11:42 PM

Cherwell Home Improvements - KEEP WELL AWAY. Suspect they are from the Travelling Community & trade up & down M4 - Reading, Swindon, Wilts areas. Gf contacted, CHI quick to respond to her phone call & came out next day, started on same day too-HUGE RED FLAG! 4 men -Tony Marshall, Martin,Joh (brothers) & Chipora. All work done by Chipora. Martin gave initial quote & Joh/Tony ‘advised’ Chipora. Cherwell caused extensive damage to whole front roof, left 50+ roof tiles loose, incorrectly laid cheap felt on top of old felt & laid battens on top of cheap felt! Battens go UNDER felt & are installed, not laid. Sealed ALL flashing (dormer window & chimney) with ‘Blackjack’ (impossible to remove) sealant & stole a section of lead flashing from chimney breast. Sloppily put wrongly mixed cement on front roof ridge OVER original repointing - since been told when first frost, it will fall off & also pull off any cement originally up there. 2 coats of ‘blackjack’ sealant put on dormer roof. It rained heavily after CHI left, loads dripped over roof edge, onto window ledge (thick layer) & several roof tiles below. After 2 days ‘work’, bullied my gf (repeatedly, by knocking on door) for £3k. Wouldn’t leave until payment was made via bank transfer-initially asked for cash/cheque. Five other roofing quotes, cheapest £5k. Front roof - original felt/battens to be replaced along with roof tiles with dripped sealant on, fitting loose tiles back, ridge repointing on BOTH sides (roofs NEVER have just one ridge repointed). Whole new roof needed for Dormer Window along with all lead replaced with code4 lead & chimney repointed. CHIcaused serious damage. Sealant is causing water to pool on Dormer roof, could collapse & fall into attic bedroom (where gf sleeps) if not immediately fixed. Where lead nicked from chimney breast-causing water to come in to bedroom-huge wet patch on wall, 1cm away. from light fitting, electrics could blow anytime soon. Wet spots appearing inside on bedroom ceiling form outside ridge repointing. Knock on effect for my gf, mentally & physically, has taken its toll. She’s having to move out as property unsafe due to aforementioned probs. They probably change names of company along with own names. Joh & Martin are medium set, dark hair, brown eyes, facial hair (moustache and beard). Martin is around 5ft 6/8 ins & Joh a little taller. Tony is around 5ft 10+, medium set, short mousey hair, clean shaven. Joh & Tony, well dressed, nice jeans, tops & trainers. Martin, ‘work’ clothes, scruffier jeans, jumper, jacket, boots & hat. Chipora, short black hair, brown eyes, skinny, Romanian descent., speaks hardly ANY English.

Matty - 30-Nov-23 @ 1:29 PM

Cherwell Home Improvements - KEEP WELL AWAY. Suspect they are from the Travelling Community & trade up & down M4 - Reading, Swindon, Wilts areas. Gf contacted, CHI quick to respond to her phone call & came out next day, started on same day too-HUGE RED FLAG! 4 men -Tony Marshall, Martin,Joh (brothers) & Chipora. All work done by Chipora. Martin gave initial quote & Joh/Tony ‘advised’ Chipora. Cherwell caused extensive damage to whole front roof, left 50+ roof tiles loose, incorrectly laid cheap felt on top of old felt & laid battens on top of cheap felt! Battens go UNDER felt & are installed, not laid. Sealed ALL flashing (dormer window & chimney) with ‘Blackjack’ (impossible to remove) sealant & stole a section of lead flashing from chimney breast. Sloppily put wrongly mixed cement on front roof ridge OVER original repointing - since been told when first frost, it will fall off & also pull off any cement originally up there. 2 coats of ‘blackjack’ sealant put on dormer roof. It rained heavily after CHI left, loads dripped over roof edge, onto window ledge (thick layer) & several roof tiles below. After 2 days ‘work’, bullied my gf (repeatedly, by knocking on door) for £3k. Wouldn’t leave until payment was made via bank transfer-initially asked for cash/cheque. Five other roofing quotes, cheapest £5k. Front roof - original felt/battens to be replaced along with roof tiles with dripped sealant on, fitting loose tiles back, ridge repointing on BOTH sides (roofs NEVER have just one ridge repointed). Whole new roof needed for Dormer Window along with all lead replaced with code4 lead & chimney repointed. CHIcaused serious damage. Sealant is causing water to pool on Dormer roof, could collapse & fall into attic bedroom (where gf sleeps) if not immediately fixed. Where lead nicked from chimney breast-causing water to come in to bedroom-huge wet patch on wall, 1cm away. from light fitting, electrics could blow anytime soon. Wet spots appearing inside on bedroom ceiling form outside ridge repointing. Knock on effect for my gf, mentally & physically, has taken its toll. She’s having to move out as property unsafe due to aforementioned probs. They probably change names of company along with own names. Joh & Martin are medium set, dark hair, brown eyes, facial hair (moustache and beard). Martin is around 5ft 6/8 ins & Joh a little taller. Tony is around 5ft 10+, medium set, short mousey hair, clean shaven. Joh & Tony, well dressed, nice jeans, tops & trainers. Martin, ‘work’ clothes, scruffier jeans, jumper, jacket, boots & hat. Chipora, short black hair, brown eyes, skinny, Romanian descent., speaks hardly ANY English.

Matty - 25-Nov-23 @ 5:48 PM

Cherwell Home Improvements - KEEP WELL AWAY. Suspect they are from the Travelling Community & trade up & down M4 - Reading, Swindon, Wilts areas. Gf contacted, CHI quick to respond to her phone call & came out next day, started on same day too-HUGE RED FLAG! 4 men -Tony Marshall, Martin,Joh (brothers) & Chipora. All work done by Chipora. Martin gave initial quote & Joh/Tony ‘advised’ Chipora. Cherwell caused extensive damage to whole front roof, left 50+ roof tiles loose, incorrectly laid cheap felt on top of old felt & laid battens on top of cheap felt! Battens go UNDER felt & are installed, not laid. Sealed ALL flashing (dormer window & chimney) with ‘Blackjack’ (impossible to remove) sealant & stole a section of lead flashing from chimney breast. Sloppily put wrongly mixed cement on front roof ridge OVER original repointing - since been told when first frost, it will fall off & also pull off any cement originally up there. 2 coats of ‘blackjack’ sealant put on dormer roof. It rained heavily after CHI left, loads dripped over roof edge, onto window ledge (thick layer) & several roof tiles below. After 2 days ‘work’, bullied my gf (repeatedly, by knocking on door) for £3k. Wouldn’t leave until payment was made via bank transfer-initially asked for cash/cheque. Five other roofing quotes, cheapest £5k. Front roof - original felt/battens to be replaced along with roof tiles with dripped sealant on, fitting loose tiles back, ridge repointing on BOTH sides (roofs NEVER have just one ridge repointed). Whole new roof needed for Dormer Window along with all lead replaced with code4 lead & chimney repointed. CHIcaused serious damage. Sealant is causing water to pool on Dormer roof, could collapse & fall into attic bedroom (where gf sleeps) if not immediately fixed. Where lead nicked from chimney breast-causing water to come in to bedroom-huge wet patch on wall, 1cm away. from light fitting, electrics could blow anytime soon. Wet spots appearing inside on bedroom ceiling form outside ridge repointing. Knock on effect for my gf, mentally & physically, has taken its toll. She’s having to move out as property unsafe due to aforementioned probs. They probably change names of company along with own names. Joh & Martin are medium set, dark hair, brown eyes, facial hair (moustache and beard). Martin is around 5ft 6/8 ins & Joh a little taller. Tony is around 5ft 10+, medium set, short mousey hair, clean shaven. Joh & Tony, well dressed, nice jeans, tops & trainers. Martin, ‘work’ clothes, scruffier jeans, jumper, jacket, boots & hat. Chipora, short black hair, brown eyes, skinny, Romanian descent., speaks hardly ANY English.

Matty - 25-Nov-23 @ 3:36 PM

I’m afraid the information given on this Website is incorrect. You CANNOT telephone the Police in relation to Cowboy Builders as it is a civil matter & therefore, the Police are unable to be involved. Furthermore, members of the Public CANNOT directly contact Trading Standards. The correct route is initially speaking with Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB). An Adviser will take note of the Consumer’s issue & all of the information is then sent to Trading Standards via CAB. The Adviser will further inform you of your rights as a Consumer under The Consumer Rights Act 2015 & how to move forward with your problem.

Shi - 25-Nov-23 @ 2:18 PM

Marian Ciprian Badarau (formerly of the defunct Kwick Builders Ltd) in Wolverhampton area, harrassed, threatened, intimidated me to get all the agreed payments upfront left and disappeared. He was recommended by the architect Hamza Hassan; learnt later they were both sharing proceeds); I was left with displaced 1st floor, broken radiators and hot water systems which leaked into plasterboarded walls and softened them up, unfinished room which cost me thousands to re-do) Beware of him, Hes from Romania and very manipulative

Laverty - 21-Nov-23 @ 5:55 PM

Dealing With Cowboy Builders

Protecting Yourself From Cowboy Builders

What To Do If You’re A Victim Of A Cowboy Builder

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