Dealing With Cowboy Builders
Cowboy builders give the whole trade a bad name. Trading Standards and Citizens Advice still receive tens of thousands of complaints about home improvement work every year, ranging from shoddy workmanship to vanished deposits. The good news is that rogue traders remain a small minority. The bad news is that they tend to be persuasive, and the damage they cause can take months to put right, both financially and structurally.
A bit of caution before you sign anything, and a clearer idea of your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, can save you from most of the common traps.
Spotting a Rogue Trader Early
The clearest warning signs tend to appear before any work starts. Look out for the following:
- A request for cash only, often with a hint that you can avoid VAT. A legitimate business does not work off the books.
- Reluctance to provide a written quote, a breakdown of costs, or a timeline for each stage of the job.
- A quote that is noticeably lower than others you have received, paired with pressure to start straight away.
- A demand for a large deposit up front, particularly in cash, before any materials have been ordered.
- No fixed business address, no company number you can check at Companies House, or a mobile number as the only point of contact.
- Vague answers about public liability insurance, or no insurance at all.
- Claims of membership of trade bodies that you cannot verify on that body's own website.
None of these are conclusive on their own, but two or three together suggest you should walk away. Reputable trades are usually busy and happy to wait while you make checks.
Doing Your Homework
Before agreeing to anything, ask for references from recent jobs and follow them up. Most genuine tradespeople are pleased to be asked. You can also check whether the firm belongs to a recognised scheme such as TrustMark, the Federation of Master Builders, or a Competent Person Scheme for electrical or gas work. Membership can be confirmed directly with the scheme.
For gas work, the engineer should be on the Gas Safe Register. For notifiable electrical work, the installer should be registered with a scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT. These can be checked online in a couple of minutes.
Get at least three written quotes for any sizeable job. This gives you a realistic price range and makes it easier to spot the outliers.
Get a step-by-step plan to deal with a cowboy builder. Takes 2 minutes.
Try our Bad Builder Action Plan free, here on this site →Getting It in Writing
A written contract is your strongest protection. It does not need to be elaborate, but it should cover the scope of work, materials, total price, payment schedule, start and completion dates, and what happens if either side wants to make changes. Both parties should sign and keep a copy.
If the contract is agreed away from the trader's business premises, for example in your home, the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 usually give you a 14 day cancellation period. The trader should tell you about this in writing. If you want work to start within that period, you may need to agree to that in writing, and you could be charged for any work done up to the point you cancel.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Paying Safely
How you pay matters if things go wrong. Paying by credit card for any single item costing more than £100 and up to £30,000 brings Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 into play, making the card provider jointly liable with the trader for breach of contract or misrepresentation. This can be very useful when chasing a refund from a builder who has disappeared.
For debit card or e-money payments, Section 75 does not apply, but you may be able to use chargeback under the Visa or Mastercard scheme rules. Time limits are short, so contact your bank quickly. Bank transfer offers the least protection, so avoid it for large deposits where possible.
Try to keep any deposit modest. Stage payments tied to completed work are usually safer than paying a large lump sum in advance.
If the Work Goes Wrong
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, services supplied to a consumer should be carried out with reasonable care and skill, within a reasonable time, and for a reasonable price where one was not agreed in advance. Materials supplied as part of the job should be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described.
If the work is substandard, you can usually ask the trader to put it right at no extra cost. If they refuse, or the repeat work is also poor, you may be entitled to a price reduction. Keep a paper trail of photographs, dated notes, copies of texts and emails, and receipts for any materials.
Put your complaint in writing, set out what you want, and give a reasonable deadline. If the trader belongs to a trade association, ask whether it offers a dispute resolution scheme. If not, you can try mediation, or take a claim through the small claims track of the County Court for amounts up to the current limit shown on GOV.UK.
Things become more complicated when a builder goes bankrupt mid-job, since recovering money from an insolvent business is rarely straightforward. Section 75 claims and chargeback become particularly useful in that situation.
For specific trades, the principles are the same but the regulatory bodies differ. If you need guidance on what to do if your plumber makes mistakes, the process of complaint, remedy and escalation follows the same pattern.
Reporting Rogue Traders
Even if you recover your money, reporting a cowboy builder helps protect others. You can report concerns to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice, who pass details on. Serious cases involving fraud or threats can be reported to Action Fraud or the police. For up to date thresholds, court fees and reporting routes, check GOV.UK or the Citizens Advice website.
Come and paid £8000 in May he was going to start my roof in June then July when we were away. Paid for a house sitter - no show. We tried to engage and finally arrived on site end of September stripped one side of the house. This took a week and half - conservatory leaked like a sieve still does, kitchen water leaks in through the rain. En-suite shower had an another fellow of dirty water coming in now my main bedroom leaking through .
Builder is so defence we are 8 weeks in still not finished one side of the house I’ve already paid £10000 to the builder and now because we are complaining about our two week job now being in it’s 8th week he is threatening to walk off the job as he is saying we are bullying him by sharing the photos videos of the leaks!
He has threatened to walk off the job every time I don’t pay him when asked. He is saying that we over complicated the job when we decided to add solar ( solar team were on and out) also to note when we asked about solar we asked the roofer and he recommended the solar company !
He is a constant let down I’ve damage all over my house and only a quarter of the tiles on my house . What can I actually do at this point. He knows we took out a second mortgage and he has us over a barrel what can I do. I wish I had more money to throw him off the job I don’t know what to do.
Here's what I'd suggest. Send one final written message (text and email) stating clearly: "The outstanding work must be completed by [specific date - give him 7 days]. If you cannot commit to this, please confirm so I can make alternative arrangements. If I don't hear from you, I'll have no option but to engage another tradesperson and pursue recovery of those additional costs."
Meanwhile, get quotes from other builders to finish the job - it's only a few days' work so should be straightforward. Document everything: all your contact attempts, his responses, photos of the unfinished work.
If he doesn't respond or show, go ahead and hire someone else to complete it. Then pursue him through small claims court for the difference in cost. You can also report him to any trade associations he belongs to and leave factual reviews.
For future reference: never pay the final balance until work is 100% complete and signed off. That final payment is your only real leverage with builders.
Hope you get it resolved quickly.
Builder has now disappeared and we havnt seen him for nearly 3 weeks!!
Contact a couple of times telling me he will get to me when he can, then he was ill, then he was hoping to get to me by the end of the week!
Doesn’t answer his phone or reply to texts!!
Balance has been laid in full and I feel completely stuck and cheated!!
What do I do?
What can I do?
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..
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.
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.
. 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.
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
caldwell paving colchester he changes is name the work needs putting correctly he is abusive towards you blocks your phone
Maybe this page does not like emails being posted?
Ignoring the spaces it is
dec 'dot' 68 at hotmail 'dot' co 'dot' uk
The situation is worsening and at the last visit we were advised the worktop was far too faulty to continue repairing and as such the company (Stoneworld Ltd based in Kendal) have said the only option now is for them to replace it.
This would entail us having to get an electrician, gas engineer and plumber out at our cost and they have also advised any damage to worktops, tiling etc. caused in the replacement wouldn’t be covered by them, purely the actual worktop.
My husband recently had a stroke and as such the thought of dealing with all the disruption and having to find the money for various tradesman and for possible damages to new tiles and units is just too much to deal with.
As such, we asked for a refund (to be honest a partial refund would have been acceptable) but they have flatly refused and said it’s replacement or nothing.
Any ideas on how to deal with this.
https://chng.it/HvqFqzK4bb
https://chng.it/GRpH6H5X
Handyman is now saying its not his fault and wants £100 for the work done to date. My question is do I have to pay him as my insurance company has an excess of £300 that I have to pay to replacement of my carpet and ceiling?
Thank you in advance.
Takes money for materials up front and what work is carried out when he actually turns up is awful. I was left with non functioning kitchen and bathroom costing thousands to put right.
He tells so many lies even resorting to asking labour costs up front to fund his mother’s funeral!
He is based in Waterlooville, Portsmouth, Hampshire.
I have now filed County Court papers.
Can you advice me on what to do to collect my money back please.
I only have their mobile number and the company name.
Never had a problem . Great service.
Charge too much for their rubbish work and racially abused a neighbour who asked them to move their van from the driveway. It was blocking the way. Physically attacked the neighbour whilst verbally abusive and police did nothing when called due to no evidence.
Their behaviour and unjustifiable work is simply despicable.
They must be brought to justice otherwise they will continue they are both dirty rotten , spineless cretins
You should always check people out on google, Facebook ect
Please avoid!!!
After much research we contacted Tyneside home improvement from 2 Hanlon court, Jarrow to build a conservatory. The sales pitch, demo etc was impressive price finalised we paid a deposit same day.
Work started on 14 th June and nearly 4 months on, has still not been completed. Right from the start we had to chase the company for everything. Nothing was clear or forthcoming from the company. The catalog of problems we have had to face the distress & anxiety cannot be put in words.
Firstly, The conservatory floor height was above normal due to the garden level so they had to lay bricks steping into the garden. Laid flags on top of the bricks-
One side of the step was at least 9 inches out and looked awful so had to be cut. That put into motion the string of emails to THI. Emailed pictures and they sent the same bricklayer to cut it short next day and lay concrete flooring (still not equal both sides)
Once the shell was ready we had wait for 5 weeks for the glass roof as it was on order! Blame Covid! The glass arrived after 7 but no patio doors. For 3 weeks we had thick cloth and plastic nailed to the back of the house facing our garden. Once the roof was installed we checked the work next morning only to realise that 3 of the panes were a different shade.
The concrete flooring laid by THI builder cracked badly and was not levelled. Two tilers refused to work when they saw the floor level. We contacted THI and they sent another builder to complete the job, twice using self leveller and as a result the conservatory floor ended up higher than the existing level. Still bumps and ridges everywhere. Emails and numerous phone calls later the manager came to level the floor himself as they could not get builders. A full days work of concrete grinding noise is not all we had to endure, the dust and mess it made was more than what we bargained for.
Patio doors fitted, electrical jobs, plastering completed ; bear in mind we had to chase every bit of work and the workers dates. Nothing was forthcoming from them. Not once did the mangers or staff offer any apology for the delay or for not showing up at all. Numerous times we were waiting for workers to arrive but it was no show!
2 weeks ago I emailed THI giving them an ultimatum to complete the pending jobs or else we would seek legal advice and claim compensation, they replied it will be done and finalised in 2 weeks.
The 3 panes of wrong shade was to be replaced yesterday 7/10/20 after waiting for another 4 weeks. The manger came with the glass roof and fitted one of the three. He comes down promptly and says it’s another shade so now we have 3 different shades of blue roof glass.
Today again 8/10 after waiting all day for the joiner to fit skirting board, he finally shows up at 3:05 pm to say he finishes at 4:00
They are from Windsor and Maidenhead. Totally destroyed our home promising so much but then ran off. When I contacted them they became so threatening and abusive. There is so much I have to get redone and finish off.
They are dodgy as hell.... avoid avoid avoid!!
I have reported them to the police!
Gavin and Callum
Just had these people do my kitchen fitting and some small remedial building works. I got his card from Magnets in Merthyr Tydfil asked them if he was OK they said they had supplied kitchens to him he was an ex police officer.
What can I say except I have been conned I paid in full have been asking for electrical sign off no reply They do not have any electrical, plumbing, or building certificates they have left my kitchen in a terrible state holes in ceiling shoddy kitchen fitting all edges are frayed holes in walls, bodged up cheap flooring, and you need to see to believe the coving I was quoted for plastering the mess that left was horrendous it took me 3 hours to clean up it bc was so bad I had to take up the old flooring it was like a muddy swimming pool no sheets used whatsoever
The off cut of oak worktop I had to really keep an eye out I found chunks hidden behind plasterboard that was not going to be used what more can I say. I will be taking these cowboys to small claims court once I have pricing for the work that needs to be done to rectify the awful mess they left me in I am also informing trading standards. Rouge traders need to be stopped it’s not fair to decent people who work hard for what they have.
Do not employ under any circumstance they are the builders from hell
Never ever use these cowboys
letmeknowtstoke at aol dot com
He gave us a price for agreed work, and has almost doubled the cost since, because of needing more materials than he thought, and the job taking longer. We had a patio repaired and made bigger - it's not level at all. We had posts and gravel boards put in for fence panels, which we now find are not level, and the panels don't fit in them.
A job which was supposed to be 2 days has been over a month now, and it's still not done.
Constant asking him to come and fix his work (only the posts mind) and he promises... but never delivers anything.
They claim to be a roofer but they are not as they taken my money now they have caused significant damage to the roof.
He even ignored the court letter and I believe he filed his company bankruptcy then opened another one. Nothing really we could do. Luckily we found a very good one afterwards and still using them.
The owner is Sean Garlands.
Essentially, he asks for money up front (for building materials), doesn't turn up, lots of excuses why work not done (usually blames other people), increasingly threatening behaviour when approached, end of day- quality substandard- needed to spend a lot of money to put things right.
This man is a rogue trader. Initially charming, offers a low quote but has no conscience at all. I don't expect he ever expects to finish a job. His work has been inspected by several independent builders and they state that he cannot possibly be a builder such is the low quality of his work. Do NOT trust him with your house or money.
Plan to do myself the rest of the work
Has anyone had this builder doing work in their home.
Starts really well and then asks for money to break into other building work, wainting to be started. I paid him for upstairs, downstairs and garden.
upstairs was not finished, downstairs is just a building site, garden not touched.
He insisted building regs were not needed to remove walls in my. home and put in two steel beams which nearly cost me my home. I stopped work as cracks were appearing, when I contacted a structural engineer, he went mad saying it was not necessary. The structural engineer said I needed building control and said the beams were not supporting my living room celiling I stopped the work while a reputable installation company rectified the damage, to which I had to pay the.
When I stopped the work the builder starting complaining saying he had to do other work as he had no money. I informed he had been paid for the job and it needed to be fininshed.
I have requested several time for £8,000 to be returned to me, but he keeps saying he does not have it.
He capped a gas pipe after telling him several times not to and then concealed it under tiles.
I bought all my materials and have found out that he has been using my materials for other jobs.
RIP off con men , please avoid
Quoted me to have a double storey extention on my house and after doing the foundations they could not do the work, paid them £18k to do works and the concreating was not finished now not answereing the phones, we had a payment plan and whrn you pay each week what they say is to be done, its something else and they keep changing the goalpost each step of the way.
BRENDAN CONNOLY & JAMES COX
PAYMENTS go into James account so they can avoid tax man !!!
They have ripped off several people
Quoting low and want to start immediately
They knock down the area that needs renovating, so you are vulnerable straight away. They use a very dodgy architect called Richard Smith Godalming who is so unprofessional. He just wants the money. His qualifications need questioning. My two year old could advise better.
Such a bad experience with this builder even although their website shows positive reviews.
Having been ripped off by a Builder in Southwood, Farnborough, I needed a Flooring Fitter to remove the Builder's appalling work. I was recommended a called guy Rado ( BERTHA FLOORING READING ). He replaced 51 sp m of rubbish flooring with Quickstep wood flooring.
If you need flooring use this guy. Nothing is too much trouble, he is a perfectionist, takes his time, very reasonable prices. I have recommended him to others, and they have been impressed with him. This is one tradesman you wont ne disappointed with !!
I hired them to do my roof , they took the money and did a shoddy job leaving my roof leaking and not cleaning the gutters .
Now they are refusing to do the work again.
Please don’t hire them.
Desperate for help to get my money back and complete the job
Electric underfloor heating was put wrong (we had professional company to Complete survey), we have infrared photos of how badly it was installed, for example mats are overlapping or big areas are not covered at all. My “fav” is underfloor heating mat was put exactly under the toilet pan.
Painting and decorating was done so badly I have no words to describe it. I can see patches made from brush, who is painting walls with brushes?
Wrong paint was used to paint bespoke furnitures.
Kitchen was installed in best case mediocre. Non of skirting boards or arches are finished.
Tiling in toilet downstairs was done so bad it looks like tile was bite not cut. Vanity sink cupboard was installed touching the door frame, although there was plenty of space to move it away from it.
I am in the edge. Carrying big stone on my chest. Never experience such a stress and helplessness. Its not even about lost money, but lost trust. Its just surreal how people can be blinded by money, and how they will do anything to get it. Leaving you with hole in chest filled with rubble from your home....
Now I'm having to pay for a structural engineer to come out to assess the safety of the property.
He asks for money up front and lies about purchasing the materials. BEWARE!
Got defrauded by one Shaun Caspall previously Shaun Lomax and just blatantly blanked me after getting 23k for an extension with just the walls done without cavity insulation to show for it.Had my back garden messed up with waste and excavates from the foundation on my back garden.etc
He left us with a building that has so many problems that we had to take it down. He is very nice in the beginning then becomes threatening when he "THINKS" he is owned money for a sub-par job! It is quite scary!
THEY SAY THEY DO EVERYTHING FROM GAS TO ELECTRICS.
NOT A SINGLE TEST CARRIED OUT AFTER ADDING TO EXISTING CIRCUITS!
ROOF LEAKED AFTER A LOFT CONVERSION. DIDNT WANT TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL ROOFER REPAIR IT.STILL OWES ME FOR THE REPAIR.
ROMFORD. GOES BY THE NAME ARBEN
OR BEN
No receipt, no guarantee, no VAT, no final bill. Further action taken.
I am in the process of taking them to court for building works not completed but fully paid for. These scumbags spew so many lies to get your hard-earned cash and then they run off expecting no consequences...there is a special place in Hell reserved for them.
The post by Southwood [- 6-Aug-18] if of particular interest if it is possible to get in touch for advice about choosing a Forensic Building consultant.
Hes also deleted his Facebook page and dont response back our messages or text?
Hes not only taken money off us but also the neighbour and not finished there work either please shed some light as to what I can do.
Thanks
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 says that reasonable care and skill must be used while working. He clearly didn't.
Also, we had pulled down the conservatory as the current builder said he needed to start work on the new footings. We were also informed that we actually needed planning permission as our house is a new build. We were unaware. We trusted the original builder who claims to have 30 years experience to have this knowledge.
A week later, he claims to have spoken to 2 solicitors and that 'we didn't have a leg to stand on' as we didn't have an Engineers report and the conservatory guarantee expired after 12 months.
We have tried Citizens Advice, Trustatrader who we found him through but with no success. The only way is to go legal but would we win? I have spoken to several solicitors and it's costly just to get them to review our case and that's before hiring a barrister etc.
Having googled 'cowboy builders', he ticked all the boxes. We paid in cash which I'm sure he didn't declare to the taxman.
Do we write off £20k. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I then set about looking for a suitable builder. I used several sites to recommend a build r and several meetings and quotes from many builders. We set our sites on a builder through a site dmcalled Book a Builder who recommended several builders including the one we chose. The builder was called DMC from Manchester as he was the most cooperative and understand our plight and requirements. In Mid August last year he started work. He turned up regular over a 7 week period but with very few employees. Then after this period he requested an advance payment so as he could get more labour and catch up as he had fallen behind. I agreed making my first mistake.Lat year in August we engaged in creating an extension on the advice of Flintshire Care And Repair as there was nothing they could do. I am a registered disabled man needing for my house to be modified to give me better accessible property. This was to include a downstairs bedroom all downstairs floors levelled and a wet room.
I then set about looking for a suitable builder. I used several sites to recommend a build r and several meetings and quotes from many builders. We set our sites on a builder through a site dmcalled Book a Builder who recommended several builders including the one we chose. The builder was called DMC from Manchester as he was the most cooperative and understand our plight and requirements. In Mid August last year he started work. He turned up regular over a 7 week period but with very few employees. Then after this period he requested an advance payment so as he could get more labour and catch up as he had fallen behind. I agreed making my first mistake.
To cut a long story short we were told to contact Citizens Advice as they were the legal point of contact and informed that contacting Trading Standards was not allowed and had to go through Citizens Advice. We were told in the first instance to write a recorded delivered letter to the builder making all the references that were advised. If a reply was not received in 14 days to get back to them and they would start the next stage which would be to get the current stage of build assessed and then to get the legal side of it started through them. This would include getting the total monies for the complete build refunded or the builder to complete the project. We did not get a reply from the builder and made the follow on phone call to Citizens Advice. This time another person answered who showed no interest and told us to read thier site and use thier documents and go through the small claims court. This was a huge change in approach and felt upset by this approach. The small claims court woul
Next to my house was a car park , a builder built a maisonette attached to my wall , there was a third party wall agreement including installing lead flashing where The houses met
The work was signed off by a surveyor, I trusted them .
Some years later I have severe damp ,other builders have looked at the work and said there is no lead flashing, how can I proceed
Regards
Paul
We have not seen or heard from him for over a month. He has also moved house without telling us. Is there any way we can find out where he lives now so we can try and recover the money through the small claims court? Or, as my Father is elderly/vunerable, should the Police help us?
Please if you are asked to keep paying cash for work, do not and don’t feel embarrassed to seek help from the family or the police if it happens to you. Let’s get these guys off the streets.
8 month ago we moved in to our new build house, the last of 40 on our road. There has been a few unfinished jobs and mainly cosmetic problems with our house. After speaking with neighbours they too have the same problems and the builders are uncontactable.
The main issue is that the road is incomplete along with large walls which would all cost a lot of money to complete.
It does not look like the builders will be coming back to complete the job and this would mean the council will not take over maintenance of an incomplete private road.
Please can you offer any advise on this. Many Thanks.
Dont know if you have read my recent post ? But as someone who learnt the hard way, having undergone the Small Claims Court process (successfully) I can advise you generally on best practise....
Email the Trademan with polite requests, you then have a record. Give them a reasonable time frame to respond. List what you are unhappy with.
If they are "unreasonable" tell them you will get second opinions, and ask them to pay. You can employ the Services of professionals who will document the problems.
At Small Claims Court, ask yourself what would a REASONABLE person think is fair and proportionate. A lot of tradesmen are greedy and lazy and play on the fact that most people do not want the hassle of going to Court. If they are accredited with a professional body, or advertise on trades sites, involve them, negative press will hit them where it hurts. Decent tradespersons will want to complete the job to a satisfactory standard, after all most business is word of mouth, dodgy ones wont care less !
A few days later. again i saw the works pickup pullup with a trailer and a mini digger on the back. So again i made my way to the door. They were already of loading the mini digger. So i left them to their work.
About 20mins in my electric started to flicker. I went out and asked if there was any problems because the electrics were flickering'oh no no there are no electric cables down ere' they both repeated waving their hands up and down the side of my house. So i turned and went back indoors. It happend again so again i went out to stress my concerns about the electric. To again both of them assuring me it was definitely not them because they are telling me there are no cables down the side of the house. Back in doors i went again. within minutes its actually tripped the electric and i had to firstly go to the box to flip the switch to get the lights back on. When i got back out to tlk to the lads again no sooner had i got the same answer when there was an almighty bang and a flash! The guy driving the digger had ripped through the mains electric cable. Cutting off my electric and two of my neighbours. I wasnt happy.
I called the national grid who wanted to speak to the builders so i past the phone to the driver of the digger. Who then said to me right their coming out to sort that out and get the electric back on. So relieved i said ok while apologising to my neighbour.
The next thing i know the works pickup is back the digger is back on the trailer and gone (i did take pictures of the pickup and the company)
I left the lads digging by hand and went to calm down my son came home they asked him for there money while saying not much we can do now till theyve been out to fix that (pointing at the cut cable) so we will be back tomorrow to finish if off. Then my son came up and told me theyd gone and was coming back. But i had a really bad feeling about it then he mentioned hed paid them. I must admit i went nuts with him. I just knew the way the company had so quickly turned up to get the digger up
Anyway cut a long story short 7 weeks later its an absolute heartrending mess. They never came back i even name and shamed them on fb but found sit
I changed tack and reported him to HMRC for tax evasion, he was fined £85,000.
Ok I still haven't got my money ,but I feel great!!!.
Courts are powerless and fraudsters know this.
The more information you give HMRC the better.
You may not find out any results(mine was given at a court hearing),but just think of the hassle he will get.
Try it!!!! what have you got to lose.
These fraudsters need stopping and the courts are useless.
A house that I let. I had it removated recently and unfortunately some of the work was unfinished. The people who rented the house were well aware of this. They agreed to ove into the house for a reduced fee while the builder finished them outstanding work. As a result of the tenant's controlling and aggressive behaviour the builder left. Prior to that, the tenant asked if we could stop all work as they wanted a rest from it. I agreed that the tenant's father could hang a couple of doors - that was all. Unbeknownst to me, the tenant's father took it upon himself to do a lot of other diy jobs , many of which were unnecessary and all substandard and anyway not to my taste or in keeping with the recently completely refurbished property. He expected me to pay some £1700 (which a local builder quoted £500) and the tenant has refused to pay the rent for two months. I feel that they have obtained money by deception In other words, they have committed fraud. I would value your opinion.
not planed has wanted because of young grandchildren and im disabled with walking probs and needed it has support if i stumble has had it put next to the path way but if your skin comes into contact it will tear your skin and have splinters .i have photos which judge and defendants have.I have joiners report, shed builder report but judge wont accept saying not enough evidence.It was built to be a sewing room so keep my body active and my mind even door hingers rusty screws were hammered in cracking wood so they will come apart doors will fall off cant open and shuts doors I feel has tho im fighting both the ex company and the judge having to have a property suveyor will cost hundred and tried some but they wont do the survey on summerhouses im screwed I been cheated by this company who had no intention of doing a good job found out the boss isnt a joiner by trade but the lies they get away with saying theres nothing wrong with the summerhouse and i have photos.How can this company get away with this im so angrey with the justice system this small claims court procedure is a laugh thats why its been going on for 2 years and the summerhouse is wet water coming under roof.CAB dont want to know they say they cant do anything.Trading standards are supposed to be ringing me but nothing.who else is there to help me ??MAT
Always get a written quote before hand - that way you can establish whether costs are realistic.
Never pay anything up front.
I wanted to ask advice as to what to do. I recently broke up with my boyfriend of 6 years and so found a handyman from recommendation. He had completed a couple of jobs before and I was happy. I had Airbnb guests staying and they damaged the sink so I asked Mark to come and fix it as soon as he could. I had just come back from my uncles funeral that day and was feeling emotional and I explained the situation to mark. He started quoting lots of numbers. Anyway, the situation got out of hand and he ended up charging £1018 for replacing a tap, fixing the piping and 'made good' the panelling underneath. He had already asked for half of the money to be transferred upfront. So I paid £450. I started to get suspicious and by chance I bumped into a guy who I've met years ago who repairs work in the block. I asked him to come and have a look and he said that job should have taken 2 hours and no more than £250. He also told me to get quotes from others and they all came in around £250 plus materials. So I've already overlaid for the job and he is demanding the rest. I refused until he showed me receipts and he started to get very aggressive and nasty. I even called the police and they are taking a statement. I guess the question is - what do I do? I'm feeling harassed and concerned about my safety and don't want to be bullied into paying the rest which is clearly a sham.
I'm a single women and feel very vulnerable and I'm worried he will throw a brick through my window or something. Any help will be much appreciated, thank you.
Kind Regards Sandy
The project began reasonably well, although from the outset it was running behind schedule (There has never been a published programme or plan, however when we asked the builder at the beginning of the week what was planned for the week, he would tell us the planned work which by the end of the week was rarely all completed). We went on holiday for two weeks and when we returned found that the builder had knocked through into our existing kitchen, despite the fact that the new build wasn't weatherproof - i.e. no roof and no windows and doors.
The exterior brickwork is completely unacceptable on one wall, as the wall is wavy and does not align with the existing housebrickwork. At about the 5ft level the brickwork goes from being aligned with the house brickwork to being half a brick out within four courses. We notified our builder that this is not acceptable and he re-worked this wall.... to exactly the same unacceptable standard.
We have now commenced week 17 and we are still missing a window and the bi-fold doors. We have repeatidly chased the builder in all aspects of the outstanding work (internally - fitting of windows and doors, 2nd fix plumbing and electrics, levelling of the floor, window sills and coving) and have also highlighted that in addition to the brickwork that needs rectifying, the other walls need re-pointing, the drain cover needs making level with the existing ground in addition to the finishing off of the groundwork.
Our concern is that the builder has told us he is skint (which may be why he hasn't yet collected the window and doors) or paid for the other trades required, yet we are desperate to complete as we have a new kitchen in storage ready to be fitted.
We do not want to pay any additional money as we have already outlayed £33k on the understanding that the windows and doors would have been fitted. The builder is now not answering any of our calls but sent a text at 02:00am stating that he is now working on another project.
Where do we go with this?
He got the keys supposedly did a good job was paid and asked to return keys to rental office, turns out its a bad job needs done again but main thing is hasn't returned keys!
Where do I stand?
Just wondering what's the best course of action
Please advise.
Guttering had been replaced but not the downpipe. The T shaped piece of guttering has not been properly attached to the downpipe, there is a gap and when it rains the water pours onto my wall (which is now black).
My front garden has railings and block paving. Last year same neighbours had their front garden improved!
A wall was built on the outside and paving slabs put down.
Paving slabs were cemented to my railings, the slab around their drain was cemented and when it rains the blocked drain pours into my front garden. I don't think any measurements were taken as the gate opens out because the new patio garden is too high for the gate!!! The whole thing is over the boundary line (about 2 inches) but that is the least of my concerns.
This is not a joke.
Yiu say the police are available in the event of fraud - NOT True. Fraud, in the opinion the the police, is a civil matter.
If caught by a cowboy you are on your own.
Only avenue is wasting time and money on legal action to prove a point - builder will just go bankrupt and start trading again under a different name the following day. Welcoe to UK consumer protection - there is NONE
If you have a valid question we'll endeavour to answer it and of course please continue to share your experiences for others to read.
Builders need EXPLICIT instructions. Left to their own devices they will do it cheaply and you will get what they think is acceptable. Not necessarily what you feel is acceptable. They will do things that are easiest for them and place things where it is easiest not where you want them.
Believe when I say: They will not do it as they would do their own home or building work. They will do it with one thing in mind, how can I do least work for most money!
If you have a conflict with a builder, keep records, keep receipts, keep the written quotation, keep records of all phone calls, make a clear concise written list of all items you are not happy with.
Tell them in writing you are not paying anymore until you are completely happy.
Be assertive.
> In a nutshell he has't done three of the major works he said he would do (we have paid him £30k in cash) and told us we owe him £5k more for "extras".
When we challenged him last week he flew into a rage and threatened to smash up the kitchen and stormed out and brought a shovel in from his truck. We placated him. He dropped £500 off for not doing one of the jobs he said he would (moving an inside wall) and offered to remove an outside toilet and tidy up the outhouse it is housed in which we thought he would have done anyway as part of the renovation. We left it at that.
We are due to meet him this week but don't want to pay him any extra. Obviously we are very concerned about what he might do. Any advice? Should we involve the police?
When he didn't arrive,yet again,we contacted him asking for our money back less the cost of materials,this was verified by the very helpful Manager at The Roofing Suppliers who copied the original invoice for £1701.76.
The difference was £1548.24,we asked for £1500 to be returned by 8am on the 31st May,giving him nearly a month to return the money & allowing him a "fee" for his services he'd requested in his abusive emails & texts that had followed our request,(I have copies).
As we said earlier this tradesman had previously completed satisfactory work for us & others however this was when he worked for another roofing firm,he belongs to the local BNI (a group to pass work to each other,we'd previously used two other members of the same chapter (as they call it) without issues or concerns,no other organisations,think this says it all.
His latest post on Facebook says he's getting married in September,no doubt with the aid of our cash !!!
More fool us choosing someone we thought we could trust,he & other local tradesmen had recently put right a "rogue traders" work for a local oap,now he's one himself !!!!
Two years ago I contacted a friends son to reroof my utility roof I supplied all the materials and he charged me £500 for just over 1 days work ( I paid cash ) . After 2 days and it rained The roof started to leak , I told him and he came back at night a few days later . He put some mastic in a couple of places and left . It rained a couple of days later and it leaked again , so I rang him up and told him . He said he couldn't come again .
Ever since then my wife who is only a small person has been going up the roof to try and fix it .( she knows nothing about building but tries her best ) I have to try to explain to her but she being a Filipino it's hard for her to understand .
Last week we got another so-called roofer in he charged me £190 for only 3 hours . He estimated £100 + £20 for materials + any extra's . He said I could keep any materials left . He used 1 tube of mastic and a half a bucket of compo . The other £70 was replacing 7 tiles which I supplied and only took 5 - 10 minutes . He was banging up on the roof lots of the time I don't know what he was doing . He pulled a lot of my ridge tiles off and said they were loose and need replacing and checking the rest of my roof trying to find more work . It now leaks more and places which never leaked before . I don't want him back . I only live on benefits being disabled . I had to retire early due to my illnesses so all my savings have gone . We had to save up for months to pay the roofer , I just don't know what to do anymore . I get angina when I think about all these worries .I need advice please .
Jed
If these rules are not followed, under The Consumer Rights Act 2015, you can demand that the contractor rectifies the inadequate service in a reasonable amount of time at no cost to you. If this is not possible, you can claim a price reduction which, depending upon the problem, could be up to 100% of the cost.
An independent "expert" opinion would help to back up your case that the floor needs entirely re-laying.
We had a local builder fit two bathrooms and a kitchen over the last year with no major issues. The labour costs were about £10,000, which we paid promptly with no complaint. Earlier this year we asked the same builder (I'll call him Bob) to knock down some non-supporting walls, make good ceilings, electrics and plumbing, install new oak bannisters and lay new solid wood flooring. he has done several jobs poorly and despite our asking for these jobs to be redone he says things like "That's a job for the decorator" and refuses to finish them. Our main issue is with the laying of the oak flooring. In our opinion he rushed this, didn't cut the door frames for the flooring to go underneath nor levelled the subfloor. As a result the floor 'bounces', planks are bowed and he has filled the gaps between the flooring and door frames with a filler of a different colour. It looks awful. We've had quotes off another carpenter to relay the floor of £800+, plus rectify other jobs badly done. We told Bob we disputed his final bill of £2,900 (similar to his original estimate) and said we would pay him £2000, allowing for us having to pay someone else to rectify the faults - we asked Bob to relay it but he doesn't see that it needs entirely ripping up and relaying. He refused our offer and said he'll take it to the small claims court. We've yet to receive a summons. We looked online for advice and I think we are in the right - services now have to be done with "reasonable skill and care" under the sale of goods act October 2015 I think. I'm just wondering if anyone else thinks we are correct in how we have dealt with this?
We have recently had our flat roofs of 2 blocks of flats re-done by Fibrespan UK, headed by Philip Dale. And it’s been a total nightmare dealing with them.
Apart from:
- Not turning up in several occasions delaying the work,
- Avoiding health and safety measures and cheating on the quality of the materials, which we discovered when we started querying them about the lack of a scaffolding and the canopy on the roof which led us to hire a Building Surveyor to keep an eye on them.
- And causing damages to 4 flats which have been officially assessed and documented in a formal report by a third party
the roof has been eventually completed. Therefore we finalized the payment deducting all the necessary amounts to match the lower quality of materials and to cover the damages caused to 4 of the flats.
Now after not even 6 months from completion I have received an email today from our Building Management Secretary that the ceiling of one of the top floor flats has collapsed.
Moreover, Fibrespan UK (Phil Dale) has not given us the guarantee yet with the excuse that we haven’t provided him with an invoice of the repair works of the flats that have been affected.
What should we do now? Clearly this company and this builder are a fraud and their negligence is putting in danger people’s life. I don’t have all the details of the collapsed ceiling but I am totally worried that the all roof can collapse.
These people have managed not only to cheat us but also the Surveyor that we hired!
Your advice would be much appreciated.
Divina
Any ideas on how to get a refund?
This builder is in Nottingham I understand been the subject of court matters, been investigated for vat fraud among other things and is a known bankrupt everything is in his wife's name.
Also if it isn't done this will no pass the building warrant and if it doesnt to I have to pay him or am I within my rights to with hold money until warrant has been signed off??
He took 7 weeks to fit my small kitchen , making up all sorts of excuses about the B&Q kitchen , the tools, the screws, my kitchen walls etc ,
He caused around £500 worth of damage to my units and oak worktop by making mistakes, drilling holes in wrong places etc
Then he gave me a verbal bill for 6 times the amount quoted when he finished yesterday, I challenged this by text - to which he has not yet replied- also asked for an itemised bill by email
He has left all the rubble in my garden and broken 2 oven housings as well - have photos
Would I have a case to challenge the bill the small claims court please?
He also has listed in writing a few FREE improvements that he has no charged for but now is saying he is going to charge us for this as we are not paying what he has demanded now. He has also said that he is going to take us to court but we have never said we won't pay we have said we will not pay anymore until the ronovations is completed in 2 weeks. Can he do this to us and where do we stand?
I am starting to think that everything will eventually break or fall down or worse and he was here for ages doing a crap job.
It's hard to supervise when you are at work and I think he took advantage of the fact that I was a woman on my own and baffled me with builder speak.
The team repeatedly did not arrive onsite as agreed.
They plaster boarded over the existing laths as opposed to removing the laths (straps) as quoted resulting in an uneven finish.
They did not strip wallpaper from the walls as discussed and outlined on the quote, it was plastered over, in the hall it was even bonded over first, resulting in an uneven finish.
The bonded areas in the bedroom and the hallway still haven't dried out 6 days after plastering. They're still wet to the touch.
The skirting in the bedroom was replaced prior to re-plastering and was glued, screwed in and replaced incorrectly, they used filler and even cut off sections so what once fitted perfectly now does not.
They left a large quantity of rubble outside the property for over three weeks which we now have had to make arrangements to remove ourselves, blocking the access to our wheelie bins and recycling which prevented normal rubbish collection.
They broke our Dyson hoover which was used without our consent to hoover up plaster, and took no action to rectify this.
Our upstairs bedroom and hallway carpets were destroyed as the team did not take care to cover them and in the case of the hall stained them with an unnamed solution.
Despite numerous calls, texts and whatsapp messages Luke Cohen is still yet to respond to me regarding our issues. The lack of communication throughout the project has been more than challenging.
We agreed a deadline of when work needed to be completed yet Luke didn't meet this deadline despite confirming he would do so via text twice. Work was to be completed prior to the Easter Bank Holiday, this failed to happen.
They also failed to return our keys as requested or present a solution to the issue of the quality of workmanship that we raised with them and are actively avoiding calls and wont respond to emails. So we're left with a bad half finshed job which we'll need to pay someone else to sort out. Do I have a case here?
I'd be grateful for any advcice!
Are there really no hope of getting this cowboy builder to do the works that he had already been paid for? That is 84% of the works and the rectifying works.
I asked for full refund minus your consultation or visit fees and he disagreed
On Friday 5th Feb he told me that he will refund some of it with in 3 days and I called him on Monday 8th Feb he said I will transfer by latest Friday 12 Feb.
Since I checked his company and it was dissolved in Aug last year 2015 and he started another company.
Need help to recover my deposit and what can do ??
every time we ring them they say they are going to send someone to measure roof.
whole family is very stressed.we have got elderly parents living with us.existing building is leaking.
we don't know what to do
they gave us contact but never signed it
please help us
1. Rogue Traders
2. Trades people that lie most of the time
3. Trades people that always try and get more money out of you
I hope I am not going to offend all the good trades people who are honest, but is this a trait of the people who end up doing these types of job?
I have had a lot of dealings with trades people and 95% of the time it ends up with one of the above: ie a bad job, half the job, double the price or more etc...
I have also the good fortune of employing some amazing honest trades people who do the job to perfection at a reasonable cost.
How can we spot these people and put them out of business for good?
he starting legal proceeding 6 years after he left our house in a mess
price for a conservatory ( 4 X 6 metres) included a bathroom within the conservatory space.
Planning permission was granted for the conservatory but there were a couple of problem
areas which raised a concern for us. There were also some issues with a manhole which
they said they could not move although they had agreed for it to be moved before the work
started! Had a meeting with the project manager and owner of the company. When I asked
if they had permission for us to have a bathroom within the conservatory his response was
"it was our responsibility to ensure there was planning permission" and "he was not certain if planning was needed or not" at which time my heart sank thinking to myself he was a lying toad... how could he not know the answer when he tells me he builds about 5-10 conservatories per week and be so dismissive of whose responsiblity it was! I found out the next day, building control would be needed for a bathroom within a conservatory and I knew they had not have building control involved so they were doing their best to give us what we asked for but doing much unauthorised work which we would have had the responsibility for afterwards when they got all their cash and cleared off! We have subsequently asked them to stop all building work until we can get clarity on a few issues. In the meantime a letter from the local council arrived with an "alleged breach of planning". This is with reference to the wall they build alongside our boundary fence with our neighbours. Our home is an end of terrace home. There was a prior consent approval with the building surveyor and duty officer at the council which is seems unlikely has been adhered to and which we did not realise has probably not been done. Now the planning enforcement officer wants to come over to check this "alleged breach of planning". The letter states we may need to re-apply for planning permission if what has been done is found to be in breach of planning and it seems very unlikely planning permission will be granted with the wall of the conservatory 3 inches in distance from the centre of the boundary fence!? We would be very grateful for some advice. The footings the builder put in are only about 550mm so very unlikely it could pass building control with what has been done! We have subsequently found out that the manhole is a "public sewer" and owned by Thames water who need consent for a build over agreement and do not allow internal manholes!!! All this unauthorised work could have cost us up to 30K in expenses only to be told possibly by the council to be demolished! We have already paid the builder 6K for his work as he needed to get paid asap after he did his work and this company have £3400 from us as a deposit as well. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated ! thanks very much...
The guy came back out one evening, unannounced, to check the measurements for the door. I was then messed around with timings and had to wait another week for him to come out and do the work. He turned up in a sort of camper van with another guy who seemed to do the work. After some trouble getting the old door glass out they put the new one in, only to say it needed to be toughened after all. Initially I was told it wouldn't have to be. They Have offered to replace the glass without extra cost, however I can feel they have done something to the door which is now making it slightly harder to close and creating a considerable draught from the top right corner.
The bathroom window's hinges were replaced but they said the window had been fitted 'short' initially and they have raised the bottom locks to fix this problem. However, it appears to be a botched job with two bits of random plastic underneath. The window is now draughtier than before! I notified him as soon as I realised and asked him to come back earlier than the following week if possible as it was making the house so cold. He said they couldn't. He knows about the bathroom window being worse but not about the new draught from the door. As they need to replace the glass again, I wondered if this may right itself?
I haven't paid anything yet but I'm cautious about them coming back and making things worse. I'm not sure if I have any grounds to withhold payment either. He said he'll come first thing Thursday but he's messed me around with times so much already, who knows. What can I do?
no contract for the work just text message. workers have also replaced kitchen which was never part of the job. they have withheld money as completed part of the job was meant to do and that money was for workers and they knew that
This is not my gripe though when I inspected the bathroom it was not a walk in shower but a step of approx 6 inches into the shower, they said they couldn't fit the shower tray to the floor due to the waste pipe not being low enough. Told them (joiner and plumber) this was not what I asked for and it was not fit for purpose the plumber said he spoke to someone about this but couldn't remember who he told (only me there). To make matters worse they fitted a shower for a combi boiler when it's a back boiler and told us to try it first before they fit a pump to make pressure better but he cant use it as they said that the hot water wasn't warm enough that's two days now and there is still no hot water.They also sent fire retardant down lighters so he has no lighting and they can't get an electrician out for 3 days. I know I was so stupid to pay this in cash and £1000 up front on day of quote, but was wondering do I have a case here for the workmanship not being fit for purpose? Any info would be great thanks.
We have just bought a house which had alterations done to it. There were 2 roof rooms (original built) but they had been extended into the roof with dormer windows and 2 onsuites put in. I was aware planning permission wasnt needed as it was under the required size but now I find out that it wasnt done to building regulations. Our solicitors at the time never advised of this so we are currently seeking recourse through a claim against them.
The owner of the property has himself set up as Builder & roofer and carried out the work himself. All the work he has done has been non reg compliant and the worst of it is as listed below:
1. Took bricks out of the working chimney in the room above the fireplace, hid it and still said it was working.
2. Rewire the house so that all the sockets are on one ring main and then added the electric shower to it so that it constantly trips the breaker (not RCB'd either)
3. In the roof room extensions, where he took out the purlins, he put the existing purlin back in under the front edge of the dormer. But he didnt put it on padstones into the brickwork, he just hung it on joisthangers with 2inch woodscrews so the whole lot is not supported.
I want to report him so that he never does this to anyone again. Ive tried trading standards but they were no help. I tried to see if he was qualified builder/roofer (which he isnt), so who should I go to to report him and what should I do?
Any help really appreciated.
Cheers
Des
I only found out when the local council building control came to do the final inspection.
The council never told me they wanted revised calculations. They apparently told the builder but he never told me.
The builder talked a good game and made promises to do revised calculations but wanted to tell the council nothing was wrong.
I got my architect involved. I had taken many photographs throughout the build which my architect looked at. He was satisfied with the work.
However the council have been standing firm and going by the book.
It took 5 months for the architect to get calculations done. These show 60-70% loading or something. This will probably not satisfy the council.
Is this splicing method common? Is the council looking for over-engineering?
I would ask the builder to fix things. But he is adamant that he does this method all the time. It's a big company by the way.
What should I do?
It's been a very very stressful past 6 months!
Thanks in advance.
It was expressed when I would like the work to start, however this was (to my mistake) not captured in the email chain detailing the other details.
It is now October and the builder in question has not even provided me with a date to start the work; constantly citing weather concerns on his other ongoing commitments.
To me, this seems unreasonable and I'd like to explore other options as a number of quotations were initially obtained. Frustratingly, some were rejected as they informed me in July that could not start until early October...
In this scenario, no work has started and no date has been given for when work is due to start. Does this mean I need to write off the deposit as it was agreed to be "non-refundable", or is there some application of a reasonable timeframe?
I've recently had a kitchen fitted and I'm extremely dissatisfied with the final product. The kitchen took longer than the builder said to install (ten days quoted, almost six weeks to finish) and there were concerns all the way. Issues include:
1. Working hours seem to drop during the work period
2. We could smell gas in our kitchen for a week when the cooker was installed
3. The dishwasher has not been connected properly and doesn't work because of this
4. Some parts of the units are falling off/not fitted properly
5. The tiling/grout is a horrible mess
6. One of my lights no longer works
7. The sealant looks like it's been applied by a child
8. I can still see the old paint on my walls because there have been patches missed
9. Tiles have become loose
10. Only one side of the door has been painted
11. Carpet out of kitchen in to passageway is a trip hazard
12. Work surfaces cut roughly
The builder has now disappeared and is no taking my calls. I do have outstanding money due to him, but obviously he won't be getting it. A problem I am having is that I can't find anyone to finish this job now.
I paid cash in installments and am kicking myself as there is no paperwork. I do however have a photo of a note he had written which details the dates of when I paid him. I also have a string of texts conversations we've had and will keep these to one side.
What can I do in a situation like this? I'm left with a kitchen I'm very disappointed in. I'm frustrated that the builder is not taking my calls. Is there a chance of compensation? More importantly, I'd like to make sure that he doesn't do this to other people. Is there somewhere he can be reported? Are Trading Standards the best bet?
Thank you
Many thanks.
The job should of taken 4mths and we moved out to a relatives, 6mths later we have just moved back in after falling out over the sub standard workmanship & have been left to liaise with electrician & plumber to finish.
We didn't have a contract & subsequently have been left with huge bills to rectify bad work & unfinished elements which should of been part of the original build.
Have we got any comeback on the family member we employed? The build is substandard and elements are not as per our plans provided. I hope you can advise us
I have taken my case to central government who simply cover up the failings of their flawed "consumer" legislation, whilst leaving us victims financially ruined. I can produce evidence that shows the disdain with which victims - and that shouldn't just be the old and vulnerable - are treated by the "system".
What is needed are genuine protection, not "guidance" that when it all goes wrong is woefully inadeqaute!!
They advised me that there was an outstanding bill of 14 unpaid skips totalling approximately £4,000 and once this amount was paid they would collect the skip. I subsequently had the skip emptied as I was unsure of its contents but the owner still refuses to collect it saying that I have an obligation to settle his debt.
I don't have a contract with the firm and have suggested to him that he should be in touch with the liquidator. He in turn has suggested that there are rules that entitle them to return the waste previously collected (which they claim they still have) until the outstanding bill has been settled.
This seems very odd to me so I thought I would check with you and see what advice you are able to offer.
Many thanks.
We have said we will pay 'the agreed amount' (implying the sum agreed at our meeting) once all the works are completed to our satisfaction. He says that until we pay his invoice in full, he will not release the electrical certificate. Can he do this legally?
The works are due to be completed this weekend. After that, we plan to send a cheque for the amount agreed at our meeting, together with a copy of his account, highlighting all the errors he made, and a letter reminding him that we are willing to accept those errors as agreed at our meeting
Week 1 they turned, up with no tools the it took them 3.5 days( 4 hour working, days )labourer turned up on first day pat striped the old fence, day 2 he fitted 40 feather boards, stopped every time it rained, day Les evans who is the owner of evans and evans turned up and spent 3 hrs striping down the fence his labourer had assemble, both work only 3.5 .hour working on day 3 by the Friday the both worked: les evans 4 days off I to pick his 2 other business, labourer pat 2 day if they had bin there the didn't work in the rain was there excuse. still no tool only pound shop ones. They were borrowing mine I was amazed, there 2 electric drives on their last legs
week2. clearing and slabing the did well worked 15 hours5 a day each, no slabs they were fetch the material daily seem les had not order the slabs. the rest of the time was spent levelling the patio. Other two days both had off it rained. just before they finished on the wed, les said he need more labour hours which I said he'd only done 18.5,then said they wanted topsoil.£35 I said ok he order it. and queriied as it was not on the fixed price quote.
week3 les missed Monday, Tuesday, wednesday Thursday, pat was preping Monday pat 5 hrs, Tuesday pat unloading 8am till 3 (7hs) (41(! short) 2x2 6 3X2 6 off pat broke 3 slabs) the week earlier les said their was cost save to be made using recycled slabs, I said ok,thurs . 17 slabs fitted in 3 day since Tuesday. as the money was paid upfront for new slabs I thick I bin well done by a couple of cowboy.
What advice can you give me ?
Can I go to the police and report him for harassment? He is also trying to make out because he put dates in the contract instead of milestone the JCT doesnt apply.
Its a terrible mess.
He is gonna keep asking for 28,000 based on his estimate its starting to affect my health and my sleep as well as not being easy on the pocket
of MY HANDYMAN GY Gorleston - I was too. I took him to Court and won (of course) Please note though that I took MATTHEW WAITE to Court and not his Company MY HANDYMAN GY because if you take the company to Court, they can close down the business and start up another one again - as seems to have been the case with regard to your case. Take him back to Court - just do exactly as you did before - but use his name and you will win - because he is a cowardly bodge jobber. He is out to make money as easily as possible and just move on to his next victim. He appears to have no proper experience or qualifications and just does everything badly. He caused me a great deal of disruption and hardship and did not care. He was not so cocky when the judge ordered him to pay me in full and my costs! I wish you every success. LW
we have also hire White Eagle Modern Building Solutions - and as you said "Quote very competitively, and appear hungry for the job and say they'll be finished very soon". we started work with them Dec 2014 and job still not complete. we have serious issues with them!!!!! can you please get into contact with me to discuss "white eagle" cheers
qualified. He gave me written confirmation he would be issuing part p certificate. Work was a shambles and had to be redone. Trading standards were useless took months of them avoiding me and having to ring up over ten times in one afternoon to get through. Was told in the end by trading standards they will try and get him for using the nic logo but it took them 3 months to decide this and in the meantime he took his page
down. I've put a group together now facebook, Barrow trades cowboy watch. I have the voice recordings from trading standards on there now.
They have being doing it repeatedly. Avoid them at all cost.
Especially LUKE WILKS
Max
he wanted to start work immediately and had a young boy with him (12-14 years old) his son who was learning the trade and was currently not at school (being home schooled because he was being bullied) Before I had time to think about it, and knowing that my house did require some renovation work on the windows and porch (where the wood was rotten and glass about to fall out if something was not done) I okayed it. He said he would not take payment until after completion He talked about Sandtex paint and hammerite paint on the frames, and four coats of protective paint. Before I said yes the son was removing ivy from the window frames and sanding them smooth.
They worked on my home for 3 days (partial days) and requested half the money after a couple of days of intensive painting. I am no expert so I trusted them to do a good job and use the correct paints.
Sadly they used trade paint of some inferior kind and painted all the windows shut meaning nothing would open. After the final painting he said all the windows would open and work properly- he took his money and left. he insisted on cash payment ofcourse.
I feel like an idiot. I phoned him to ask him to come back and ensure the bedroom window which always opened would open, he said he would be back the next day early- he did not come back. I had to get someone else to open it for me from outside. The person who opened it, said they had not painted it properly- there were gaps in the painting, places they had missed and I had been frauded. It was not properly done and the ten year guarantee was a joke because the work would let in water within a short time let alone be properly done.
I feel so foolish. Possibly the two men were connected- the first huge estimation and the second (which would be about right for properly done work) I am warning everyone who might look for someone to do their work against this man and child- the boy should be in school not painting. Joseph Box (or Bax) is a fraudulent decorator - do not employ him. If this message gets to people and makes them aware of his existence then I will achieve something. I just feel very foolish and angry.
The engineer lied to me and told me that he had done a magnacleanse power flush and filled our 20-year system with inhibitor. It turned out that he never did any of that when I challenged him!
He also hid a descaler and did not fit it even though I paid for it!
The pipes were not levelled and were not straight either!
Soldering lumps and soldering drizzle everywhere and all over the pipes!
Snapped some tiles while he was trying to bend some pipes coming out of the wall!
Left loose bricks around the flue terminal and did not cement them! We can't let our kids in the garden now because there is a risk they might fall down!!!
The engineer also fitted a magnetic cleaner (TF1 total) on the wrong side of the heating system even though he could have easily installed it on the return side instead of the flow side!
He told me that the TF1 acts as continous cleaner and there was no need to do power flush when I challenged him!!
He installed a Vaillant 350f thermostat but did not know how to operate and asked me to read the instructions manual and figure out myself!!!
He left our property without bleeding the radiator and we only realised because the radiators were cold even though the central heating was on!!!!
He insisted on taking the cash payment and never issued/emailed any receipts as promised!
Booked me for Easter Sunday to come and finish the above jobs. He never turned up and put the reason down to lack of materials during the Easter Bank Holiday. To my shock I learnt from his manager that he was away with his family on pre-planned holiday!!!!
Company manager Lewie Cobb never answered calls or text messages after his engineer (Ashley Mooney) took the cash payment!
Lastly, we managed to arrange for the work to be done on Tuesday after the Easter Bank Holiday, but on Tuesday morning the engineer texted me to say that he was not coming and that I should get another engineer to do his unfinished work!!!!!
Now they do not want to fill out the new boilers benchmark paperwork for the manufacturer's warranty! so we now have a new very expensive boiler fitted with no warranty whatsoever!!!
I've never been messed about like this and I feel really angry how Gas Safe could accredit someone like him and his manager to go into peoples' homes and carry out gas work!!!!
This company put my family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, we had to buy extra carbon monoxide detectors!
The gas pipe issue is now being handled by Gas Safe through a complaint I filed online!
Can anyone advice on what to do for the above non-Gas
I am a single mum with two young children and when I paid him,he did not provide me with receipts. The worst rogue and his team : Rick (Irish guy),Clive an pensioner plumber,odd job man Lee Evans and Darren a rubbish carpenter. AVOID AT ALL COSTS AND SAVE YOURSELF THE MONEY AND DISTRUCTION THIS MAN AND HIS COMAPNY CAUSE!
They claim to take the hassle away from the customer, all they do is take away your money.
Paid deposit for material and labour.
Only thing that turned up was 2 ton of sand and no labour.
Phone number I have is now dead and have sent numerous emails but unfortunately have had no response, have a feeling it's a made up email.
Suppose I only have myself to blame, at least i didn't pay out too much money.
Hope this saves anyone else from these con men.
Not answering phone?
I wanted to share my frustration, we have just had a crappy builder walk off the job because we refused to pay him any more money!
What should have been an amazing Kitchen extension has turned into a disaster, he has left us in danger by not fitting the electrics properly, supplied the wrong gas pipes, not put the uvpc back door on properly, his plaster work is terrible the list goes on!!
His name is Ranjit Bansal from Bansal Enterprises so people beware.
The build should have taken 12 weeks he has taken 6 months! We have started the process to complain about him to trading standards!
We put our trust in him and he took us for a ride. He lied about so many things the building inspector cannot pass the build untill everything is rectified.
Any advice would be most grateful.
Hope anyone can help.
We are having some building works done , scared to find a cowboy builder we decided to opt for an architect which runs also all the works as a project manager. He did the designs and give us a breakdown cost and time of frame to finish the job. We are now running two weeks late and we asked to get more people which he promes we would have but we only have one person working. N
Is there anything I can do as I only have an email where he states the breakdown cost and the amount of time the job will be done.
We have paid most of the job. And it seams that even the worker is a bit tired and very slow now
Silvia
Management Company: PCUK Limited - Mark Bartlett.
Builders - D J Hutchings Limited of Towcester - Nathan McDonald.
DO NOT allow these Companies to do any gas works.
Their reason they say being the grinding out took longer than expected and having to keep the dust down to keep my neighbours happy.
The job didn't take any longer than originally verbally discussed and during later discussion no mention was made of charging me to keep the dust down ir charging me for him discussing with my neighbours.
Ps they've missed a bit as well
How do I respond? Thankyou
A friend if my son offered to do some work for us because he was short of work and needed some money, he did a great job repairing our garden shed so I asked him to replace a window for us, he agreed, measured up, gave us a price which we agreed to, he asked for £350 up front to buy window and fittings, I agreed, we haven't seen him since, he made lots of excuses and has now stopped answering his phone or replying to texts, my son has asked him to repay the money to us, his own family have tried to intervene but he continues to evade repaying us, we cannot afford to write tho money off, he doesn't have a business so I feel I have nowhere to go, any advice will be much appreciated, thanks.
He has taken over £40k and promised to deliver a renovation and extension in 6 weeks. It's now 8 months in and there is still major work to be done.
What's been done in parts is extremely poor eg. shower tray laid beneath ply in two rooms so new tray and also door required, no plumbing from first fix to shower head, new door entrance botched so that door surround short of edge of wall, window installed without lintel, live wires in electrics not traceable, osb not fully installed on extension although internally rooms have been plastered, plaster board work has only been partially completed requiring me to complete this.
Rain leaking in both old and new part of house due to poor workmanship on roof. Other roofers have visited and said this is the worst job they have seen - the wood panels are set too wide, there's not enough overhang on the tiles, the tiles are broken in areas, the gully's are too wide, the felt is the wrong material, there's no edge support at the corner of the tiles, there's no overhang on the tiles so new cladding on exterior walls will be proud of roof and therefore lead to more leaks, the old and the new tiles don't join properly ..... Where do I stop?
He was an absolute charmer to begin with and I was completely taken in. He then starting giving a whole lot of reasons why there was no workmen on site eg. he burnt his feet in concrete, one of his guys fell off a ladder, car broken down ..... They'd turn up late and leave mid afternoon mostly and were taxied too and from our home. When you complain, he sends a worker round to do a bit of work.
I've tried getting quotes from other builders and most have been appauled at our living conditions. There is no hot water downstairs, there is a door as a kitchen worktop, he's used insulation panels to "secure" the external wall he's knocked down.
He does not confine himself to any particular area so works all round.
There are other victims that he's also not completed work whilst taking advances from them.
He was extremely abusive recently to me, which was really quite scary.
There really should be a more effective way to deal with such builders - they ruin people's lives and have no interest in what they believe behind.
Terrible company.
They are owned by a lady named Maureen Quinn and although at first she seems very sweet and kind I later found out to my misfortune what a con wife she really is.
I carried out a bathroom installation for this company at short notice after the original tradesman had walked off the job after the first day.
Maureen phoned me to go and see the job with her and to lie to the customer about what had happened the day before with the other tradesman.
We agreed a price and the job got under way, Maureen was supplying all the material and certain days when I went to do things the material I needed either wasn't there or was wrong.
I had to go and pay for the correct material out my own pocket to keep the job on schedule, what Maureen failed to tell me during this time was she was in Spain and not to bothered about the job as she had already had a substantial amount of the money from the customer.
The customer was getting really annoyed as she could never get a hold of Maureen and seemed to have lost faith in her.
In the end the customer withheld her final payment and got me to do the things Maurern was supposed to do, then deducted it from the balance due to Maureen and gave Maureen the rest.
Maureen said a few things had went wrong during the job and she wasn't happy about it, I have to admit there was a few hiccups but they were sorted out and the customer was over the moon with the job that was done.
The job was supposed to take 2 weeks but lasted 8 due to Maureen not being around, not ordering the correct material and basically not caring.
The job finished 2 months ago and needless to say I still haven't been paid, my lawyer is now in the process of raising court action with the customer willing to be a witness.
One very annoyed tradesman.
AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!
I suggest people very vigilant in relation to all salesman and be very careful regarding making any payments up front. It's always worth while checking individuals and companies in respect of previous CCJ's.
An upsetting stressful experience ,
They were asked to remove all overgrowth which included many weeds and unwanted
out of control vegetation. Four apple trees also needed to be removed in order to facilitate a parking area, off road at the side of my disabled daughter's property for off road for her vehicle. They were also asked to erect a couple of walls in the back garden area as well as a crazy paving section and for planters constructed with old railway sleepers, for the purpose of planting some in season plants for bringing some colour to her sad back garden, which is now riddled with deep-rooted weeds
Included in this work was to replace rotten wooden fencing with concrete facing.
They spent much time in conversation with neighbour's who were opposed to any change and took instruction from them as to how it should proceed
regardless of improvement ! ? Now some months later...my daughter has experienced the shoddiness of their work - the removal of weeds have grown out of control despite treatment they applied. The jobs they did need to be re-done.
This Country has many cowboys who pose as though they are adequate and bleed vulnerable people of their money (even life savings)
There should be a Law to eradicate or reduce this kind of practice.
very very sad mother
At the time I did not question what he was doing but I have recently noticed that the roof joist had started to sink. When I took a closer inspection of it, it seemed to have some masonary missing.
I am now suspicious that he somehow damaged the brickwork holding up the roof joist.
I would be very happy to talk to someone about this.
Yours Stephen.
He suggested (the roofer concerned) what seemed a reasonable idea to heat and apply mineral felt over the valley to cover the cracks and thus resealing it water proofness.
This must be said should have only been an exterior job, that should not have really needed a visit into the loft space.
But whilst he was in there I clearly remember hearing him hammering very loudly at something inside the loft.
Now for a job that really only required sticking felt to the outside gully, this really does not make a lot of sense, but admitedly despite some intrigue as to what he was doing, I did not ask.
It has been relitively recently in the last five years that I have noticed I dimple in the ceiling where it meets the wall.
This progressed to getting worse and eventually leaking quite badly.
On closer inspection in a fit of curiousity I cut away a piece of the ceilings, plaster board.
I found that the joist was missing massonary that should have been there holding it up, and without this masonary, had started to slowly sink.
It seems odd to me how this masonary went missing, and over the course of the life time of the house of atleast 40 years, since it was built. it has only be rather recently in its relative history that it has shown the signs of the roof rafter sinking.
I must admit that I suspect that without good reason that he may have hammered away the masonary that supported the rafter.
I still distinctly remember the roofers name and company, it was Edward Hurst.
I feel that this might be suspicious and would wonder if there is any way that the incident could be further investigated, and if anyone else has had any such difficulty with that specific roofer and his company.
Yours very ineterested to have a reply from you!
S. Corner
It is anticipated that the Interim Liquidator will be appointed next week and will then contact all known creditors in order that they may claim in the liquidation.
My wife and I have had similar problems with Raymond Khan and Garrion Design. It appears that the company is being liquidated: Russell's, who own the unit at Hillington, have changed the locks so it looks as if they're not expecting him back.
I believe that he should be 'outed' as a con man/liar/shyster/thief (no need for appropriate deletion) as I would doubt that any legal recourse is available to us.
There may be a chance of getting some money back through the Chargeback scheme (check out choose.net for details).
Perhaps we could pull resources/experiences?
He does not pay tax or back up his guarantee promised on his website .
AVOID at all costs.
i HAVE CONTACTED THEM ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS, AS THEIR IS A TEN YEAR WRITTEN GUARANTEE WITH THE JOB, THEY DONT EVEN REPLY TO LETTERS ,i,AM NOW INSTRUCTING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THIS COMPANY IN CRIEFF, ALONG WITH CONTACTING THE MEDIA CONCERNING SAME
Just a quick question that you may be able to answer? does when a Property Developer builds a property that doesn't conform to either the NHBC or/and National Building Regs and then sells it with paperwork that suggests to the buyer that the property does conform classify as fraud?
gave him money up front to start with he told us we had to pay up front for windows and garage door total 2100 pounds.garage door was not even ordered and windows cost 860 pounds not bad but he charge us 1560 pounds
he was never on site. the time when he did come it was about 10am and he sat in his van till about 10.45am .he would then leave about 2pm with not much work been done now he wants us to pay for more materials up front and then he said he do the work .he has left us in a big mess. funnything after he started this job and got our money he went on holiday to spain. have been told by other builders he has done this before got the money and walked off the job.wish i could name him .
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