ASK MILES CONSULT & CONSTRUCT... HOW TO DEAL WITH DODGY BUILDERS! his is now becoming a very common issue within the Construction Industry. I always get calls about contractors not performing and over charging. It can not only disrupt the work, but can be very stressful for individuals having to manage them, to the point it can quite easily take over their life.
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Cowboy builders are the bane of the construction industry. There are, on average, at least 100,000 complaints every year about them. They ruin things for perfectly reputable builders, and for all the talk about them, they’re in the minority – it just happens to be a minority that gets a lot of publicity.
All of the above should raise red flags. You can protect yourself by having everything in writing and ask for a guarantee. Check references, talk to the people who’ve had the work done, and look at the work if possible. Ask your family and your friends for recommendations. Get several estimates and remember, cheapest isn’t always a savings.
A cowboy builder keeps finding extra jobs - unexpected problems can happen, that is what contingency budgets are for, but be suspicious if your builder keeps coming to you with extra issues and offers to fix as a favour while they are on site… for a fee. This could not only stretch your patience too far, but your budget, too.
The best thing is to learn to spot the cowboy builders early, so you can turn them away – it saves a lot of trouble later. WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS OF A “COWBOY” BUILDER?
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The first tip-off is if they asked to be paid in cash, or cash-in-hand all with a promise on no VAT to be paid. No legitimate business will work off the books like that.
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If they say a contract isn’t necessary, watch out – it’s vital in a business transaction
Most rogue builders don’t carry insurance, either, which again could work to your detriment if an accident occurred.
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Always ask for a written estimate and costings for the job, as well as a time frame for each stage of the work? A proper tradesman would, quite gladly.
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Where they do offer a quote, it could be unusually low, and they might offer to begin work immediately.
Do they have references? Do they have premises and a landline number, or simply a van and a mobile?
Is there timekeeping poor? It is not unusual for builders to juggle multiple jobs, but if your hired professional is disappearing for hours or days at a time – saying they’re going to be a few minutes and then don’t turn up until lunchtime, or they are constantly knocking off early – be wary. Question whether this is the start of a pattern that ends in them never turning up again and your new extension left only half-done.
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LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE
www.lancmag.com
