phoebe23 Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 I have just had a bad experience with a so called builder. Should we be allowed to name and shame these people, if only to protect others??? In these times of hardship and poverty the last thing you need is someone ripping you off and leaving you with a whole new set of problems!!! Why are we letting these people get away with daylight robbery yet we cant retaliate in any way, I wish someone had warned me and saved me a lot of cash I didnt have in the first place:rant: There should be a register of rip off merchants.
WOOFY Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 Sorry to hear of your mis-fortune with the builder but we can't name and shame on the SF It would help others though if you could explain more abouts whats happened to you so that others can be on their guard.
MZ2832 Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 Complain to Consumer Direct and get Trading Standards involved. They may be able to prosecute. People should get written quotes, ask to see credentials, and not pay unless satisfied.
Murphy Jnr Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 I have just had a bad experience with a so called builder. Should we be allowed to name and shame these people, if only to protect others??? In these times of hardship and poverty the last thing you need is someone ripping you off and leaving you with a whole new set of problems!!! Why are we letting these people get away with daylight robbery yet we cant retaliate in any way, I wish someone had warned me and saved me a lot of cash I didnt have in the first place:rant: There should be a register of rip off merchants. You can obtain names of reputable traders, think it's trading standards, someone will know and they might be interested in your bad experience i'm not sure. Word of mouth is probably one of the best ways to identify a trustworthy tradesman/woman. The building trade is flooded with monkeys who know how to hold a trowel and it's so easy to get business. A good start is a written quote, if they wont do that say bye bye.
phoebe23 Posted October 23, 2011 Author Posted October 23, 2011 Thanks for your advice. I did get a written quote and was recommended by a friend of a friend!!! The work seemed ok at first but by the job was coming to a close there was virtually no communication and as the job had been paid for along the way, no comebacks on their behalf. Since then another builder has pointed out many faults, though whether these are valid, god only knows??? I think I need to photograph all the 'faults' and run them past trading standards, just to be on the safe side. What a to do, why is nothing straight forward, seems like everyone is out to fleece you:suspect::suspect:
handypandy Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 There are rogues in all walks of life but builders and the motor trade seem to get the most adverse publicity. We hear the horror stories time and again, but usually all it needs is a bit of common sense. Word of mouth is by far the best recommendation and is the way most genuine trades generate their business. If you know of anyone that has had work done and they are happy with it, get the phone number, even if you don't need it at that moment. Another tried and trusted way is to get a recommendation from another tradesman that you may know. For example, if you need a plasterer or a joiner and you know a good electrician, he/ she will know other reputable trades, having worked alongside them. No decent tradesman would recommend a cowboy as their own reputation is on the line. It takes years to build up a good reputation and it can be ruined overnight, no one wants to risk that. As has been stated, get a written quotation on headed paper that shows the address. The quote should usually show labour and materials listed separately and you should be welcome to question anything listed. Quotes for larger projects will sometimes ask for stage payments, this is fair enough and standard practise. If you are in any doubt, get the stages listed and pay only when the stage is complete. Don't make any final payments until you are sure that you are satisfied. Any structural work will require approval by the council's building inspector, if you're not sure ring them anyway.
gnvqsos Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 I have just had a bad experience with a so called builder. Should we be allowed to name and shame these people, if only to protect others??? In these times of hardship and poverty the last thing you need is someone ripping you off and leaving you with a whole new set of problems!!! Why are we letting these people get away with daylight robbery yet we cant retaliate in any way, I wish someone had warned me and saved me a lot of cash I didnt have in the first place:rant: There should be a register of rip off merchants. you will face a wedge of law suits as you will need to prove wrongdoing
Harleyman Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 The first thing anyone should do before giving a builder a job is ask him for references. Get the names, addresses and phone number of people he's done work for before. Get a total of three. If he's unwilling to provide that get rid of him. A builder who is any good doesn't go around houses knocking on doors touting for jobs either. Get a written proposal from the builder first also clearly outlining the work to be done and the method of payment. I always required a nominal up front good faith payment prior to starting the work, then a second payment half way through the job and finally on completion the rest of the payment. I also provided a one year guarantee on all work done I also had a website and was listed with the better business bureau. I had written commendations from past customers for browsers to read as well as my state license number and liability insurance details.
skinz Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 Can I just check, are there definite problems with the work, or is it the new builder touting for work? It does kind of sound like you aren't sure, and that this thread is a bit premature. May be an idea to let the builder know of the concerns too considering the op was ok until late. If the op has a problem with the work then it would seem fair to allow the builder to rectify. As for touting, you're right. If the work needs to be assessed I would advise an Independent assessor who will not benefit from further work, not another builder. Either way everything should be in writing. A register of bad customers would be handy too...just to keep builders up to date like.
Riche Posted October 23, 2011 Posted October 23, 2011 There are plenty of cowboy customers also. Add work to the quoted job, don't pay, complain about the color of the piant they chose, bounce cheques, and blame existing problems on the last contractor in. Its a game of two halves. Did you pay the cowboy for his shoddy work, if so why. I either do the job right and sleep at night or leeve well alone. We are not all blood suckin scum you know.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.