How to avoid cowboy builders

(16/07/2010)

In the UK every year, over 3 million people are affected by cowboy builders. The overwhelming majority of botched building jobs are entirely avoidable. Paperwork can be a big giveaway – as demonstrated by this fake estimate, compiled by ProblemSolved.co.uk, which contains its fair share of alarm bells.

Here are some things that might help you avoid a cowboy:

1) If a company doesn't publish a business address and only lists a mobile number it can make them difficult to contact in the event of a problem. Once the company invoices you they have to provide a business address so it's worth checking this box before it's too late.

2) The quotation doesn’t go into anywhere near enough detail. What exactly is the money going on? What bathroom suite is it? Does it include plumbing? Does it include the tiling? All of these elements must be itemised in detail.

3) The deposit is about 60% of the total build cost – this is a lot more than would normally be payable (normally 25%) and payments should be structured against work completed.

4) Try to get at least 3 quotes before accepting a job. Check out the NEW! Get a Quote service on ProblemSolved that makes it easy by sending quotes directly to your inbox. Visit ProblemSolved Get a Quote to find out more.

5) Alarm bells should ring if a builder is only encouraging payment by cash or if the company is listed as limited but the owner is asking for a cheque to be written to a personal account.

6) The company is listed as a limited company but the owner is asking for a cheque to be written to a personal account. Normally, the cheque would be made out to the company for tax purposes.

7) The company is quoting VAT not only at the incorrect rate but hasn’t included a VAT Registration Number. This is compulsory when charging VAT on any transaction.

Related categories:  Installation and maintenance