Cowboy builders: How to spot a rogue tradesperson and what to do if you’ve fallen victim

There's been a rise in reported cases of cowboy builders - what potential factors have contributed to this increase?

Transcript

00:00During lockdowns, people were spending more time at home and since then, working from

00:05home has become the norm rather than the exception. So huge numbers have added extra rooms or

00:11converted space for home offices and the like, and demand was outstripping supply for reputable

00:17tradespeople. Also, the instability in the housing market has possibly meant more people

00:23staying put and having work done to their existing properties rather than moving on,

00:28further increasing the demand.

00:30When we say cowboy builders, what exactly do we mean and how can we spot them?

00:33So cowboy builders often present themselves as experienced professionals offering attractive

00:38quotes that are significantly lower than those from legitimate companies. Essentially, if

00:43the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. These tradespeople may ask for large upfront

00:49payments or push homeowners to agree to work quickly, so don't be rushed into making a

00:54decision and take your time. Once the job begins, they might use substandard materials,

00:59cut corners or even fail to complete the project altogether. Before work begins, ask for quotes

01:05in writing, discuss qualifications and ask to see insurance documents. There's nothing

01:10the matter with that. In some cases, they disappear after receiving payment, leaving

01:14homeowners with unfinished work or worse, dangerous structures.

01:19Is there anything that can be done if you fall victim to a cowboy builder?

01:22Yeah, so firstly, stop all the payments immediately. Make sure to keep a thorough record of communications,

01:29contracts and evidence of the work that was and wasn't carried out. Contact your local

01:34trading standards office and consider filing a complaint with them or the Citizens Advice

01:39Bureau. It's also important to inform your insurance company and seek legal advice if

01:44necessary. If you find that the work is unsafe, you might need to hire a qualified inspector

01:50to assess the damage and advise on necessary repairs. But most importantly, spread the

01:55word to help prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.