Cowboy builder who conned pensioner out of £42k for measly square of fake grass faces jail as shocking pic reveals job
Dodgy suitor
Many of us let our guard down when confronted by a sharply-dressed, smooth-talking salesperson – but they are not always who they appear to be.
“Unfortunately, a cowboy builder doesn’t walk around with a cowboy hat and boots, so they are not always the easiest to spot,” Clive said.
“Looks can be deceiving and while builders should be smartly dressed, sometimes they may have just come from the site or a job.
“They may look a bit messy or their builder's bum may be on show, and while no one wants to see that, it doesn’t mean they are a bad tradesperson.”
Be wary of the builder from 'down the road'
Clive claims most people get lazy and forget to do their due diligence when it comes to arranging renovations and repairs.
This tardiness, he says, is behind many of the unfortunate tales of people being conned out of thousands.
Clive, who presents on Fix Radio, said: “If you’re looking for a builder, don’t immediately trust the person working on a house down the street.
“Go to your local builders’ merchant and ask them for the three best people they know. You’ll be surprised by how helpful they can be.
“The workers they recommend will be solid tradespeople, who are nice and pay the merchant on time – proving they are trustworthy.”
Ask to see their work
Clive explains that “any tradesperson worth their salt” will have worked on similar jobs to the one you are asking them to complete.
“Always ask to see a like-for-like job and then go to visit it to ensure everything is legitimate,” he said.
“If they give you an address don’t be afraid to go and knock on the person’s door and ask them what they thought of the work.
“If they have red rings around their eyes or are in floods of tears, you have definitely found a cowboy builder.”
How to spot fake paperwork
Before hiring any tradesperson for a job it’s important to ensure they are qualified, registered and insured.
Clive said: “Ask for a copy of their liability insurance and proof from official bodies that they have the right skills to complete the job.
“They should be registered with different agencies - call them to ensure they are registered and do have the qualifications to do the work.
"You should also call the underwriters for their liability insurance to make sure it's still valid.
“If they make an excuse about not having documentation with them don’t hire them until you see it because they could be a rogue trader.”
Always sign a contract
Clive says one of the best protections you can have is a Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) document, which outlines the work, materials needed and payment dates.
“A JCT protects you both by giving a start and estimated finish date, as well as the tradesperson's working hours and when they will take breaks.
“Sit down and go through each stage of the project: itemise everything they need and how much it will cost and both of your expectations.
“It may sound tedious but you’re paying a lot of money – everything from how many planks of wood to the number of doors."