Cowboy builders
Hi
I'm reposting this from a blog that I write: We all know that these are hard times for the building industry and, especially for the small builder, the wet summer weather has not helped either. One told me recently that a job that should have taken five days had stretched over four weeks.
So we should applaud efforts to find work. But they can be counter-productive as in the case of the young man who approached my partner as he was on his way into the house. He was of course 'working in the neighbourhood' and offered first to fix the roof (not our area of responsibility as we are on the ground floor) and then to fix the admittedly dilapidated front path. When my partner said he would think about it and took a card, he thought that was the end of the matter. But no. Fifteen minutes later there was a ring at the front doorbell, and another young man stood there. His colleague had already set to work with a pickaxe. My partner, who has poor eyesight, expressed outrage but wasn't sure what had been done. They said it was an 'honest mistake' and scarpered.
Since when I have been trying to speak to the building company, with no success, and have also been in touch with the police. I would like some compensation. A job that needed doing some time is now urgent as the path is unsafe. And I know who I won't be employing to do it.
We make endless jokes in this country about cowboy builders. It is tragic that so many live up to their reputation. ( http://therooflightcompany.blogspot.co.uk) The builders are M&A builders, based in W14. Anybody had a similar experience?
I'm reposting this from a blog that I write: We all know that these are hard times for the building industry and, especially for the small builder, the wet summer weather has not helped either. One told me recently that a job that should have taken five days had stretched over four weeks.
So we should applaud efforts to find work. But they can be counter-productive as in the case of the young man who approached my partner as he was on his way into the house. He was of course 'working in the neighbourhood' and offered first to fix the roof (not our area of responsibility as we are on the ground floor) and then to fix the admittedly dilapidated front path. When my partner said he would think about it and took a card, he thought that was the end of the matter. But no. Fifteen minutes later there was a ring at the front doorbell, and another young man stood there. His colleague had already set to work with a pickaxe. My partner, who has poor eyesight, expressed outrage but wasn't sure what had been done. They said it was an 'honest mistake' and scarpered.
Since when I have been trying to speak to the building company, with no success, and have also been in touch with the police. I would like some compensation. A job that needed doing some time is now urgent as the path is unsafe. And I know who I won't be employing to do it.
We make endless jokes in this country about cowboy builders. It is tragic that so many live up to their reputation. ( http://therooflightcompany.blogspot.co.uk) The builders are M&A builders, based in W14. Anybody had a similar experience?
Comments
I just won't speak to anyone who knocks on my door and tries to sell me something, no matter what identification they have.
If I want something or I want something done I go out and find proper people.
I don't think these M&A Builders will be found because they have probably already moved on to another town.
I won't let anyone do any work on my house unless they come from a personal recommendation. And I've just discovered that Whick.co.uk has a list of recommended builders. They also give free legal advice to people having problems with builders, like you Ruth, but you have to be a member.
my last doorstepping experience was hilarious. a young woman turned up telling me that there were grants available for insulation, money supplied by energy companies and running out, so i had to sign up there and then. when i asked for a website address so i could look at the organisation and think about it when i had peace and time, she was amazed and said i was the first person to ask her for such a detail. it seems to me a very basic way to check something is kosher - that there is a website declaring what the organisation is for, nothing complicated.
Still, I think it's worth a try Ruth. Start looking for info about them on the internet, look them up on Companies House and the govt org that registers businesses. Also call Which for advice. I hope you get the buggers. I'd be livid if that had happened to me.
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