Cowboy Builders

[Bazile]

I want to build an extension to my house

You see a lot of people on the TV being ripped off by cowboy builders .

I dont know of anyone who has had building work carried out, so I can speak to them to see if they are happy with the builder .

How do I go about finding a reputable builder who will do a good job ?

I live in the West Midlands

[Buenchico]

Start here:
http://www.telegraph....-cowboy-builders.html

Then go here:
http://www.fmb.org.uk/fab/

Chris

[piggynose]

when you find one let me know, because i´ve been looking for one for ages now, and my place is also in Brum.

[The Builder]

If you're having plans drawn up Baz, ask the guy who he uses. If not, try going along to a builders' merchants and ask the guys at the desk, or in the yard.
If there was only some way you could contact MightWBA (who uses this site occasionally), he would know for sure.

[The Builder]

One thing I know about the W Midlands, Piggy................ is ............ no way should you call it "Brum" ........... you'll start a riot ;o)

[piggynose]

are some people a tad ashamed of admitting their postcode is B such and such?

[Bazile]

Thanks for your suggestions

There is an advert on the tv for - Trust a trader .com
Would that also be a good route to find a reputable person ?

[Buenchico]

Avoid:
http://www.ukbusiness...owthread.php?t=112524

[TCPG]

use a consumer protection guarantee , this guarantee protects you and your home from cowboy builders.You only pay each stage of the build when you are completely satisfied. In the unlikely event of a dispute , a chartered surveyor is dispatched to the job to adjudicate, there and then! A contract is written up in plain English. No deposits are payable up front , the first stage payment can me arranged so that it is paid when the materials are delivered to site and the work has started , protecting you from runaway rogue traders
There are many online services that state that they have quality tradesmen, but take care to research what support they give you in the event that something goes wrong! In a few cases they offer arbitration (a chat) then it is off to court - and nobody needs that level of stress!
The Consumer Protection Guarantee web address is : www.tcpg.co.uk - it cost nothing to check it out -

[EcclesCake]

You could try checkatrade.com. My local council has a list of trusted builders/workmen too. Perhaps try your local council and compare against checkatrade?

[Nosha123]

checkatrade was rubbish for a friend of mine.
The guy had good references and then went on to rip them off big time!

[mightyWBA]

Hello Bazile..Better late than never..What part of Brum do you live in?
I know a few builders in the Black Country who are good chaps but it depends how far they have to cross the border into Brummie land! ;-)

[Mosaic]

I would use word of mouth recommendations - if you see a recent extension when you're out and about, make a note of the address and post them a letter asking who dun it. Put an SAE in. The worst they can do is ignore you.

[boxtops]

I go with word of mouth too - we have builders and roofers and sparks who are known to several of us, their reputation with several customers is at stake if they don't come up to scratch!

[Bazile]

Thanks - i live in perry barr near to one stop shopping centre