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Reporting An Unreliable Tradesman

By: Tracy Whitelaw - Updated: 7 Aug 2020 | comments*Discuss
 
Reporting An Unreliable Tradesman

It can be financially and emotional crippling when you realise that your hard-earned cash has been wasted on a rogue tradesman. As the number of 'have-a-go' tradesmen continue to rise in the UK, there are a number of reliable firms popping up that offer advice and help on choosing a reputable tradesman when you need work conducted on your home. If you're unfortunate enough to be one of the people who do end up involved with a rogue trader though, you need to know where to report your grievances in order to ensure nobody else is conned by them.

Talk to the Tradesman First

If things go wrong when you're having work carried out by a tradesman, the first step to try and resolve any issues is to speak to the tradesman. Always give them the chance to put it right and make any complaints known to them initially. Many tradesmen will take this opportunity to try and rectify the situation, as they won't want their reputation being harmed. If you feel that the tradesman isn't listening to your concerns, put them down in writing and give him a deadline. Send the complaint letter to the tradesman's head office, assuming there is one, but remember to always keep a copy of what you sent and when. If you find that there's no resolution through this means, the next step is to report your tradesman.

Citizen's Advice Bureau and Trading Standards

One of the most common places to report an unreliable tradesman is at your local Citizen's Advice Bureau. They will be able to give you advice on your legal status with regards to the work and also whether you may be able to make a claim against your tradesman. They may also be able to offer you some kind of conflict resolution or mediation, so they're definitely worth visiting and can give you advice for free on most occasions. Another possibility is to report your tradesman to Trading Standards. Trading Standards are specifically interested in protecting the rights of consumers against businesses and in ensuring that businesses are within the law and delivering what they promise. You can contact your local branch of Trading Standards and they will give you advice on the next step regarding your unreliable tradesman. They can often provide you with contact details for trade associations or advise on what the best course of action is for you to resolve your dispute with your tradesman. They may even investigate it themselves and keep you updated on the situation.

Reporting to a Trade Association

If your unreliable tradesman is part of a trade association, then you should be covered by their code of conduct. If speaking directly to the tradesman doesn't work, contact their governing body and ask for advice. They will want to uphold the standards of their association so will be keen to investigate anyone they believe to be unreliable. Normally, a trade association will speak to the tradesman on your behalf as well as offer you some kind of arbitration service to try and come to a resolution. They can also get the tradesman back to work if they've left the job unexpectedly. This is one of the reasons that it's important to check your tradesman's credentials before agreeing to any work being carried out - if your tradesman doesn't have a trade association backing him, you're putting yourself in financial danger.

Online Sources and Unreliable Tradesmen

Another option when it comes to reporting unreliable tradesmen is to use the multitude of online resources to warn others about their poor service. Websites such as TradeCheck or associations like TrustMark welcome information about poor tradesmen as they will make sure they spread this knowledge so others can avoid them. A new service from search engine AskAlex has also been introduced where individuals can run an immediate check on businesses to ensure they're reputable. The service is set up in conjunction with Dun & Bradstreet and will cost a mere 7.50GBP to obtain. It will give consumers a star rating for a business, full contact details, any criminal history, profit figures and an overall judgement of the business. This method should be used to avoid rogue tradesman initially, but can also help in your reporting of any unreliable tradesmen. If you do suffer problems with your tradesman, make sure you report them as early as possible - helping other avoid them can at least give you some peace of mind.

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Please don't use J C fencing and ground works based in Harrow, Hayes and Bushey area. Owner name Jay / John. They have started my garden work and asked for advance payment for materials and since he has received money he stopped answering my phone calls and never returned to work. He left big mesh behind and now we have to find another company to finish this work.
Bi - 7-Aug-20 @ 8:17 AM
Renish Builders out of afton okla dremodeled my bathroom Horrible tile job Everything they did was messed up Everything!
Bel - 4-Aug-20 @ 5:46 PM
Avoid Devotional Property Care in Brigg (North Lincolnshire). A relative of mine recently had a roof repaired by them and it was done to a very low standard indeed. So much so that the roof failed and let in rain water again only 2 months later (we had a 12 year guarantee). We tried to contact them through their website but they never anser the phone. Their address is registered as 1 Westrum Lane, Brigg, North Lincs which we found to be a fake address. However, Not too far away from that address is a Westrum Park which is an industrial estate full of caravans. We traced the business there. And guess what? Yes, they are travellers. We contacted trading standards who stated that there was not much chance of getting them to come back and next to no chance of getting the money back. The owner of Devotional Propery Care is a Mr Nathan James Wilsher. So be warned people. A lot of roofers out their are using false addresses to get your business because they are travellers and only want your money.
Stephen - 1-Aug-20 @ 1:33 PM
Please don't employ Prestige Home improvements. Owner Michael Gavin did a terrible paving job. All being replaced by a professional company who were appalled by the poor workmanship. All paving in sand/soil when lifted to investigate As a result paving had sunk. They came back to relay originally but not with hard vase underneath. The people who assessed were horrified. You have been warned.
Jilly - 1-Aug-20 @ 11:55 AM
I advise no one to use a company called cooks bgm from plymouth DevonRipped us off with materials took us 6 weeks too get small garden decking half done,then came to our house threatening us with our son in house! Have proof of everything and witnesses will be taking it further...
Nostalgia29 - 31-Jul-20 @ 8:38 PM
Do not have any work done by Ian Chalk and Damien Lapworth based in Torbay, Devon. They will take your money, cause damage to your property and then create an argument between themselves to dissapear off site. Contacted them numerous times only to be told they will complete the work. They don't show up or if they do they ask for more money. They are a 'Jack of all trades' we had them to paint exterior of our house, to include replacing facias, and render. They damaged our roof and wall.
Natz - 28-Jul-20 @ 4:24 PM
Stay away from DRS DOUBLE GLAZING BASED IN RUISLIP.Complete rip off merchants and absolute cow Boys. They promise you a great job but leave everything a mess.Had to wait 3 months for them to clear a load of rubbish from my harden &they left the job unfinished.Terrible workmanship and liars.Avoid at all costs.DANIEL SANDERS the company director is a liar, cheat and scammer.Do not use.Took our money and left a messy incomplete job.
Ssruth - 25-Jul-20 @ 10:51 PM
south mersey property maintenance.. Director Jon.. Request a deposit.. Once paid they didn't show up to start work..gave them second chance didn't show up Contacted him few times no luck.. Requested my deposit back.. Refuse to pay back.. Do not use this company
Myproffs - 25-Jul-20 @ 12:49 PM
velux window fitter absolutely a cow boy you will end up with leaks. name adam says his company is keylux ltd his number is 07940098808. stay away from this cow boy.
JD - 24-Jul-20 @ 4:46 PM
Please beware of Taha Ali Said (Taha Builder) mostly works in West Yorkshire area Halifax/Bradford). He is from Iraq. Not a trustworthy tradesman. He is basically a Looter who will ripped you off your hard earned cash. Keep changing quotation in the middle of Work. Pretending himself a religious person and money doesn’t matter for him but actually he is not , he is a biggest lie and cheater. He isbig mouth andvery abusive in his language.Please my humble request stay away from him and his company. I am going to report him to police.
AA - 14-Jul-20 @ 1:05 PM
Another for Dean Brightwell. Pressured us to pay money throughout without even one job being finished satisfactorily. Left us with half finished jobs some of which are unsafe and a big pile of rubbish. We now have to get somebody else to finish the work and correct the problems at considerable cost. Avoid using him for any jobs as he will let you down and take your money without any remorse.
GPJ - 10-Jul-20 @ 10:55 AM
Please beware of Electrician ADAM GAD. I contacted him through CheckATrade. He had his own business Electrical Infinity. He came initially to change a light then told me that my fuse box (RCD) was dangerous and needed to be changed. I was frightened and let him change it subject to having a certificate. He assured me he would be sending it but never did. I then found out the fusebox was carelessly installed and it would cost a lot of money to fix this. He agreed he was negligent and said he would fix it but after that he blanked me. He has stoped membership of CheckATrade and stoped his business. He is now employed by Islington Council and works part time. This man is a confidence tricker and should not be in anyone's home.
Angie - 8-Jul-20 @ 2:58 AM
Please help. Had a guy into re fit a kitchen and small toilet room. He's done a bunk , paid £10.000 to him. And has left the loo in the hallway,taken up floorboards. Left kitchen with a job, washing machine and fridge/freezer not able to use. Was doing our kitchen for just over 4 weeks. Left ALL sockets either hanging or not connected at all. Spot lights hanging, and the new radiator just left in porch. Paid for the rubbish and brick work to be taken away , and still everywhere. And left a RSJ steel on front garden. The bit of tiling he has done has fallen off. Still 1/2 to do. And other bits. Please can you help.
Kitchen - 26-Jun-20 @ 10:21 AM
Same issue with Ruffles carpentry as comments before.. took nearly £1000 and we’ve been left with a shoddy wardrobe that’s falling apart. We were too kind and trusting. He’s now ignoring our messages and calls too.. I’ve so far discovered 3 others who have had the same experience with this awful man. Not even bothering with courts as he will probabl5 worm his way out of it
Jasmine - 25-Jun-20 @ 5:31 PM
Carl Joseph bather of cjbather Ltd and Lewis bather Ltd is a cowboy builder not capable of laying concrete correctly he does not construct/build walls with any kind of competence He doesn’t tie them in properly resulting in structural building failure he also does not use a correct mortar mixture to bond building materials together resulting in walls and roofs failing & literally slipping apart , He is an incompetent machine driver he managed to drop a wheelbarrow full of faulty mortar from the 3rd scaffolding lift almost hitting someone, He is totally incapable of fitting coping stones to parapets resulting in them falling off roofs with potentially fatal consequences constantly coming up with excuses for the appalling work quality. It’s been the wrong type of sun that made things hot, the building stone was too smooth, it’s all the architects fault , it’s the structural engineers fault , it’s the customer’s fault , Eventually trying to intimidate customers by making false allegations to the police that disgruntled customers are scratching his cars and slashing their Tyres because customers have to sue him for his incompetence
Vaz - 20-Jun-20 @ 2:31 PM
Carl Joseph bather of cjbather Ltd and Lewis bather Ltd is a cowboy builder not capable of laying concrete correctly he does not construct/build walls with any kind of competence He doesn’t tie them in properly resulting in structural building failure he also does not use a correct mortar mixture to bond building materials together resulting in walls and roofs failing & literally slipping apart , He is an incompetent machine driver he managed to drop a wheelbarrow full of faulty mortar from the 3rd scaffolding lift almost hitting someone, He is totally incapable of fitting coping stones to parapets resulting in them falling off roofs with potentially fatal consequences constantly coming up with excuses for the appalling work quality. It’s been the wrong type of sun that made things hot, the building stone was too smooth, it’s all the architects fault , it’s the structural engineers fault , it’s the customer’s fault , Eventually trying to intimidate customers by making false allegations to the police that disgruntled customers are scratching his cars and slashing their Tyres because customers have to sue him for his incompetence
Vaz - 20-Jun-20 @ 2:22 PM
I have well and truly been screwed over by a carpenter in Suffolk from Woodbridge. He quoted to do a building in our garden. We stupidly trusted him and paid him £6800 upfront. He then made excuse after excuse as to why he wasn't doing the work. We kept believing him. He turned up for 3 hours over the course of 7 months. Yes, we are too kind and gave him chance after chance. He has now told us he has spent our money and cannot pay it back. So we are left with a shoddy base that was done in 3 hours, and needs to be dug up and done again, no building and no money. I've cried and cried. It's financially destroyed us at this time and he's now ignoring us and the courts. We are so lost. His name is Connor Ruffles from Ruffles Carpentry and we have all the proof. The devastating thing is, we would have tried to sort this out of court because we are too damn kind, but he refuses to answer any of our messages now. So, it's now resulting in me earning others too.
Kate - 18-Jun-20 @ 4:39 PM
A work colleague is doing work he is not qualified to do He knows what he is doing but dont think that he should get aqualification to do the work He has done work for people who are very qualified in what they dohe basically is doing jobs on the cheap He is taking work from qualified people who have worked hard on what they do
Problem - 17-Jun-20 @ 11:57 AM
So many complaints about this dean brightwell scammer, why has no one pursued him properly and claimed their money back im wondering! You should atleast get your money back and not settle to leave him be, hes only going to carry on scamming others. Just because he has ignored your small claims court dont let him get away with it, has anyone managed to make him pay?? Sounds to me he needs to be taken into account for his actions, how heartless of him to con so many for thousands if not more
Why - 15-Jun-20 @ 6:46 PM
I also was conned my Dean Brightwell he was meant to do a 2 day job which he never finished he scratched flooring left holes in ceiling the wardrobe fell apart. He ignored my small claims court claim so I'm going to have to find someone to redo the work.
Jules - 12-Jun-20 @ 11:46 AM
Dean Brightwell, from Coventry and works in the Midlands area. A con man. Scammed me more than 5k, false promises, accusations, ripped out the bathroom and bedroom floor boards,, walls left bare, not plastered or bircked up etc. The house has been lying vacant and trashed, worse than when I brought it and I am living in horriblr conditions due to him. House has been a complete tip and refuses to acknowledge or give any response. I have sent notices, working through the bank and next step is claims court and contacting the Trading standards and newspaper outlets even. Don't be fooled by his pleasant speech and false words. My kids and wife are unwell yet he still continuously scammed us, without any scruples. AVOIDE THIS MAN. This has been ongoing for months, I complied to his every demand and lost out, big time.
Legal Aid - 28-May-20 @ 2:25 PM
Securico cctv systems (NB - NOT SECURICOR) Great at booking stage! Then - we were told by email they would come between 10-11 am, and would call us 15 mins before, but they arrived at 9 am with no notice at all! They put up cameras where THEY wanted, not us, and they were totally useless poss as options with nothing covered that we wanted. The guys were rude and when I complained one of the engineers said “Sorry luv”! They refused to move them and left nails, cable clips and bits of wire all over the garden for the dogs to tread on or pick up! There was a total mess where they didn’t bother to clean up, and they blasted a brick to smithereens! This is on a new build house! They also said they knew nothing about a doorbell but this was a lie! When I complained the company were full of apologies and sent more engineers in the afternoon, to make good the mess and place the cameras where we wanted and they refused to move them and when I told them to remove the one at the side which was looking at next doors’ window and path, the got argumentative - in exasperation I said you mats as well remove the lot! One of the guys was apologetic and said we can have them where we want them but the argumentative one went outside, ripped the cameras down and left holes in the outside wall and spread a dollop of plaster over the hole inside - uneven, piled up and splattered on the wall. A 2 year old would have made a better job with their hands! The outside has a great big ugly black plasterstuck on it! Please see Facebook for photos! 26 May - the company want to send a builder who does their building work to put this right - I said no as they will obviously say a bit of polyfilla will do the job - rather than costing the £400 (approx) we have been told by a builder that the job will cost! I contacted citizens advice and sent them a letter by email stating that they have not taken reasonable care and they have totally ignored my letter! I am now taking legal action! BEWARE! 28 May - securico will no longer speak to me - they have not rescinded today my email dated 15 May and I have made several calls to them which they do not reply to! They have stopped responding to emails or calls. I tried to speak to the MD today and the call handler in customer support told me he is out of the office, so I asked to speak to the lady dealing with the complaint and the call handler said he would put me through then came back and said she is in a meeting with the MD! I am now taking them to court!
Janutd - 28-May-20 @ 11:59 AM
Carl Joseph bather of cjbather Ltd and Lewis bather Ltd is a cowboy builder not capable of laying concrete correctly he does not construct/build walls with any kind of competence He doesn’t tie them in properly resulting in structural building failure he also does not use a correct mortar mixture to bond building materials together resulting in walls and roofs failing & literally slipping apart , He is an incompetent machine driver he managed to drop a wheelbarrow full of faulty mortar from the 3rd scaffolding lift almost hitting someone, He is totally incapable of fitting coping stones to parapets resulting in them falling off roofs with potentially fatal consequences constantly coming up with excuses for the appalling work quality. It’s been the wrong type of sun that made things hot, the building stone was too smooth, it’s all the architects fault , it’s the structural engineers fault , it’s the customer’s fault , Eventually trying to intimidate customers by making false allegations to the police that disgruntled customers are scratching his cars and slashing their Tyres because customers have to sue him for his incompetence
Vaz - 26-May-20 @ 8:32 PM
I am an oncology patient so can no longer work. I paid £500 for a shed to store my art materials as I am an artist . I hired a man from gumtree calls himself “the honest handyman” or swaps it to the “reliable handyman” there is a photo that looks nothing like him of someone holding a jet wash, not him as he is bald. He goes by the name of STEVE GEE . and claims he had 33yrs of experience. My shed is distroyed he drilled holes through a metal shed ???? He was aggressive demanding money , I gave him nothing. He also ruined my garden furniture by standing on it. Please please avoid this creature, my savings are gone and all I have is a mess to pay someone to dump. I have just got through chemotherapy and was looking forward to continue my artwork in the sun.
Rasher - 24-May-20 @ 11:10 AM
Natural order landscapes,edinburgh leith area. Claims to have 30 yrs experience on gardening,landscaping and fence building. Took money for materials and agreed a daily cash set fee. Dragged out a VERY poor standard of work, in 3 days half a fence up (barely) wobbly,fence posts 11.8 ft apart???? screws from beams to postsbroken off ends of posts so not secure or fully attatched, fence all squint and one post was easily lifted out of ground by hand!! So much for being cemented in was only half a foot in ground! Didnt fancy my chances on decking was told to do one and drop of rest of my materials! Claimed didnt charge me for them as was gonna get it off his own back ( yeah right) so out of a good amount of money dont be fooled people check,check and check again before parting with cash.
Liz - 12-May-20 @ 6:19 PM
John Irlam Domestic Appliances Oldham. Looking on google reviews he’s charged everyone else £40 call out charge and charged me £60 today, didn’t fix my washer dryer either this guy has no clue what he’s doing he didn’t even know washer dryers without condensers exist and tried to rearrange my washer dryer saying the manufacturers have made it wrong! and was funny about bank transfer demanded cash, BEWARE DONT USE HIM!
Harrie - 2-May-20 @ 10:24 AM
Ordered a 6 yard skip from lytham skip hire Lancashire. They delivered a 4 yard skip I measured it and calculated the size it was under 4 yards. When we rang them an complained the woman told us it was the new size and if we wanted a bigger one we would have to pay extra. We told then to take it away. Please avoid these charlatans at all costs.
Ollie c - 21-Apr-20 @ 1:03 PM
Dean Brightwell from Coventry.Read other reviews on this guy!!! Also known as RCD, but this company was dissolved in 2017.Excuses for not turning up, includinga made up funeral. Demanded the second payment and lied about needing to pay for materials, held us over a barrel. Didn’t respect house, left discarded drinks bottles on the oak furniture. We had to finish off stripping the walls in the end because it took so long! Ignores calls, but sends random barrages of texts accusing us of not being understanding.Wired up 2 pendant lights incorrectly, after plastering the ceiling, professional electrician had to remove flooring above the living room to remove and replace the wiring that Dean did.We had to have a plumber to fix the radiator he damaged. Only laid half the flooring, which then had to be ripped up and replaced by a professional carpenter. Damaged flooring had been laid, and done incorrectly.He’s a conman who takes your money, does a bit of work so you think you are making progress, then makes diabolical excuses not to continue.
Glad to see the back - 19-Apr-20 @ 9:43 AM
Joseph Dewing is NOT a landscaper!! He’s a labourer posing himself as a landscaper! He works with his sister under a stolen company name called Complete Landscapes! He’s laid slabs for my new patio with no ground prep. All the slabs on 35sqm are coming off!! Steps on retaining wall left unfinished and he’s now done a runner with my money! Tried to ring him and he won’t call pick up calls and only texts back saying that he’s self isolating for the past 3 weeks!!! My garden is disintegrating right before our eyes and it’s no longer safe for my children to play outside!!
FT - 2-Apr-20 @ 2:46 PM
Dean brightwell, from Coventry so unprofessional and kept asking for money but didnt finish any of the jobs he was asked to. Then he did a runner and im left in so much debt with a unfinished apartment. Works for his own company that he has listed as his own private business so can't even complain to anyone higher up. Alarm bells started ringing when he would do half a job then asl for more money for something else and carry on doing that. What a scammer!
Fa - 24-Mar-20 @ 11:26 PM
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