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Reporting An Unreliable Tradesman

By: Tracy Whitelaw - Updated: 14 Nov 2019 | 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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Avoid Dimension Abbas Builder Ltd. He is a cowboy builder. My roof is leaking, bathroom sink not fitted properly so now leaking. Left skirting unfinished. Hasn't sealed the bathroom. Tiling is hideous. Calling him to finish the job and he's avoiding our calls. When we get through to him he says tomorrow and doesn't turn up.
Princess - 14-Nov-19 @ 9:24 PM
Stay away from bathroom fitter Mr Nathan Westwood based in wakefield. He took 30%advance payment and never came to do the work. He will give excuses each time. Suchba shame to other sincere tradesmen but NEVER pay any advance. He will beat any quote because he had no plans to do the work! Full address. Nathan Westwood, 202 church Avenue, south kirby,pontefract, WF93QJ.
Ameen - 11-Nov-19 @ 12:14 AM
Please steer clear of waheed hussain butt of wb infrastructure limited Birmingham, he took out 2 Chimneys in my home which is still costing me till this day. He left holes in the roof which was letting in the rain, now I'm having to fork out a structural engineer to come out and assess the structure of the property. He's a liar and a thief don't trust him!
Caz - 4-Nov-19 @ 7:57 PM
Watch out for a Mr Chris wilson Newman from Durham / Teeside area. Scammed me out of Tens of Thousands of pounds on a large building project. A total Fraud. Deserves to be jailed. He has done this to many people living in Durham . He works sll over the Teeside area & north east. Originally From Newcastle. Also used to run a rogue company called Hartburn Lofts.
Jesh - 2-Nov-19 @ 10:48 PM
RUMOUR WINDOWS / HOME IMPROVEMENTS Frimley/Farnborough. Fitted me front door and windows. After 2 years issues arose with door not locking. Tried calling repeatedly and Left voicemail AND sent email. Never heard back. Got someone else to look at door, inferior fitting they said.
tinker - 26-Oct-19 @ 8:25 AM
We hired a local roofing company may 2009..we had a bad leaking roof .Paid 2400 deposit and after weeks of excuses had to get other roofers in in july .They then refuse to return deposits ..After a lot of digging which i know we should of done first we find out one of the roofers was made bankrupt december 2018 .He set up a new business in january 2019 . Chris lomas from winsford cheshire and jason lomas from same location .These two are liars and thiefs .We are currently going through the courts .Chris lomas is still trading with a new name and asking for deposits upfront .Please stay clear of him .
Lozzer - 14-Oct-19 @ 4:15 PM
Hi We recently hired a person to supply only a kitchen . He came to our home measured up. Srnt a diagram of the kitchen and a sample of a door. He supplied us with 3 tradesmen for other work in the kichen... all 3 were superb and the kitchen should then on the other trades work..been delivered on 3rd August8 weeks later, and after transferring £3.800the person never came ignoredcountkess phone callstext messages etx... one excuse after another. So I got his freind, who had recommended him to sit in my car and ring him to ask why he hsdnt delivered ... it was unrealhe admitted on my recording..he had taken our money was nit... going to return it..admitted had..cash flow problems andhad spent it... He them made contact and told myself and my wife..he would not only deliver the kitchen but.. fit it for no costyet... in the phone conversation ADMITTEDit was supply only ..he told his freind he wasnt even getting paid to fit it... he came after 5 days he had complete just several hours work and produced the worst workmanship I have seen psI'm a joiner .. he failed to return for two daysignoring our phone calls..he eventually answerd where... after consulting a solicitor SACKED HIM we then sent him a deadline to return our money withing 24 hoursI sent him the video of him inciting himself and admitting he had taken our money ... I then found out his father's contact number ..I rang him told him his don was .a conmana thiefa liarand told him about the 24 hour deadlineI also sent him the copy of his son admitting taking our money... the following morning..we rang his father to inform him that..if the money owed to us.. was not in our bank by the end of the 24 hour deadlineour legal team would be in touchincluding we were to put the video on social media...thankfully for usthe full amount owed was paid back... he asked that..I delete the video and return tools he had left on our property... at present they have not..been returned o feel guilty that if..he gets them back.. he will do the same to someone else... I intendto ring a solicitor to see if I am breaking the law into handing them backhe damaged our new tiled floor and washerattempting to make up United... can I name and shame Regards Paul
Jr - 27-Sep-19 @ 9:03 PM
Hi We recently hired a person to supply only a kitchen . He came to our home measured up. Srnt a diagram of the kitchen and a sample of a door. He supplied us with 3 tradesmen for other work in the kichen... all 3 were superb and the kitchen should then on the other trades work..been delivered on 3rd August8 weeks later, and after transferring £3.800the person never came ignoredcountkess phone callstext messages etx... one excuse after another. So I got his freind, who had recommended him to sit in my car and ring him to ask why he hsdnt delivered ... it was unrealhe admitted on my recording..he had taken our money was nit... going to return it..admitted had..cash flow problems andhad spent it... He them made contact and told myself and my wife..he would not only deliver the kitchen but.. fit it for no costyet... in the phone conversation ADMITTEDit was supply only ..he told his freind he wasnt even getting paid to fit it... he came after 5 days he had complete just several hours work and produced the worst workmanship I have seen psI'm a joiner .. he failed to return for two daysignoring our phone calls..he eventually answerd where... after consulting a solicitor SACKED HIM we then sent him a deadline to return our money withing 24 hoursI sent him the video of him inciting himself and admitting he had taken our money ... I then found out his father's contact number ..I rang him told him his don was .a conmana thiefa liarand told him about the 24 hour deadlineI also sent him the copy of his son admitting taking our money... the following morning..we rang his father to inform him that..if the money owed to us.. was not in our bank by the end of the 24 hour deadlineour legal team would be in touchincluding we were to put the video on social media...thankfully for usthe full amount owed was paid back... he asked that..I delete the video and return tools he had left on our property... at present they have not..been returned o feel guilty that if..he gets them back.. he will do the same to someone else... I intendto ring a solicitor to see if I am breaking the law into handing them backhe damaged our new tiled floor and washerattempting to make up United... can I name and shame Regards Paul
Jr - 27-Sep-19 @ 9:02 PM
Wow! another victim of Nick Coxon and TBP. Took money, dug holes to put me in a vulnerable position and never showed up. Con man. Got a CCJ against him now.
Gordon - 27-Sep-19 @ 4:42 PM
DEAR CHERIE, It is CiPHE. I used one of their experts to complete me a 50 page report, identifying each and every building regs breached, professional opinions etc. Took this to Court. The Builder told the Judge it was all my fault, etc. and that I had paid the expert to say these things. I was awarded substantial compensation, he got a CCJ. It took me bailiffs to recover, but I received every penny. Well worth it. Stick with it. Builders do make mistakes, but its how they deal with issues and problems that matter. That is when you really see what they are all about. When I found other people that wanted to give me statements about their experiences with this guy, I knew I had to act, and I did. It was his arrogance that insulted me most. Good luck !
Southwood - 9-Sep-19 @ 7:33 AM
Avoid Spencer Lewis trading as Elementa de terra - landscape gardening, at all costs. Took over £6000 off my neighbour ( a woman ) and promised the world. He never delivered. He started off by doing a bit here and ther but never actually finished anything he started. Then he started asking for more money as he needed it as he had underestimatded, and was also going through a divorce. He eventually moved from Runcorn to Exeter and blocked all contact with her. After paying nearly all the £6800 quote, my neighbour is left with an unsafe structure, which is incomplete, and shoddy work all over. The plants and materials account for less than £2000 and a new builder, who is well respected, has quoted over £3000 to fix only half the work he started. He is not too pleased with the quality of work he has inspected. AVOID A ALL COST - DO NOT SUCCUMB TO SPENCER'S GIFT OF THE GAB..... IT WILL COST YOU DEARLY....
Spooky - 28-Aug-19 @ 9:26 PM
Beware of Ashley and especially his father, Gary, who claim to do landscaping work. Ashley goes by A S Y landscaping. They are both corrupt and thieves. They will ask for money upfront and then never complete the job. I will soon upload their pictures and car registrations too.
Riff - 27-Aug-19 @ 1:37 PM
Beware of Daryl Thomson of Cumbria Gas and Heating who ripped me off by thousands.He is a thief.
BS - 23-Aug-19 @ 9:20 PM
BEWARE of Builder Greg Pawlik of 37 Queensland Avenue N18 1AT did some building works on property. As per his request we paid him £2500.00 refundable deposit for the council to obtain scaffolding permit.This was done via bank transfer on 8th February 2019. Now that the work is completed, scaffolding put down & Greg having received the deposit refund back from the council, he is now refusing to refund the £2500.00. We have made several request for him to return the refund but keeps on giving excuses.
bt - 22-Aug-19 @ 4:41 PM
This website is as much as a fraud as it claims to be stopping. They take your details and share with third party’s. There is now to contact them. And they allow anyone to post with no evidence or chance of replying. It is just here to take your information!
Matt - 20-Aug-19 @ 1:23 PM
Adam Shah from Imperial Plumb Services, Birmingham. Avoid this man he is rude and not reliable. He damaged the pipes in the bathroom and we paid him for that thinking every thing was ok then we started to have a leak!We got another plumber to fix his mess ....AVOID HIM.
Hello - 9-Aug-19 @ 1:50 PM
Avoid TBP building service Ltd! Nick Coxon the director will take your money but either little or no work done! He even owned the brick layers £4.5k and always give excuses like customers don't want to pay!!!!be aware
Gina - 19-Jul-19 @ 12:03 AM
Sam Nicholson from Gravesend Mobile Mechanic preys on the elderly and vulnerable. Strips cars down and demands cash to repair. Never gives a proper quote before doing a job. Never answers his phone after scamming someone elderly and vulnerable. Police are involved and another mechanic said the car is a death trap and keep it off the road until he repairs it. I just hope he will learn his lesson when he in prison
Gravesend - 2-Jul-19 @ 2:12 AM
Tommy Hilding from H&H Groundworks of Tornbridge Kent took my deposit and never did the work.He started ignoring my calls. I hired them through Quotatis. Be careful.
Conned - 20-Jun-19 @ 3:16 PM
Abusive painter - Timon Smith advertises as painter & decorator operating in the Ipswich, Suffolk Area. He states 15 years of experience but does shoddy work. I have over 20 photos. Had to get my locks changed after he threatened me in my home & tried to force re-entry. Luckily I had the door to push back on. I was very shaken. Asked him to leave 5 times. He's persisted to use veiled threats & harassed me for payment by sms. this is still ongoing.
Dinky_Dee - 18-Jun-19 @ 8:46 AM
Nick Coxon Gainsborough avoid this trader. Literally a thief will take your deposit and never show off. He trades under TBP Building services ltd. Watch out!
Jessica Potter - 13-Jun-19 @ 8:34 PM
Richard Bradshaw has a CCJ against his name, owes us £4,631 for a large refurbishment job he took on between Dec 18-Mar 19. Told us it would be completed in 3 weeks, totally unreliable, constantly disappeared for hours on end, brought his young girls on the job, friends and family would come visiting at any time of the day. Electrical sockets and kitchen left incomplete for weeks on end. Used excuse that he was having treatment for cancer, that his kids were unwell when in reality he was hungover on the days he should be working. Work is shocking, left holes in kitchen cupboards, plumbing next to electrical sockets, unfinished tiling, rubbish plastering. Took money for materials that never arrived on site. When looking back through receipts we had been charged for tools for his business. I could go on. Do not use him.
Shabina - 25-May-19 @ 11:41 AM
Guy called Adivalter Sfalsin - in some instances Adivalter de Assis - in case he changes his company name; says he can install a kitchen, gets put in touch with appliance manufacturer and even taken to their showroom and introduced to advisers there to ensure he has everything he needs as far as knowledge of how to mount them and access to instructions. Then starts the job with “be assured, we will do a great job for you” and then can’t be bothered to follow manufacturers’ guidelines for installing a very expensive hob that subsequently breaks causing damage costing £800 to repair (see picture with chips of glass next to left front corner of hob, left unprotected by his substandard installation) as a result of not being mounted flush as per design and instructions. Never cleared it with either client (me) or Miele. I queried whether it was done right with one of his workers on the day I first saw it, as it was not how I remembered it when I took him to see appliances at the showroom and I felt a little disappointed as I’d pictured it flush - the worker said “yes” and I trusted him. Then Miele confirm months later after problems that he didn’t do it as per design or instructions. However refuses to redo the installation, which Miele have since described in writing as “definitely not recommended” for the model. His response is “to me the case is closed” because it took me several months to lose my initial trust in him and get Miele over to establish first-hand how badly he’d done the job. Do not trust, do not use. Trading standards ref: 15494063, ongoing and escalating dispute which really shouldn’t need to take place, but which I will happily keep potential clients of his updated on here. PS he’s also the author of the classic quote: “you should have told me you wanted an Ethernet cable WITH TIPS” (after he took my money to run an Ethernet cable under my floor so that I could link up my home network across two rooms) - 7 months after the end of the job he’s still not managed to tip it and clearly is unwilling to pay someone competent to, so the wire’s completely useless.
Mat - 14-May-19 @ 7:35 PM
I was recommended a gardener on local mums Facebook group. He came to give me quote, all seemed well. I need only 3 panels fitted. He send an invoice and I paid for materials only. Via bank transfer. On the day he was supposed to come he texted he has van problems, then 3 days later he said he bought a new van and will come tomorrow. Tomorrow he said he will not come because of strong winds, the day ended up being sunny with light breeze, it was May. I made a complaint on a fb page where he was recommended, he then said I am slandering him. Then he promised he will pay me back though he has bought the materials. Then he said he will infact return the materials to me. One week later, no money no materials. He is still responding to my message saying he is very busy. His name is Connor Stevens of CJ building and gardening service Carshalton.
Ellie - 12-May-19 @ 6:31 AM
Avoid Marcus Wright of Skye Conversions, based in Tamworth. He claims he can do lots of jobs and is a Plummer, but what he also does is steal hundreds of pounds off pensioners, well he did me. Every word out of his mouth is a lie.
Ada - 7-May-19 @ 1:48 PM
I would like to clarify something I run Somerset flat roofing I changed name following a split with my family I always try to provide a good service if things have not been or gone right I’d gladly put right in fact contrary to remarks on here I can provide references and gladly let any future customer see work I have done Obviously you can’t please everybody
Somerset - 6-May-19 @ 10:59 AM
Avoid any company run by ADAM FRY in Somerset or the surrounding areas. This man is a liar, a thief and a cowboy. He did a poor job on my flat roof that wasn’t flat or watertight from Day 1, then denied ever being at my house and wanted to sue me for leaving bad reviews. He deletes all negative feedback and makes threats to harm people for questioning him.He currently trades under AVALON FLAT ROOFING, ALL COUNTIES FLAT ROOFING, SOMERSET FLAT ROOFING, SOMERSET FLAT ROOFING EXPERTS & SOMERSET FLAT ROOFING SW - but regularly changes company name to avoid being sued. Currently listed in Wells (BA5) but is also trying his luck in Taunton, Wellington and Frome. Please beware, I’m thousands of pounds out of pocket because of this man. Take the time to google the above company names & see for yourself.
NobodysFool - 30-Apr-19 @ 6:17 PM
This guy was doing a roof a couple of doors down from us, He came knocking at our door asking if we wanted our roof refelting/rebattening and using existing tiles he said £1500 (thought this seemed a good price) BUT When i went to see the chapI asked about his public liability insurance. He tried to tell me he wason Check a trade but could not show me any paperwork He was in a crappy white transit van (when checked reg plate I found it was untaxed) I could find no company with the name he claimed to be on companies house website He produced an insurance certificate which looked dodgy as there was no VAT registration number on the bottom I had seen enough and was not going to use this man as I was suspicious. the next day he started put a load of materials in my driveway I went and told him I was not getting the work done he started accusing me of saying I had told him to proceed which I had not done so. after a lengthy argument I just turned my back on him and shut the door he
not a mug - 26-Mar-19 @ 10:09 PM
Hi I Hired a builder to build our rear extension we had planning permission for this we took 3quotes of different builders checked various details of the builders , found one the builder very friendly and accommodating to what we want to do so we hired him he goes by the name o'hanlon Bespoke Homes LTD, and o'hanlon driveway's and conservatories so they started working on the extension dugout foundations all good then started to erect the walls but before they started the walls I did say I need to talk to you about this he ignores me and carry on but when I got back from work lucky enough he was thier I spoke to him about this that this is wrong he said I given more room at the front , before even he had started working he's said he will do the paperwork as in getting a parting wall agreement this wasn't done now I've got bigger Walk way to the side of the property anyway we told before they started working we are going away for 2 weeks these 2 weeks went by the builder didn't come back to finish with this in between the building work he was very persistent about the money as we were supposed to pay on the drip bases and now he's taken our money and done a runner trying to contact him he won't answer any of my emails and messages this cowboy builder is Sam o'hanlon Bespoke Homes LTD and o'hanlon driveway's and conservatories please don't hire him if you see him report him he's rouge trader.
Nav Bhurji pop - 15-Mar-19 @ 11:03 AM
Employed Williams Construction of Ramsgate to refurbish a two bed flat for my 80 year old mother. Provided detailed plans of the required works and stuck to them. Paid a premium for extra hours and man power to get the job done in three and half weeks, which Robert Burgess the owner promised would be done. Despite his constant promises it took nearly two months, with delays due to a series of mistakes made by his men and the fact he was hardly ever on site to quality control the work. They constantly complained and tried to cut corners to the agreed works. Then ended up botching the wetroom resulting in further time and money having to be spent on trying to correct and repair the amateurish tiling, poor carpentry and installation of the wetroom fittings, which they damaged. Despite walking off the build without finishing the work to a good and proper standard Mr Burgess has since used without my permission photos of the flat on his website. Avoid these bunch of cowboys at all costs.
Richard L - 12-Mar-19 @ 10:05 PM
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