Spotting Cowboy Builders & Rogue Roofers
We’re sure you’ve seen the Channel 5 TV programme Cowboy Builders. We watch in horror as these rogue traders damage the homes and lives of innocent families. They force people out of their homes and take money from unsuspecting victims, who thought they had found a trustworthy builder.
As we’ve been in the trade for over 20 years, we wanted to share with you our top tips on how to spot cowboy builders and even rogue roofers.
1. They are in a rush to start - Alarm bells should begin to ring if a builder is in a rush to start. Most trustworthy tradesmen will be busy and have other jobs to complete before being able to start your job. Cowboy builders will rush to complete (or not complete!) all jobs in a specific area before leaving without a trace.
2. Contact details - All genuine tradesmen will be able to give you an address and a landline number. If they’re only willing to give you a mobile number, you should ask questions!
3. Unable to provide references - Ask yourself WHY. Do they have the experience they claim to have? Do they have a good reputation? What do they have to hide?
4. Very cheap quotes/estimates - A cowboy builder will always wow you with their low prices, but don’t be fooled! Check that the quote you receive is clear, listing everything the builder will be doing. This will prevent them from being able to carry out any additional work (and asking for extra payment!) without your permission.
5. They ask for money upfront - Most tradesmen will cover costs themselves and ask for payment once the work is complete. Otherwise, they may ask for a small deposit. Anyone asking for full payment upfront should not be trusted! Good builders should accept cash, cheques or BACS payments. Builders insisting on cash are a no no!
Builders and roofers are a great help when you want to create your dream home, but not all of them will turn your dream into a reality. We hope our tips will help you to find a reliable and trustworthy builder, who you won’t need to report to Channel 5!
If you found this article helpful, please let us know! You can find us on Twitter at @avenir_roofing or pop over to our Facebook page and say hello.














