Ripped off By Builder

SouthernBellE*

JohnnyJet wrote: »

I forgot to mention that the show finally aired on Monday, just watched it and it made me cringe. I was so nervous when they were filming so I hope I managed to get my thoughts across.

I haven't done as much on the house recently but I have started the insulation and guttering. I am finding it hard to do my day job then spend every evening decorating.

:TMe Again! JJ I think both you & your wife did a brilliant job, be proud! Neither of you came across as nervous and your points were well made, I particularly liked the fact that the presenter pointed out the lack of help given to you both by the authorities.

Also liked the warning he gave your bad builder, the 'We know who you are' one!:T

I really do wish you every success through the courts. The fact that 31 faults were found in work he had carried out, some of which that were dangerous to you all prove that he was indeed a cowboy with no regard for your families safety speaks volumes about the mans character, he should be locked up!

I know it's been a year from hell for you all & I'm so pleased to see the worst of your struggles over as far as your living conditions are concerned. Hard to manage your day job and repairs, not enough hours in the day and dark winter nights making your days even shorter, still, be proud of how much you've achieved and how far you have come.

I wish you & your family every happiness in your home & am so happy that you will all be spending Christmas in your new surroundings not to mention a lovely new kitchen to cook your christmas dinner!

Blessings to you & bloody well done!

PS..please keep us updated on your legal battle as & when you can.

SB
X

lisawaters

Really good programme! Nice to feel it's not your fault, isn't it? The guy's a total !!!!!!!.

Now you can go after him for the money, but as a hobby rather than as a necessity. You'll get there.

I wonder if the new broom government will ever do something about these !!!!!?

epsilondraconis

I just watched you on TV too. You both did great.

Hope it all works out for you.

JohnnyJet

Thank you so much for all your support, It's great that you have all finally seen the house, unfortunately they didn't use the film that I sent them on the day the builder left the site. That would have shown the roof wide open and the mess that was left. Think it looks bad enough though. I have to admit that I struggled to watch the programme, I was very nervous about saying the wrong thing and wasn't sure how I would come across. They spent two days filming and interviewed several other people but looks like the couldn't fit it all in.

JohnnyJet

Happytogetdebtfree wrote: »

Well done jj the kitchen looks lovely and the windows are nice too keep up the good work and happy decorating as the man said bit by bit step by step you will get there big hugsxx

Thanks, these were things that we paid for when we actually had some money, so glad they didn't stay part of his contract otherwise it would be getting very cold now.

SouthernBellE*

JohnnyJet wrote: »

Thank you so much for all your support, It's great that you have all finally seen the house, unfortunately they didn't use the film that I sent them on the day the builder left the site. That would have shown the roof wide open and the mess that was left. Think it looks bad enough though. I have to admit that I struggled to watch the programme, I was very nervous about saying the wrong thing and wasn't sure how I would come across. They spent two days filming and interviewed several other people but looks like the couldn't fit it all in.

I can understand how hard it must have been to watch and it's not easy to put your self out there for the world to see. Home is supposed to be our safe haven, it's awful to deal with anyone coming into our homes and destroying it as well as any faith we had in people or confidence we had in ourselves.

If anyone should squirm with embarrassment or worry about how they were percieved, it should be your bad builder. That said, anyone that could have done what he did clearly has no morals, no concience and no shame.

Honestly, you both came across great. Be proud at yourselves for what you've done to get through this. I'd have loved to have seen a programme complete your whole house but realise how lucky anyone is to be chosen when there are so many people wanting to be featured. Again it shows that there are so many people caught by these rogues. I am sorry to see all you've been coping with but admire your strength. I think Clive Holland is brilliant! I know you have a way to go but am sure you'll get there. Still here for support along the way and to cheer you as you go. If I can ever give any practical help, say the word & I'll do what I can.

I know the financial hit is hard to bounce back from, I really do hope you get justice and recover some if not all of your losses. Keep your chin up & keep going mate, nearly there!

All the best

SB
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barbiedoll

Goodness me, it's one thing to read about your building disaster but it's quite another to actually see it on tv. I think you should both be really proud of yourselves, purely for the fact that you didn't give up and you have actually managed to make something of your property, despite the builder completely ruining it!

Hopefully, the courts will do something about this. Even if you get only part of your money back, it's the knowledge that none of this is your fault that I guess is probably as important. It's easy to look back and realise that we shouldn't pay builders up front and to get references etc etc, but how many of us deal with builders on a daily basis? For most of us it's a once in a lifetime scenario, it's not exactly like shopping for shoes or a car. And that's exactly why programmes like "Cowboy Trap" are even broadcast, how many people get stiffed by dodgy builders every year?...Thousands probably :mad:

You and Mrs Jet came across extremely well and it is obvious that one day, your house will be a beautiful home for you and your family. It's just going to take a bit longer than planned, sadly. Your hard work and resiliance will shine through in every brick and beam of the place and I hope that you and your family get the home that you have all waited so long for. Keep your spirits up and do keep us up to date with your progress. We're all rooting for you!

JohnnyJet

barbiedoll wrote: »

Hopefully, the courts will do something about this. Even if you get only part of your money back, it's the knowledge that none of this is your fault that I guess is probably as important. It's easy to look back and realise that we shouldn't pay builders up front and to get references etc etc, but how many of us deal with builders on a daily basis? For most of us it's a once in a lifetime scenario, it's not exactly like shopping for shoes or a car. And that's exactly why programmes like "Cowboy Trap" are even broadcast, how many people get stiffed by dodgy builders every year?...Thousands probably :mad:

You and Mrs Jet came across extremely well and it is obvious that one day, your house will be a beautiful home for you and your family. It's just going to take a bit longer than planned, sadly. Your hard work and resiliance will shine through in every brick and beam of the place and I hope that you and your family get the home that you have all waited so long for. Keep your spirits up and do keep us up to date with your progress. We're all rooting for you!

Don't think we will get any money back, the company is closing down and we can't sue him personally. I'm running out of ideas on that front. The police have found a few things, will just have to see if they take it further. If they do the it opens up a load of other options for us.

Progress is slow at the moment, am getting a bedroom ready for the children so they can finally move out of our room. There's a lot of things that I can do that don't cost much money so I'm not delayed by cost, just time.

JohnnyJet

lisawaters wrote: »

Really good programme! Nice to feel it's not your fault, isn't it? The guy's a total !!!!!!!.

Now you can go after him for the money, but as a hobby rather than as a necessity. You'll get there.

I wonder if the new broom government will ever do something about these !!!!!?

Yes I'm certainly not going to let it take over my life like it has done, I feel that we have all lost a year.
Don't think any government will think this is a worth while cause, no one is kicking up a fuss about it.

lisawaters

There are three programmes running at the moment about the subject of bad builders, so it's getting some publicity. But as it's 'entertainment' rather than documentary, it's not going to be seen as a big issue I suppose...

As I've said before, in the future consumer protection will be reduced further; we'll all be accountable for our own decisions and The System won't want to know. Look at the cuts in the police budgets... what's that telling us?