Getting money back from cowboy builders

miggy

Happytogetdebtfree wrote: »

Ah miggy i am wide awake I think I've probably got the back lash of some if the bugs going round at work. Il keep well hydrated and rest more I wish i had a holiday to look forward to xx

Poor you... hope it doesn't last long.
The bug, that is. I know just what you mean about the holiday! I could do with some sunshine too :-) Now I'm being greedy because we had weeks of it over the cold spell, but as soon as it gets grey again I long for spring.
Keep looking after yourself and maybe we should allocate ourselves a virtual holiday in much the same way we have virtual parties? Now there's an idea! Get your bags packed, where are you going?!

QPR_Boy

OK so I am a bit late coming on board,but just saw the Prog om BBC "eye" and decided my TV Licence is money well spent for 2010 just on this one Prog.
Well done to all involved, every single one of them,but, most of all Good Luck to Mike & the boys in 2011 & the rest of their lives.
These Ladies make me laugh Tissues!!

Just got the Bath Sheet down from upstairs it soaks up more.
Not too proud to sob,shows I care.
Regards,Del.

Mike1901

I'm probably going to be the first of 100s of new people (or, in my case, people who read this amazing place every day but never have time to post!) posting here after reading the weekly email, but anyway, I dont care as I feel I need to let this out

Mike - from one graphic designer to another, you are an absolute legend. Period. To go through what you have is unimaginable to most people reading this, myself included, and I just feel an immense amount of pride to see that you've stayed strong through all of it.

I also feel a great amount of pride aimed towards the forum community as a whole. To see huge projects like this stem off someone sharing their story on here gives me a huge warm feeling inside my (currently buggy) stomach

So to summarise, a HUGE well done to everyone involved with getting this project finished - from the people who initially suggested it, to the (very impressive) people who actually were able to go down and give the team some extra manpower - it really does restore faith in humankind

Currently watching the program on iPlayer, looking forward to seeing the end result in about 20mins!

lisawaters

cherisong wrote: »

Hello all. I arrived back from Germany at 5pm last night - iplayer on at 6.30 (I cannot tell you how fed up Mr C was hearing me saying that we have to get home to watch DIY SOS lol) Well, what can I say? This programme always brings a tear to my eye but knowing the back story of all the support for Mike and what you have been through Mike just set me off the minute you came on screen. It was a lovely programme, the house is stunning and only what you deserve. By the way I loved the roses before the garden was done but they looked amazing when the garden was done. Now as for the boys and all the girls (women) falling for them I totally get it. I also now get what MG meant when she said that you have a twinkle in your eye and she is a sucker for a man with a twinkle!

Mike - here is to 2011 bringing that twinkle back forever.

Thank you for allowing me a peek into your world. Good luck with the window peerers! Who knows how many friends you will make in the local area now!

Showing the sort of dedication we expect there, cherisong! One thing I remember from the blur of the day is checking to see whether the BBC had stuck the roses on and if they were real! They were so perfect. I don't think they were out when I decamped on the 9th. Of course they were real, but then whatever the BBC wants, it gets!

Ah, the old twinkle in the eye! Someone said they saw that in 1986 so it's nice to know it's back again! I must have felt quite happy then...

lisawaters

QPR_Boy wrote: »

OK so I am a bit late coming on board,but just saw the Prog om BBC "eye" and decided my TV Licence is money well spent for 2010 just on this one Prog.
Well done to all involved, every single one of them,but, most of all Good Luck to Mike & the boys in 2011 & the rest of their lives.
These Ladies make me laugh Tissues!!

Just got the Bath Sheet down from upstairs it soaks up more.
Not too proud to sob,shows I care.
Regards,Del.

There's someone in touch with their feelings! One of us!

Thanks!

imataloss

Mike as a long time lurker I remember reading your first post (when you were still known as Lisa) and how desperate you sounded.
I watched the programme and even your previous photos/descriptions of your house didn`t show the full horror of how you were having to live.
You, with the help of many others have battled against adversity and you now have a beautiful home to begin the rest of your life.
I wish you and your boys good luck and every happiness

lisawaters

Mike1901 wrote: »

I'm probably going to be the first of 100s of new people (or, in my case, people who read this amazing place every day but never have time to post!) posting here after reading the weekly email, but anyway, I dont care as I feel I need to let this out

Mike - from one graphic designer to another, you are an absolute legend. Period. To go through what you have is unimaginable to most people reading this, myself included, and I just feel an immense amount of pride to see that you've stayed strong through all of it.

I also feel a great amount of pride aimed towards the forum community as a whole. To see huge projects like this stem off someone sharing their story on here gives me a huge warm feeling inside my (currently buggy) stomach

So to summarise, a HUGE well done to everyone involved with getting this project finished - from the people who initially suggested it, to the (very impressive) people who actually were able to go down and give the team some extra manpower - it really does restore faith in humankind

Currently watching the program on iPlayer, looking forward to seeing the end result in about 20mins!

Hi Mike

Thanks and welcome. Are you sure you're a graphic designer? Your spelling's suspiciously good!!

I just saw the weekly email too; I'm famous at last! I hope a few people see the thread and join up. We've got an ace bunch of peeps on here just dying to help people.

Lots of people get through just as much bad stuff - and worse - every day of their lives. What's the alternative? The point is we all keep it secret and don't ask for help because we feel guilty of causing it or allowing it to go on for too long. My first post was uncharacteristic of me in the extreme - asking for help because I'd run out of resources to deal with anything more. And that's the point at which everything started to change. Also it's nice having an audience while you have a jolly good moan.

The other point is to accept help when offered. I always had a problem with that, and feel it puts me 'in their debt' somehow. I'm sure if you asked anyone on here they'd tell you that's bollox. Takes time to get over the feeling of failure though.

I hope you enjoyed the film and are ready to answer questions on it, and on the two threads... :cool:

m

lisawaters

imataloss wrote: »

Mike as a long time lurker I remember reading your first post (when you were still known as Lisa) and how desperate you sounded.
I watched the programme and even your previous photos/descriptions of your house didn`t show the full horror of how you were having to live.
You, with the help of many others have battled against adversity and you now have a beautiful home to begin the rest of your life.
I wish you and your boys good luck and every happiness

That's true. It wasn't very pretty then. I did what I could to make it basically habitable, and it was fun in the first summer, but then when it became obvious that I wasn't going to get the money back anytime soon if ever, it stopped being fun and became deeply worrying. Also, I have always done my previous homes up to the best of my ability, taste and budget, and it was really lowering to be SO far from having somewhere I felt proud of and to which I could invite friends. Then it all just spirals down and becomes permanent because there was no way out of the situation.

Thanks for your kind wishes. Really appreciated.
x

Mike1901

lisawaters wrote: »

Hi Mike

Thanks and welcome. Are you sure you're a graphic designer? Your spelling's suspiciously good!!

I just saw the weekly email too; I'm famous at last! I hope a few people see the thread and join up. We've got an ace bunch of peeps on here just dying to help people.

Lots of people get through just as much bad stuff - and worse - every day of their lives. What's the alternative? The point is we all keep it secret and don't ask for help because we feel guilty of causing it or allowing it to go on for too long. My first post was uncharacteristic of me in the extreme - asking for help because I'd run out of resources to deal with anything more. And that's the point at which everything started to change. Also it's nice having an audience while you have a jolly good moan.

The other point is to accept help when offered. I always had a problem with that, and feel it puts me 'in their debt' somehow. I'm sure if you asked anyone on here they'd tell you that's bollox. Takes time to get over the feeling of failure though.

I hope you enjoyed the film and are ready to answer questions on it, and on the two threads... :cool:

m

Still at uni and training myself up to be a graphic designer, but thats where I hope to be professionally in 12-18 months time - Im only 21 so got a long life ahead of me to get good (well, so I hope - no guarantees!)

I know exactly what you mean about hiding things when you're in trouble - it's like losing a sense of pride by admitting you need some guidance - we all know its rubbish but still do it, guess its human nature! Same with accepting offers for help, I just dont like doing it without knowing what Im giving in return!

Your house is stunning though, I'd love my student flat to be decorated to that standard!

As for the quiz - I've been ill n stuck in bed all morning, n no sign of any will to move yet, so I might start brushing up (already had a skim-read lol!)

vandanfc

Hi Mike

Finally got to watch sky+ and see the big build unfold in all its glory. What an amazing job they did. So glad that you posted on here and got this superb result at the end. The change in you was so visible. Great sons you have there, a credit to their father.
Hope you are still enjoying your new life and new home. Onwards and upwards for 2011.

Best wishes

Vanda