Getting money back from cowboy builders

lisawaters

Rebranding can have side effects on you and your motivation too. I see that a lot. I'm glad things are panning out.

All OK here, thanks. I am slowly coming in 'from the wilderness' of the past few years. Desperate to get back to work, but not quite there. My problems are mainly financial now. I am not alone in that, but it doesn't half drag you down day to day!

Nice to hear from you.

Horace wrote: »

I havent been around much because I have been uber busy. I rebranded my business which seems to have worked wonders because now I have work coming out of my ears (sometimes it feels like that) plus I have picked up a small 8hr a week contract doing admin work which I bill at the end of each month - it keeps me out of mishief and helps me learn new skills (home computer still using XP Pro and Office 2003 - work computer using Windows 7 and Office 2010). I also went to Leeds on business - saved money on the train fare, the accommodation and I signed up for a Holiday Inn Express Membership thing which gives me points everytime I stay in one of their hotels - points means free stays:cool:

Today, I was at the eye hospital having a check up so my eye drops have been increased but I dont need to go back until August. Have also been to see the quack today about this persistent cough that I have had now for 3 ruddy weeks:mad: I just have to ride it out so managed to get some Potters pastilles - not the normal red ones but really evil white ones which appear to be stronger and more potent.

Can someone come round and sort out my windowboxes and my mini greenhouse? I need to find an extra pair of hands to do the growing and the planting.

Hope all is well in the little cottage by the sea?

MatyMoo

Just popping in to say Hi, I'm still lurking around

Butti

Our lecturer didn't turn up today - slacker - ill, so he says , if you say so! So this afternoon we sat outside the Student's Union putting the world to rights, applying sun cream and drinking cider and black :beer:. Finally I feel like a student, and tomorrow is my last day of lectures!

B

miggy

Did anyone see this? What do you think of it?

lisawaters

Looks good. What happens if Bondpay goes bits up? Charging the builder and keeping the cash pending completion gives them two good earners.

Could work though.

x

MatyMoo

Well spotted Miggy

It will put the cost up as the 2.5% gets passed on the the homeowner. But rather that than be but in the position Mike was. And if everyone signed up to it the increased cost would become the norm.

I wonder who is behind it and what happens if you have to claim - how many hoops do you have to jump through to get to arbitration and who pays if additional surveys are needed to help decide the outcome.

I do think it will be a good idea - can you see a cowboy agreeing to it? So if your tradesman wouldn't agree to it you would know not to use them.

.... ramblings of Maty aged 50 51/52

tellmeitsfriday

When's you birthday Maty?

I think the scheme is a dam fine plan personally. If a tradesperson refused to participate it might make you question his/her dooberies

lisawaters

Not long until mine, either! Make with the fatted calf etc ...

niccatw

11th? 12th? Psycho's soon too...

It's a good idea in theory. The problem comes in getting off the ground. While not many tradesmen are signed up to it, you'll get less tradesmen signing up to it purely because they will either have to take the hit and risk a loss with the 2.5% or pass the cost on to the customer thus making their quote less competitive. And at the moment, precisely because it's not very well known, many customers will take the lower quote and the risk; especially if they've never had their fingers bitten.

Until it becomes well known and regulated (who oversees the overseers?!), it's likely to remain a good idea in theory. We need to be asking how we can help get such schemes off the ground and evolving into the mainstream so they become useful for both tradesmen and consumers alike.

Any-one any ideas on that font?

(Yes. I'm procrastinating on the assignment Maty. I don't want to do it. )

tellmeitsfriday

Wooo hoooo, buy a communal cake, it's mine on Saturday. What was going on in July that made all us April babies appear !!!!