Dodgy Builder - Shaun Lomax of Warrington via Ratedpeople.com - DO NOT USE

rikwill

I just wanted to warn anybody thinking of using Shaun Lomax a builder of Warrington (sometimes known as Indie Construction) that he is not only a bad builder but also a dangerous one.

I found Shaun well rated on Ratedpeople.com - he entered into a written contract to remove a structural wall in our house. We engaged a structural engineer and applied for Building Regs approval. Midway through the works, I noticed a big crack appearing above the RSJ (which Building Control had inspected and approved boxed-in!) The joiner and plasterer alerted me to the fact that the builder had just put rubble above the RSJ - there was no packing at all and consequently the wall above was falling onto the RSJ! If it had not been for them telling me my son's room above could have fallen down.

The builder had totally ignored the structural engineer's drawings and boxed the work in to deceive the inspector. It transpired that he had not welded the RSJ's together and had not packed them. He left the house unsupported and we now have long term structural damage. Another structural engineer assessed the work as "dangerous" and "incompetent" and the Council is intending to prosecute Shaun Lomax for dangerous building practices.

Trafford Council Building Control says it isn't at fault because they don't get many dodgy builders in affluent areas and therefore there level of checking is less (which I find astounding!) Despite not doing the job properly, the Council is hiding behind a 2012 case which says it cannot be held liable for building defects. Ratedpeople have washed their hands of the problem claiming it cannot be liable for dodgy builders.

So thanks to Shaun Lomax I have had to get the work done twice and I am £9000 out of pocket. He also didn't fit safety glass to a new bay window, so all of that will have to come out. In the end, a very decent builder came into help us out, but it has been so stressful and we wish we had never started.

This incompetent idiot gives other builders a bad name. It turns out he has no assets and no insurance. So if you ever come across Shaun Lomax of Warrington (building most recently in Altrincham and Hale, Greater Manchester) walk away as fast as you can!

I am happy to provide photographs and surveyors report to support this warning.

:mad:

themull1

Could you put a negative review on Rated People?

C_Mababejive

I must be psychic. The other day whilst driving at work there was an ad on the radio re rated people. About how you can be sure you get good "tradesmen" on rated people as they are rated by people just like you..blah blah blah...

Now i do find the current useage of the word"tradesmen" somewhat disparaging. It conjures up images of shifty operators in bib and brace,who if not closely checked and monitored, will no doubt rip you off..unlike those "professional" types.

Aside from that, i wondered if rated people were confident enough to back up their exploitation of tut tradesmen by providing some kind of dispute resolution/guarantee service?

Clearly not. They are just parasites living off the backs of mostly hard working men and women.

When something goes wrong ,as you illustrate,they disown the process.

Let me tell you that it is my view that sites such as rated people are most definitely not the best place to find good people to do work on your property.

They are more likely to be dodgy. High quality bona fide people dont need to advertise on such sites. They already have plenty of work, contacts and recommendations.

People go on such sites often to get a cheap job.

I see no liability for the council.

Sue..but probably a waste of time.

Nile

Hi, we move threads if we think they’ll get more help elsewhere (please read the forum rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

I’ve moved your thread from the ‘In my home’ board to the ‘Praise, Vent & Warnings’ board, where it is better suited.

Regards

Nile

hollydays

Have you considered taking him to the small claims court?
Indie construction limited.
Only set up in July last year

rikwill

Hi thanks for your comments and suggestions - in an effort to help others I now have a list of what to do before starting any building work. I am very much wiser after the event!

1. Get a structural engineers report before you get any prices - this will avoid having to get quotes twice
2. Avoid Ratedpeople because they take no responsibility for the "good" builders registered with their site who turn out to be useless. I endorse what is said above about the site (I have submitted a negative rating, but the builder removed himself from the site the next day).
3. Use a builder somebody you know has used, even if it costs more - cheap job normally = sloppy job.
4. Don't take telephone references - go to visit the job and look at the work
5. Check the builder is insured - this does NOT mean just public liability insurance but also insurance for defective work. Check the certificate is valid and in date
6. Apply for Building Regs but do NOT rely on the Building Inspector to check the work is done properly, as there is no liability attached - preferably use an approved inspector as they may have liability for negligence
7. Look at the builder's vehicle - does it have signage, is it decent? Good builders will be successful and will want to shout about the quality of their work.

I hope this helps others looking to undertake building work. I say there is a good case for all builders to legally hold compulsory insurance to cover negligence.

rikwill

PS I am going to sue him in the County Court as well - probably a waste of time but it makes me feel better!

hollydays

You would be best to start your own thread rather than bumping old threads

bod1467

???

Was there a spate of thread bumps last night, where such posts have subsequently been removed? This is the 2nd post of yours Holly that doesn't appear to make sense.

Fosterdog

hollydays wrote: »

You would be best to start your own thread rather than bumping old threads

This is their own thread, just an update to the original is better suited on the original thread than starting a new one.

hollydays

bod1467 wrote: »

???

Was there a spate of thread bumps last night, where such posts have subsequently been removed? This is the 2nd post of yours Holly that doesn't appear to make sense.

Another poster added to this thread , he posted on 5 different threads.
Issue with a company called h2b group limited.