How to avoid cowboy builders?

gb29

I'm looking to have an extension built, has anybody else used
beat the builder .com?
It looks pretty good and would probably help find the right builder re costs.
Just wondered if anybody else had used them?
Thanks!

jakemillspaek

I wouldn't trust these set ups.My wife worked as a telesales for one of these companies and all they wanted to do was earn the fee.
Try getting foolproof recommendations or drive around your area and see who is working where and gain your information this way.
Always google a builder and find if they have a murky past.
It maybe daunting but well worth the effort.

bubbles65

Don't use these companies -ever!
I'm in the building trade and have had dozens of them calling me to sign up with them. NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THEM could properly verify me or my work. "Just send in some references" was as close as it gets. Cue aunt Doris and the wifes' mate etc...... so so easy to manipulate. Steer clear. If you can't get personal recommendations have a look around the neighbourhood for recent or ongoing building works and ask the householders whether they are happy with their builder.

TaylorDarcy

I have used this service. I sent in my plans and received a complete breakdown of all of the build costs for labour and materials. When I found my builder I already knew how much everything was going to cost. It made me feel pretty good and confident to know that I wasn't getting ripped off. They don't recommend builders though which I think is a good thing. I only paid £99 for this service and it was very detailed. I would recommend them for peace of mind if nothing else.

ColinFishwick

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iMayne

I guess word of mouth would be the best place to start with. Your neighbour? Regarding those "online websites", I agree with how they vet their tradesmen. I struggle to understand how they do that. I have come across another one of these startups called ottitia . com, not sure what that means. Their business model seems weird but I'll keep an eye out.

jakemillspaek

Google,common sense and the 'art' of communication are your bestfriends and free.

Malmo

Personally, I would avoid commercial directories, including ones advertised in the media by celebrities. Try to get a reliable recommendation from friends and family. Alternatively, one of the most useful websites for searching the trades is the Trading Standards approved scheme called Buy With Confidence. Their website is:

https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

You can also refer to the Government endorsed Trustmark scheme:

http://www.trustmark.org.uk/

JEN22

I would always go by word of mouth.


Ignore internet sites

robatwork

TaylorDarcy wrote: »

I have used this service. I sent in my plans and received a complete breakdown of all of the build costs for labour and materials. When I found my builder I already knew how much everything was going to cost. It made me feel pretty good and confident to know that I wasn't getting ripped off. They don't recommend builders though which I think is a good thing. I only paid £99 for this service and it was very detailed. I would recommend them for peace of mind if nothing else.

You signed up just to say that, and have said nothing before or since?

Yeah, right.

SailorSam

When i was on the Double Glazing, one of the salesman developed an opening pitch when he went into someones house to show he could be trusted.
He'd stand up in the lounge and open his jacket then give a little twirl and ask ..... What can you see ? The people would look at him odd shaking their heads. So he'd take them over to look out of the window and again ask ...... What do you see ? Nobody ever guessed. So he'd point out of the window again and say.... There isn't a horse out there. Then he'd give another twirl holding his jacket open and say .... See No guns. What does that tell you ?........ I'm not a cowboy.
You've got to have some confidence to start a sales spiel like that.