Cowboy Builder

asiablue67

We had a very close friend who was a builder, we Brought a house and told our friend (whom we socialised a lot with), everything we had planned to do in our new home,   we decided to "play it safe" and ask our "friend" to do the renovations on our home, we discussed what we wanted and asked him if we would need any planning permission or Building Regs to do our extension, he advised us that we would not need this and that he would take pictures as he does the building works so that if Building regs become involved, they will have the pictures confirming how the extension was built. In the meantime, we were being told by many people whom we had also discussed our plans with that we needed Building Regs, we asked Our Builder 5 times if we definatley didn't need paper work, he said "`LOOK, stop listening to what other people, you HAVE to trust the answers I give you"  Please note, we had never renovated before, and followed our builders every word! He had pretty much done everything in our home:

Windows
Extension
 Fitted Front Door
Fitted Garage door

We liaised via text regarding how much his services would cost and came to an agreement, our builder would also text when he needed us to drop the money round to him or his wife so that it could be banked. (Please note: he told us that it would be better to pay him in cash because if we paid the normal way he would have to add VAT which would mean that it would cost a lot more) we opted for cash. (I know ....stupid)

We decided to put a new bathroom in, we were going to use our builder, but decided to change our mind and opted to use a Bathroom Fitter qualified in fitting bathrooms instead, he was not happy and our friendship began to fall apart. Due to feeling uncomfortable we decided to put our home up for sale and move to a different area, the process was ticking along nicely until the solicitor asked if we could submit Building regs as we had disclosed that we had put up a new extension and had new windows fitted, we advised that our builder had told us that we did not need this documentation, we put indemnity insurance inplace but unfortunately the buyers were not happy with this and we lost the sale of the house.

We applied for Building Regs to come in to see what work needed to be rectified thinking that just a few changes needed to be done to have the work signed off, but after Building Regs and Structural Engineer attended, they both confirmed that we would need to pull the extension down and start again. We were mortified,  We contacted the builder to in writing and sent the reports from the Building Regs and Structural Engineer and requested that we have our money back to get the work done correctly by another builder, the builder stated that it was not his problem and accused us of lying. Long story short, we were forced to go to a solicitor, and the Builder has now stated that he did the work as a DIY project to help out his friends and did not take any money from us, he also went on to say that WE purchased all the materials which were already at our property when he came over to help us.

We are offering mediation, but seriously doubt that he will take us up on this, therefore, we will be going to court, We have the texts confirming that we agreed the cost for his services and also letters from neighbours that they observed this builder bringing building materials into my home numerous  times.  This will all be submitted in court. If mediation is not successful. All we want is to rectify the negligent work done and move on peacefully. In the meantime, this builder is walking past our home ( I think to intimidate me) his attitude is that we cannot touch him..........our solicitor says different.......we shall see

Doozergirl

Is there a question here?  

A very quick google would tell you if you need building regulations and you ignored "very many" people when deciding not to?   Someone got seduced by the potential "mates rates" that no genuine builder can afford to give.  

How big was this extension and how much did you pay *in cash* for it?  

fenwick458

asiablue67 said:

We had a very close friend who was a builder, we Brought a house and told our friend (whom we socialised a lot with), everything we had planned to do in our new home,   we decided to "play it safe" and ask our "friend" to do the renovations on our home, we discussed what we wanted and asked him if we would need any planning permission or Building Regs to do our extension, he advised us that we would not need this and that he would take pictures as he does the building works so that if Building regs become involved, they will have the pictures confirming how the extension was built. 

aaaaand STOP.
thats it, i've read enough. you are as much to blame as this cowboy builder, it's the homeowners responsibility to ensure the work carried out meets building regs.

Doozergirl

fenwick458 said:

asiablue67 said:

We had a very close friend who was a builder, we Brought a house and told our friend (whom we socialised a lot with), everything we had planned to do in our new home,   we decided to "play it safe" and ask our "friend" to do the renovations on our home, we discussed what we wanted and asked him if we would need any planning permission or Building Regs to do our extension, he advised us that we would not need this and that he would take pictures as he does the building works so that if Building regs become involved, they will have the pictures confirming how the extension was built. 

aaaaand STOP.
thats it, i've read enough. you are as much to blame as this cowboy builder, it's the homeowners responsibility to ensure the work carried out meets building regs.

I hate the term "cowboy builder" when their customer is entirely complicit.    

I wonder who these 'very many' people were who said that building regs were required.  Reputable builders, decent homeowners with genuine experience?    

Even if you allow the building regs thing, the fact that money changes hands in cash just shows that nothing about this transaction was ever intended to be straight on either side.  Both parties should be aware of each other...

Jeepers_Creepers

Ouch - a bit harsh, folks?

Yes, both parties are culpable, but there's surely an element of misplaced trust (naivety, 'too-good-to-be-true', perhaps...) on one side, and a complete con on the other?

Both culpable? Yes. But equally? Surely not.

Doozergirl

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Ouch - a bit harsh, folks?

Yes, both parties are culpable, but there's surely an element of misplaced trust (naivety, 'too-good-to-be-true', perhaps...) on one side, and a complete con on the other?

Both culpable? Yes. But equally? Surely not.

We all know what VAT is, Jeepers.  You lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas. 

asiablue67

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Ouch - a bit harsh, folks?

Yes, both parties are culpable, but there's surely an element of misplaced trust (naivety, 'too-good-to-be-true', perhaps...) on one side, and a complete con on the other?

Both culpable? Yes. But equally? Surely not.

yes indeed, we were stupid, I must admit, I am gobsmacked at the negative reaction on this thread because we chose to trust a very good friend who had been building for years and was adamant that we were wrong for believing others, and yes we lay down with the dogs and caught flees, we were naive and placed people on a pedestal who did not belong there, everyone has there point of view but this thread is cold and heartless.....boy oh boy......lets hope the courts are not as heartless and uncaring as you lot! Jeepers Creepers thank you for your honesty and fair respectful response......and the rest of you MY HOUSE HAS BEEN RENDERED UNSAFE DUE TO THIS COWBOY! hate the word or not, thats what he is!! being attracted to mates rates is bull we thought that he would ensure that everything was done correctly yes! GUYs throwing bricks at me is not helpful, however I stupidly thought I would get some advice!!!!!!! silly me.......see ya

Rosa_Damascena

Doozergirl said:

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Ouch - a bit harsh, folks?

Yes, both parties are culpable, but there's surely an element of misplaced trust (naivety, 'too-good-to-be-true', perhaps...) on one side, and a complete con on the other?

Both culpable? Yes. But equally? Surely not.

We all know what VAT is, Jeepers.  You lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas. 

True but this was not the original reason the OP went with the builder. 

OP- distance yourself from any social association with the builder, from now on business only and via your solicitor if needs be.

Doozergirl

Rosa_Damascena said:

Doozergirl said:

Jeepers_Creepers said:

Ouch - a bit harsh, folks?

Yes, both parties are culpable, but there's surely an element of misplaced trust (naivety, 'too-good-to-be-true', perhaps...) on one side, and a complete con on the other?

Both culpable? Yes. But equally? Surely not.

We all know what VAT is, Jeepers.  You lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas. 

True but this was not the original reason the OP went with the builder. 

OP- distance yourself from any social association with the builder, from now on business only and via your solicitor if needs be.

It's the compounding of it all, not the singular issue but VAT is definitely the one thing everyone knows about. 

An entire industry of good people have to carry the weight of bad builders and their clients.  Many good people lose work to them and all the good ones incur the cost of collecting additional
taxes for HMRC, unpaid.    If customers didn't seek to cut corners, people like him who are more than willing to cut any corner simply wouldn't survive in 'business'.    It isn't stupid or naive when you choose to pay tens of thousands of pounds to someone in chunky envelopes specifically to avoid VAT.   It's unlawful.  

I should apologise for my strength of feeling, but it's infuriating when people don't take any responsibility for how they get to a point and the TV is as happy as they are to use terms like cowboy builder as if the starting point of dealing with wedges of cash is normal behaviour in this day and age. No one deserves to have a terribly built home, but it rarely if ever, has to be that way.  I hope the OP gets their day in court and sees at least some of their money back.  

 
 

 

Risteard

asiablue67 said:

(Please note: he told us that it would be better to pay him in cash because if we paid the normal way he would have to add VAT which would mean that it would cost a lot more) we opted for cash. (I know ....stupid)

So you publicly admit to the commission of a crime (tax fraud) but want to blame everything on your alleged former friend?

babyblade41

I doubt you will get very far in court unless you like throwing good money after bad .

I'm not sure how much the claim would be for but quite sizeable from the works you state was done  and  a quick google would tell you about what is needed for adding extensions etc 

You agreed to mates rates plus assisting in the fraud of not paying VAT ...I think a court would take a very dim view .

I'd say cut your losses . either get the works done properly or sell with a price to reflect the problems which TBH would be very hard  .