Advertising a Dodgy Builder

rina1973

Hi, I recently had a very bad experience with a rogue builder who butchered my house so badly that no other builder wants to pick up the work where he had left; understandably, they all want to demolish what he touched and start from the beginning.  By law, am I able to advertise the builder’s workmanship to make other people aware?   I am not just talking writing a bad review on the Trustpilot or facebook but more in line off creating a bespoke website to shame him.  Am I allowed to do this and use his name and/or company name?  How will this affect if I take him to court? I am unable to find this information on google.  

Murphybear

This is something you need proper advice on.  Ask Citizens Advice.

They are properly trained and access to a lot of information that the general public dont.  A lot of their advisors are retired professionals, the branch I helped at had 3 retired solicitors.  

rina1973

@Murphybear I did ask Citizens Advice and they did not know the answer.  I was advised to find a solicitor, which I do not even know what solicitor I need for this and at the same time I cannot afford one at this stage (lost a lot of money to the rogue builder).

user1977

It's not really the job of the CAB to help you "name and shame" traders. And I wouldn't be too optimistic about your site getting much traction. Posting factually correct stuff shouldn't be an issue though.

pinkshoes

I would just go with a factually correct statement and pictures showing his work on social media. Get friends to share it, or post it on your local group. 

If it is FACTUAL then it's fine. 

Ectophile

pinkshoes said:

I would just go with a factually correct statement and pictures showing his work on social media. Get friends to share it, or post it on your local group. 

If it is FACTUAL then it's fine. 

But make sure you can prove it's true.

macman

If your website is potentially libellous, and he decides to take legal action, you could be looking at a very big bill indeed. Since the only motive for your course of action appears to be revenge, rather than compensation, you might want to think again.

D_P_Dance

Of course you can, Rogue Traders do it all the time.  However, read the post above.  

MattMattMattUK

Do it or do not, it is entirely up do you, however no legal professional is going to indemnify you against defamation and you run the risk that if you do defame someone they can sue you for very substantial amounts. Your best option is to take legal action against them if any is possible, then forget about it. Going on some form of vendetta would not be beneficial.

JJ_Egan

Builder decides to get nasty , with you or your property .See above replies dont make yourself liable .

rina1973

@user1977 @pinkshoes @Ectophile @macman @D_P_Dance @MattMattMattUK and @JJ_Egan Thank you all for sound advice.  I do have tons of factual evidence which I was looking to post and I do not want anyone to go through what I have been going through.  I am also aware that as me and my family/friends can write a bad review, so can his family/friends counteract that.  I am saddened to see that he may continue to do this to other people and may get away with it until court time.