One of the biggest worries for anybody preparing to have some improvement work done around their home is finding a company and installers they can trust. Most people have heard of the “Cowboy Builders” and “Rogue Traders” TV shows, which have highlighted the nightmare scenarios some people have had to deal with. So to make sure that you do not fall prey to one of these unscrupulous tradesmen, we have produced a list of warning signs to look out for.
1. Quote too low.
The old adage “You get what you pay for” can very much apply to a cowboy builder. If a quote sounds too good to be true then it probably is. It could be something as simple as the tradesman not being experienced enough to give accurate figures. In more extreme cases this can be a sign of a cowboy who intends to sting you with extra charges or not bother doing much if any at all of the work.
2. Only offers verbal quotes.
If your tradesman will not put a quote in writing then there could well be a chance they have no intention of sticking with the agreed amount.
3. Has no or limited business details.
If they will not tell you anything about their business or provide decent contact details, they may be intentionally making it difficult to get in touch with them. Also, be cautious and check the facts. Dodgy tradesmen will often claim to be working for a particular company or belong to a particular trade association. It is worth contacting the company or association using a contact method you have found for yourself, do not take their word for it.
4. Cannot provide references with contact details.
If there are no references offered at all, maybe that’s because there are no real customers who would recommend this trader. If you are provided with references then make sure they allow you to contact the previous customer, anybody can type up a pile of fake references.
5. Desperate to get started straight away.
Cowboys often cram in as many jobs in an area as possible before disappearing, leaving terrible or unfinished work behind.
6. Needs payments upfront for materials.
A reputable tradesman should be able to afford the building materials themselves and bill for them after the work is completed. On larger work, it is common for payments to be made in stages, if agreed in the contract. The payments should only cover the amount of work actually completed and only the amounts agreed in the contract in line with the agreed timescale. If they start asking for extra parts of the money at any point then your alarm bells should start ringing.
7. Cash deals with no VAT.
If somebody is happy to risk breaking the law so you are both getting a great deal, then it should not be too far a stretch to imagine them ripping you off too.
What about Halstead Glass? See how we compare to the warning signs above.
There has certainly been a negative stereotype associated with double glazing firms and their staff, I mean you only need to watch the very funny “White Gold” TV series to see this at its worst. Now although Halstead Glass is also based in Essex, that is where the similarity with Vincent Swan and the rest of the Cachet Windows team ends.
1. Our family-owned and run company has based its success on following a simple ethos ‘We always offer the very best quality at realistic prices and guarantee a fitting and unrivalled aftercare service.’
2. After visiting your home and measuring up and discussing your requirements, we will leave you with a verbal quotation while we prepare a full written quote with computer-aided drawings so you can see what we are quoting for.
3. We absolutely do not want to hide away, in fact, we would love for you to visit our showroom or contact us on our landline or contact us via our website.
4. The majority of our business comes from happy customers making recommendations to friends, family and neighbours so there is no problem at all finding great references that can be confirmed to be real.
5. We have a good diary of work to complete and although we will try and fit you in at the most convenient time for yourselves, we are in no rush to cram in as much work before doing a moonlight flit.
6. We are confident in our work and do not require payment upfront. In fact, we offer several finance deals including Interest-Free Credit and Buy Now Pay Later.
7. We do things by the book and all of our work is fully guaranteed and requires full documentation including correct receipts.