Dave Kendall is appalled at the number of people who are ripped off by cowboy builders or
cowboy tradesmen. Obviously the media have put this in the spotlight with Dominic and Mel.
We all know there are people out to scam other unsuspecting people, but when it comes to
getting extensions e.t.c. on your home there are some simple rules to follow to stop
this happening.
If these two people are knocking on your door you have taken no notice of me at all
and unfortunately you have a major headache.
How to hire a builder? - How To Get it Right
Only use tradesmen who can show you many examples of the work they have carried out. Don't be frightened to go and look at and have a word with the past customers.
Make sure the tradesmen has all the relevant insurances needed when carrying out work on your home. Public liabilities is a must, what would happen if a plumber blows
your house up. That would be bad enough but at least if he is insured the house would be rebuilt. Many tradesmen operate without these insurances, most of them are not really
self employed. A lot of them are working on the side for cash. There are no guarantees with those people, don't be frightened to ask for a copy of the insurance policy
before work is started.
When getting an extension never just give a builder a lump sum payment, most reputable builders will get the materials delivered to site. A cheque can be made out directly
to the Builders merchants, those materials then belong to you.
When you are getting an extension to your house stage payments are the way to pay any builder. There are four key stages where a builder should be paid:
1. Brickwork to damp course. 2. Brickwork to first floor or roof height if a single storey. 3. Roof on and tiled etc.
4. All interior and exterior work completed to building inspectors approval.
A building inspector makes various inspections on site from foundations until the finished extension when it will be passed by building control. Make sure you meet
the inspector and ask him to confirm the building work has passed every stage and for them to inform yourselves if they have noticed any shoddy workmanship.
When paying for the various stages why not transfer the money online. This way it should be put straight into the builders business account. Any problems over money
e.t.c. can be easily proved as you have got your bank statement showing every payment.
Dave Kendall prefers bank transfers because it is a fast way of being paid. Make sure you and the builder both know the rules then your project should be stress free.
We can supply, or supply and fit replacement double or triple glazed units
Replacement double glazed units
If your glass units have failed and appear misty or foggy, give us a call on 0788 223 4302
Replacement double glazed windows
German designed PVCu windows
We use German designed, English manufactured double glazed windows fitted with EnergiMax® A-Rated glass units
Any colour composite doors
We can source any colour composite door
Various timber effects or any colour composite doors, we can provide supply only or fully fitted
36mm triple glazing
Our Standard window frames now accomodate 36mm triple glazing
Our standard windows now allow the fitting of 36mm triple glazing, 28mm triple glazing is no more efficient than A-Rated double glazing
