3 November 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Homeowners risk putting homes at mercy of cowboy builders
Published Sussex Business Times
SUMMARY
Home owners in the South East are putting their homes at risk from botched jobs and spiralling building costs.
PRESS RELEASE
Half of UK Homeowners Risk Putting Homes at Mercy of Cowboy Builders
Posted by Harriet Weston on 03/11/2011
Homeowners in the South East are putting their homes at risk from botched jobs and spiralling buildings costs, according to new research from Checkatrade.com, the UK’s most trusted website for monitoring the reputation of tradespeople.
The research, which asked 2,000 homeowners about their experiences with UK traders, highlighted a worrying trend. While more than 1 in 3 home improvement jobs in the UK go over budget, almost half of homeowners across the UK do not take the trouble to get a written quote.
However, the savviest UK region was the South East, where over two-thirds of property owners insist on receiving written quotes before employing a contractor. This contrasts with the North East and Scotland where residents are the least rigorous, with less than half (49%) asking for a written quotation before work commences.
On the other hand, Savvy Southerners, were the most likely to conduct their own internet research in addition to seeking out recommendations from friends and family before employing a tradesperson. One in 6 people in London and 1 in 7 people in the South East consult a tradesperson review site or other forum according to the findings, the highest figure in the UK. This contrasts with other areas of the country, such as East Anglia, where 3% of people do any internet research whatsoever.
But southerners may be missing a trick when it comes to obtaining the best price. Across the whole of the south only a third are getting the recommended three quotes for a job. Despite being known as the most time-poor time people in the UK, Londoners are the least likely to settle for a single quote from a trader – just 1 in 7 normally get just one quote.
The research also reveals that, as in the rest of the UK, over a third of UK homeowners in the South have experienced ‘botched jobs’ - poor workmanship which leaves people feeling cheated. With 4 in 10 homeowners doing more home improvements this year than last, the stakes are high for cash-strapped consumers.
Commenting on the findings, Kevin Byrne, founder of Checkatrade.com, said: “Homeowners in the South are more clued up about the risk of cowboy builders but, as the most affluent area of the country with property prices to match, they are also perhaps most likely to be targeted.
“Homeowners must take precautions to protect their homes and their wallets from cowboy builders. It’s no coincidence that the number of jobs that go over budget is roughly the same as the number of people who don’t get a written quote. But the problem doesn’t just lie with cowboy builders – problems arise all too easily even with genuine traders. By following a few simple steps Britons can ensure they are not out of pocket.”
See below for Checkatrade’s Top Tips to avoid rogue traders
Top Tips to avoid rogue traders – Checkatrade.com
• Watch out for contractors who cold call or doorstep you – ask yourself why they need to.
• Make sure you have adequate contact details for your trader in case things go wrong. In addition to a mobile number you should be looking for a landline number, office address and trade association membership details.
• Reputation is everything. Try to use builders who have been recommended to you by people you trust. Take up references from other satisfied customers who have had similar work done and have a look online.
• Have a look at www.checkatrade.com for details of tradespeople who have been vetted to a high standard, and had their insurance, qualifications and professional memberships verified, with scores out of ten from customers.
• Take the time to properly brief tradesmen and put it in writing to avoid any confusion. Be as detailed as possible.
• Obtain quotes from at least three contractors and insist on a written quotation or estimate for the work. Keep them all on file in case of any disagreement.
• To avoid costs spiralling, try and get the job done on a fixed-price basis in case the work takes longer than expected.
• Delayed start dates or long drawn out works can have a major knock on effect on any other buildings works so agree a start date and estimated finish date. However, trades can be delayed by factors outside of their control.
• Avoid anyone who specifically asks for cash – it is illegal to ask for cash payments if the trader does not put it through the books and declare it as taxable income. Cash jobs may result in a receipt not being given, without a receipt you will have no come back if things go wrong.
• Be careful about requests for upfront payments – it may imply they have cashflow problems. In our experience traders who ask for upfront payments often do so because they cannot get credit at their local builders’ merchants, which may indicate they are not financially healthy.
• Once you agree terms and before work starts draw up a simple contract, including the work to be done, the price and the timeframe. Any reputable builder will be happy to sign it, you should sign it yourself and have it witnessed and signed by an independent third party.
• Once work has begun, regularly check that works are on schedule and keep talking your contractor to make sure things are on track
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Checkatrade helps combat the UK's rogue trader problem by continuously vetting and monitoring local traders such as builders, plumbers and electricians. The idea was born in 1998 after a tornado hit the small West Sussex town of Selsey. Traders poured in from as far away as Liverpool and Manchester. Unfortunately, some ripped off the inhabitants of the town. Local businessman, Kevin Byrne, realised there was nowhere to check out the traders’ credentials and the company that became Checkatrade was formed.
Since then, Checkatrade has grown to include over 6,300 genuine trade members, growing by an average 120 new members every month, and, via the Royal Mail, distributes 5.9 million directories a year into communities throughout Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Dorset and Berkshire, while the website includes traders from across the UK.
CONTACT INFORMATION
PR / Marketing, Checkatrade
5 - 6 Sherrington Mews, Ellis Square, Selsey, West Sussex, PO20 0FJ
Tel: 01243 601234
Fax: 01243 601246
info@checkatrade.com
