Checkatrade member, ND Installations, rescues renovation project after rogue traders leave homeowner high and dry

Checkatrade member, ND Installations, was called upon to complete the renovation of a lean-to, which was left incomplete and unsatisfactory by rogue traders.

Mandy explains: “The lean-to area at the back of our home had become almost unusable and was an unsightly part of our kitchen diner space. It was cold, damp, and unusable – it became a bit of a dumping ground.

We wanted to renovate this part of the house to make it more functional, which involved replacing the plastic roof with a solid alternative, renewing the walls, damp proofing, insulation, and new windows and doors.”

Mandy said: “Sadly, our renovation didn’t go as we had planned. 

Despite doing internet searches, looking at website claims, and customer feedback, we became the victims of rogue traders. 

From our shortlist of builders, we received several quotes for the job. We chose our builder, signed a contract, and paid a sizeable deposit to secure a start date and cover uPVC materials. 

After this, we had to chase the company on getting started; they started work six weeks later. 

However, work stopped partway through the project after we had made further stage payments. We were left with an unfinished, leaking mess, and the builders disappeared with our money.”

“Simon and I were at our wits’ end. We’d been left living in a building site for months and were repeatedly lied to by the rogue traders.

Then I made contact with Checkatrade member, Neil, which was a turning point for us. I explained what had happened, and Neil came round to take a look.”

Who are ND Installations?

Checkatrade member, ND Installations SW Ltd, is a family-run company in Plymouth with over 25 years of experience in the building trade.

Neil said: “When we arrived at Mandy and Simon’s house, we could see that the previous company had constructed the roof poorly before abandoning the job.

Unfortunately, this is a far too familiar story at the moment. There are lots of good tradespeople in this city – quite a lot of them are our good friends – but sadly, there are also a lot of bad ones, so be wary when asking for quotations.”

Neil and his team set to work, rectifying the rogue trader’s work and completing the renovation to the high standards they’re known for. 

Mandy said: “Naturally, we were nervous about getting someone in to correct and complete the job after what happened to us, but Neil has restored our faith. So much so that ND Installations has since returned to help us with other projects at our property.”

The pictures speak for themselves. ND Installations ensured Mandy and Simon received the end result they had initially hoped for – a fully functional, well-insulated, solidly constructed, damp-proofed extension. 

When it comes to our homes, trust and quality matter. An estimated 6.7 million UK adults are impacted by rogue trades every year. That’s why, since 1998, we’ve been committed to championing trade excellence.

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• We also want to see proof that they give their customers consistently exceptional experiences

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