0:00:02 > 0:00:05Up and down the country, cowboy builders and rogue tradesmen
0:00:05 > 0:00:07are making people's lives a misery
0:00:07 > 0:00:12with missed deadlines, shoddy workmanship and daylight robbery.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15You go into the kitchen and you see the devastation.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19You go to have a bath and you see the devastation. It's always there.
0:00:19 > 0:00:25Cowboy builders and rogue traders cost UK home-owners tens of millions of pounds every year,
0:00:25 > 0:00:29but it seems to me that they just keep getting away with it.
0:00:29 > 0:00:36He's got our £30,000 savings and we're still paying the bank back for something that never happened.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Our team of experts are on hand to right the wrongs
0:00:39 > 0:00:43and give hope to those who have been tricked by the con men.
0:00:43 > 0:00:49- Wow!- Oh, wow! It looks really spacious. It's tiny, but it looks really good.- Yeah.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53If you take on board all my advice, hints and tips and stay vigilant,
0:00:53 > 0:00:57together we can prevent you from falling into the cowboy trap.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Today, on Cowboy Trap, we're in Blackheath, London,
0:01:09 > 0:01:14where Kevin and Cosetta had high hopes for their dream kitchen extension,
0:01:14 > 0:01:18but were horribly tricked by a cowboy con man.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23Since the house has been left as it is now,
0:01:23 > 0:01:29we've not really enjoyed the house any more and we tend to just live in our little bedroom upstairs.
0:01:29 > 0:01:36Kevin and Cosetta had saved up to £30,000 over ten years to build their dream kitchen
0:01:36 > 0:01:40and then borrowed another 25 grand from the bank,
0:01:40 > 0:01:45but their builder wrecked their once lovely home and ran off with all their money.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48We never normally argue,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51but we had a few moments when...
0:01:51 > 0:01:55Because it's obvious, especially at the beginning
0:01:55 > 0:01:58when we had no water, no electricity,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00no heating, no nothing downstairs.
0:02:00 > 0:02:06We had to eat upstairs. We had a microwave in the bedroom and we washed up in the bath.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10Later, we'll meet Elaine Nduka who lives in Stratford, East London,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13with her children Harmony and Christopher.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18Her dreams for a kitchen extension and complete redecoration of her modest home
0:02:18 > 0:02:22also lured her into the cowboy trap, not once, but twice.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26We thought we could trust him because apart from the promises that he gave,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28he'd had a loss as well.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32He'd been working... It's like we were in the same boat together.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36We'd both lost out, so you had that in common.
0:02:36 > 0:02:42And then he was just so comforting and couldn't do enough for us.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48I've travelled thousands of miles up and down the country
0:02:48 > 0:02:52and I've been appalled at the level of bad building practice that's gone on
0:02:52 > 0:02:57and the total disrespect for those that have handed over their hard-earned cash.
0:02:57 > 0:03:03First, we're in Blackheath where house-proud Kevin and Cosetta had architects' plans
0:03:03 > 0:03:10and builders' quotes ready to build the kitchen extension they had fantasised about for ten years.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Then they received an unsolicited email.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15We'd almost picked a builder,
0:03:15 > 0:03:21but a circular arrived saying if we were ready to go, all the documents were in place,
0:03:21 > 0:03:27they were going to give us a bit of a discount because a customer of theirs had postponed.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32And they were going to take six weeks to do it
0:03:32 > 0:03:36and that was so attractive because everybody else had said 12 weeks.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40Cowboys often post circulars or send unsolicited email.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42Make sure you get recommendation,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46rather than rely on flyers to find your builder.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51Kevin is a paramedic. Dealing with distress is part of his everyday world.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56But he never imagined a builder could turn his happy home life upside down.
0:03:56 > 0:04:02Just before the job started, we were so excited. We were going to get the extension we'd always wanted.
0:04:02 > 0:04:09We'd seen all the programmes on the television, the big building programmes and the lovely finishes.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14We wanted to be part of that and have our own little kingdom downstairs.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19And everything was wonderful. They looked after us, they made sure we were happy.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22We trusted them implicitly.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25There was a good feeling between all of us
0:04:25 > 0:04:29and we couldn't wait to get it started and crack on with it.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33The couple signed the contract and paid £16,000 deposit
0:04:33 > 0:04:36and £4,000 more each week.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41But after two weeks, the work looked nothing like the architects' plans.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45The project manager, who's got all the plans, decides to go on holiday.
0:04:45 > 0:04:52We had no idea that he was going on holiday, so everybody else who was left had no idea of the plans.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57I kept giving them plans and I found them on the floor or in the rubbish bin.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02But the bogus builder saw the opportunity to take even more of the Lawlors' money
0:05:02 > 0:05:06when he heard about the £18,000 designer kitchen they were ordering.
0:05:06 > 0:05:12He came back with a price of £13,000 for the kitchen which we thought was great. We'd save a bit more money.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15And we gave him the money for the kitchen.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19He never ordered it. No order for a kitchen was placed.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21We phoned the company.
0:05:21 > 0:05:27So from then on, the trust and everything that had been built up just disappeared straight away.
0:05:27 > 0:05:34Beware of builders offering discounts. The bad guys will use it as a chance to make a fast buck.
0:05:34 > 0:05:39Sadly, it wasn't long before the smooth-tongued builder turned into a monster,
0:05:39 > 0:05:41demanding more and more cash.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44The fourth week when, um...
0:05:44 > 0:05:46God, just thinking about it!
0:05:46 > 0:05:51He kept phoning us up and he actually threatened you, didn't he?
0:05:51 > 0:05:56- He did, yeah.- He said, "I'm getting very, very angry, Kevin. Where's my £4,000?"
0:05:56 > 0:06:02Cosetta's son Danny couldn't bear to see his parents suffer these threats.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04They're really good people.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08I wouldn't change them as a result of what's happened
0:06:08 > 0:06:11and I don't think they'd want to change either.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15The problem is not them, even though they'll be more careful from now on.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18The problem is him and his company.
0:06:18 > 0:06:24They're out to scam people and they were out to scam my parents from day one. I believe that.
0:06:25 > 0:06:30'I've arrived here in Blackheath to see their wrecked home for myself
0:06:30 > 0:06:36'and to find out what we can do to help the Lawlors get back their hopes of a dream kitchen extension.'
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- You've had some cowboy builders? - Yes.- Show us around.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45- I can see it's still in a good state of disrepair. - It certainly is, Clive.
0:06:45 > 0:06:51OK, now, this is a wall that wasn't supposed to come down in the first place because...
0:06:51 > 0:06:58They were only supposed to cut the shape of the door and this bit at the end was supposed to come down.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- OK.- For the new kitchen.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04When I realised that they'd pulled the wall down, I looked at the plans
0:07:04 > 0:07:08and even I could see that the wall wasn't supposed to come down.
0:07:08 > 0:07:14I said to them, "Why have you destroyed a wall?" They said, "Because it was easier."
0:07:14 > 0:07:18- It was easier?- Yeah.- It was easier to take the wall down?
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- I don't think it was. - That's what they said.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26And this is what they've left behind, obviously, with the acros supporting the wall
0:07:26 > 0:07:28because it is a supporting wall.
0:07:28 > 0:07:36- Do you feel we'll take the acros down and run and hope that the house doesn't collapse?- It seems like it.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40That looks a mess. Where else in the property have you got problems?
0:07:40 > 0:07:44We'll show you the extension that they've built us
0:07:44 > 0:07:46and we'll take it from there
0:07:46 > 0:07:52because it's just blockwork from what we can see and very cheap blockwork we've later found out.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56Blockwork is blockwork, but it's the way it's been put up.
0:07:56 > 0:08:02If I'd put kids on this from kindergarten, I think they'd have done a better job. It is that bad.
0:08:02 > 0:08:08- Thank you. - Please don't thank me because this is an absolute disgrace.- Yeah.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13I'm grinning, but inside I'm angry that people would actually do this sort of thing.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17My guess is this actual extension would have to be brought down.
0:08:17 > 0:08:23'Kevin and Cosetta were hoping for an open-plan living space and designer kitchen.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27'They didn't know that the builders would take their £46,000,
0:08:27 > 0:08:31'rip out a supporting wall and then do a runner.'
0:08:31 > 0:08:36Just so that we can get you on the right track and put a smile back on your face,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39what can we do in the short space of time we've got?
0:08:39 > 0:08:45The thing that worries us the most is the fact that the supporting wall has come down.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49And we're very worried that the house could collapse on itself
0:08:49 > 0:08:54because we don't know how strong or how long those acros are supposed to stay in situ.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- They've been there a few months now already.- Yes, six months.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02We just feel that at least if we got the supporting wall built back up
0:09:02 > 0:09:05that the house at least would be safe.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09OK, this is my deal. I'm going to get our guys in, the good guys.
0:09:09 > 0:09:14We'll sort that wall out, take those acros down and give you peace of mind.
0:09:14 > 0:09:20- You've got a long way to go, but hopefully, we can point you in the right direction.- Fantastic.
0:09:20 > 0:09:26'To demolish this mess and lift the foundations will cost a small fortune
0:09:26 > 0:09:31'and that's on top of the £46,000 the Lawlors have already lost.'
0:09:32 > 0:09:38It's high time we got things sorted. The Lawlors have lived in this mess for way too long.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Kevin's job is to save lives.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45It's now our chance to save this property and I know just the guys for the job.
0:09:52 > 0:09:58'Coming up, what score out of ten will the independent expert give this cowboy con job?'
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Can I go negative?
0:10:02 > 0:10:07'Meanwhile, in Stratford, East London, Elaine Nduka and her two young children
0:10:07 > 0:10:13'also hoped for a new kitchen extension, along with a complete refurbishment throughout,
0:10:13 > 0:10:18'but their home was wrecked by not one, but two cowboy builders.'
0:10:18 > 0:10:22I had kind of like a showroom kind of thing in my head.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26I didn't know if that's how it would end up, but that was my vision.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30My daughter's room, which is quite small, would become a study
0:10:30 > 0:10:34and we'd have a loft conversion. I'd move into the loft.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Everybody would just move along and have a much bigger bedroom.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Downstairs, I would have had the kitchen-diner
0:10:42 > 0:10:46and this room would have been left as a quiet room.
0:10:46 > 0:10:53My mum, she kept getting leaflets put through her door, advertising builders,
0:10:53 > 0:10:57and I said to her, "No, I want somebody who is recommended.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02"I don't want to just take anybody because you hear of the horror stories."
0:11:02 > 0:11:07Then she told me about some builders who were doing some work next door to her.
0:11:07 > 0:11:14And they were doing work for... I think it was going to be part council, part housing association,
0:11:14 > 0:11:18so you would think that people doing that kind of work would be reputable.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23'Once everything was agreed, Elaine's builder couldn't wait to get started.
0:11:23 > 0:11:29'There was lots to do all over the house and work began quickly. A bit too quickly.'
0:11:29 > 0:11:35I had to pop out very quickly and I was told that they were getting the paperwork together
0:11:35 > 0:11:39cos there were no contracts or anything as yet.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44When I got back, one of the builders had started taking the plaster off my bedroom wall.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49He hadn't covered anything, so there was dust all over my bed, everywhere.
0:11:49 > 0:11:55He apologised and said the other guy was coming back with the plastic sheets to cover everything over.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00'The builders continued to start lots of jobs all around the house.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05'But there was still no contract and now they wanted thousands of pounds up front.'
0:12:05 > 0:12:08They originally wanted 15,
0:12:08 > 0:12:14but my mum, who was paying for the work, she said the most she could get at that point was 12.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16They accepted the 12.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19We got the money, stupidly, in cash.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24They said that they would give her a receipt. We didn't get anything.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29'Elaine was worried about the lack of paperwork and took advice,
0:12:29 > 0:12:34'but was told if she stopped the work, she could be at fault, so she confronted the governor instead.'
0:12:34 > 0:12:39He came in saying, "Oh, sorry," there'd been a loss in his family.
0:12:40 > 0:12:46He stunk of alcohol and just said he'll go and get the paperwork now.
0:12:46 > 0:12:52My brother said that he would go with him because at this point we were very suspicious.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57He said, "I have to get some supplies first. When I get back, we'll go together."
0:12:57 > 0:12:59That was the last we saw of him.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02'One worker took pity on Elaine.
0:13:02 > 0:13:08'He couldn't do the loft conversion, but would finish the extension and decorating for what money was left.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12'Elaine accepted because by now she was 12 grand worse off
0:13:12 > 0:13:16'and she and her two children were living in just one room.'
0:13:16 > 0:13:20We were basically eating, sleeping, doing everything in this one room.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25And he would come round and say, "Don't just sit in that room.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30"My wife's got dinner on. Come round for Sunday dinner. Bring the kids."
0:13:30 > 0:13:35'But Elaine's Good Samaritan turned out to be yet another con artist.'
0:13:35 > 0:13:41What he originally thought he could do it for, he couldn't, so the price would go up a bit.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45He took another 5,000. The deliveries came.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48And he disappeared.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51'Elaine and her family have been stitched up in Stratford.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55'I want to check out just what damage he's done for myself.'
0:13:55 > 0:14:02I always feel a bit nervous when I'm coming into properties because I know you've had bad building work.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05I know you've had some bodging builders.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Yeah. This was an internal door.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11It still is an internal door!
0:14:11 > 0:14:13It's just that it's...
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- It's used for exterior now.- Yeah.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20Basically, I have to plug it at the bottom with newspaper
0:14:20 > 0:14:26- to stop any creatures getting in and the rainwater, but the newspaper gets really soggy and horrible.- OK.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30But yeah, they had a mishap.
0:14:30 > 0:14:36It was fully glass from top to bottom. I've ended up with horrible plywood and duct tape.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40'Elaine's bathroom has also suffered at the hands of cowboy builders
0:14:40 > 0:14:43'who started plenty of jobs, but finished none.'
0:14:43 > 0:14:48They put down these floor tiles, but obviously, they didn't lay them properly
0:14:48 > 0:14:52because now they're breaking underneath your feet.
0:14:52 > 0:14:58- I can see you've got a tap missing on the actual shower area of the bath.- Yeah.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02The taps were fine before they came.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06- Right.- And then as they were leaving, the taps...- Were not fine.
0:15:06 > 0:15:12- Yeah.- OK.- And I did have hot water coming out of the sink tap.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14But now I have no water at all.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17That definitely needs taking a look at.
0:15:17 > 0:15:23'These jokers have left behind quite a mess inside the house, but it's even worse outside
0:15:23 > 0:15:27'where they were supposed to be building the new kitchen extension.'
0:15:27 > 0:15:31- It's an obstacle course and a builders' yard.- It is.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Where am I actually looking now?
0:15:33 > 0:15:38I'm taking it that these are from the builder?
0:15:38 > 0:15:44Yeah, they came one day and left the next and left their stuff behind.
0:15:44 > 0:15:50- Wow! OK.- Because obviously I've supplied them with enough money, they can buy fresh.- Of course they can!
0:15:50 > 0:15:56I'm glad you've got that attitude because that is exactly what they've done.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01'So what should our good guys do inside the house to help Elaine and her young family?'
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- I'd like a nice bathroom. - You'd like a nice bathroom?
0:16:05 > 0:16:11I'd like to be able to get out of the shower and not have to stand there for 10 or 20 minutes,
0:16:11 > 0:16:13- trying to turn off the tap.- OK.
0:16:13 > 0:16:18- Yeah.- I tell you what. This is my promise to you.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21We'll sort you that bathroom out, OK?
0:16:21 > 0:16:27- And that can be your little piece of...a haven.- My tiny bathroom will be my tiny haven.- Yeah, exactly.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32'Coming up, we'll discover just how bad Elaine's builder really was.'
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Have a look here how easy that goes!
0:16:36 > 0:16:41'Back in Blackheath, the Lawlors also fell victim to a cowboy con man.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45'He was paid £46,000 to build an open-plan kitchen extension,
0:16:45 > 0:16:52'but before he scarpered with their cash, his team knocked down a wall supporting the upstairs.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56'Kevin and Cosetta are reduced to living in their bedroom
0:16:56 > 0:17:01'because their downstairs was destroyed by a builder who took every penny they had.'
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Did they ask for any specific money up front?
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Yes, they did.
0:17:06 > 0:17:13The contract was given to us and they wanted £16,500 as a deposit,
0:17:13 > 0:17:17even before they started to buy materials.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23And then it was £4,000 a week until the job was finished.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28That amount of money up front is so unusual really when you think that...
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Looking back in hindsight, which is a great thing...
0:17:32 > 0:17:36- Hmm.- You look at 17 grand almost, say...
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- You're giving that to a total stranger.- Yes.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42'Follow my top tip - never pay money up front.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46'A bona fide builder will have accounts at builders' merchants
0:17:46 > 0:17:49'and he will not have to pay for at least 30 days.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53'Agree to pay in stages. Don't pay weekly.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57'I didn't like the look of the Lawlors' half-built extension,
0:17:57 > 0:18:02'so let's see what independent building surveyor Arnold Tarling makes of it.'
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Arnold making copious notes!
0:18:05 > 0:18:10Indeed, Clive. I've run out of sheets of paper almost. It's appalling.
0:18:10 > 0:18:16I was going to say, "Pick out the highlights," but if you don't mind, pick out the lowlights.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20The whole of the back addition is going to have to come down.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23What about the inside where those acros are?
0:18:23 > 0:18:28No need to have demolished that wall. That was a structural wall holding up a wall above.
0:18:28 > 0:18:34Fortunately, you've got a couple of acros in, otherwise it would have been coming down on people's heads.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- What would you give their work as a mark out of ten?- Can I go negative?
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- You can go negative by all means. - OK, negative four.
0:18:42 > 0:18:48I'll give them half a mark for turning up, but let's say negative three and a half. It's appalling.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54'Negative three and a half! Wow!
0:18:54 > 0:19:00'Kevin and Cosetta's builder caused real structural damage to their home which Pete is putting right
0:19:00 > 0:19:04'by erecting a strong, new, load-bearing wall.'
0:19:04 > 0:19:10- In terms of time, because time is of the essence, how long do you reckon it's going to take?- A good day.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- A very good day.- Yeah, OK. - Yeah, a good day.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18I reckon that would be, to me, a great day's work
0:19:18 > 0:19:22and it's going to give fantastic peace of mind to Cosetta and Kevin.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26- And we can take these acro props out the way.- Yeah, definitely.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31When they're gone, that signals to them things are on the move forward for the good.
0:19:31 > 0:19:38'Tragically, Kevin and Cosetta were conned out of their life savings for their dream kitchen extension.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43'They were gutted to discover where their hard-earned money really went.'
0:19:43 > 0:19:49- He bought himself a nice car the same day.- We did some investigations after all this went the wrong way.
0:19:49 > 0:19:55And we found out through the DVLA because we took his number plate and we did a trace on his car
0:19:55 > 0:20:01- and the day he acquired his car was the day Cosetta gave him the £13,000.- Wow!
0:20:01 > 0:20:08Since then, he's sold the car or transferred it into somebody else's name, so we can't go after that.
0:20:08 > 0:20:15'The Lawlors only found out their builder was a wrong 'un after he had driven off into the sunset.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18'Son Danny says they found out too late.'
0:20:18 > 0:20:22Suddenly, we're checking out the company online
0:20:22 > 0:20:25and checking out the individual's name itself
0:20:25 > 0:20:29to find out any history or background
0:20:29 > 0:20:31about him and his company.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35We found a few things, previous criminal convictions
0:20:35 > 0:20:40and just companies that had been started and then folded.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43'Here's a tip the Lawlors wished they'd followed.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55'Now it's time to give Kevin and Cosetta the opportunity to phone their builder.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00'What will they say in the unlikely event he answers the phone?'
0:21:00 > 0:21:04I'd like to say to him, "How can you sleep at night?
0:21:04 > 0:21:11"And how can you not at least give us the money back for the kitchen that is in fact theft?"
0:21:11 > 0:21:15- What about you, Kevin?- I'd just like to ask why has he done this to us.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20What right has he got to come into our lives, promise us something
0:21:20 > 0:21:24and just completely take all our savings and leave us with nothing?
0:21:24 > 0:21:30So there's the phone. If it goes to answer-phone, just leave a message for him to get back to you.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34- OK?- OK. Right, here we go. Let's try it.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39And if you can put it on speaker phone for all to hear, that would be great.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44'This person's phone is switched off. Please try later or send a text.'
0:21:44 > 0:21:48'Cowboys this bad never answer their phones.'
0:21:48 > 0:21:54They might come in their nice suits and have all the nice dialogue, but they lack a couple of things.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58And that's the stripy shirt and the old mask.
0:21:58 > 0:22:05Because they are no better than daylight robbers, if you like.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09I really am sorry you have had to go through this.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14'Coming up, I discover the Lawlors did hear from their builder after he conned them,
0:22:14 > 0:22:18'but his phone call left them fearing for their lives.'
0:22:18 > 0:22:24"If you think I'm giving you £45,000, I'd rather kill the pair of you first." He threatened our lives.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29'Back in Stratford, Elaine Nduka's first builder ran off with 12 grand
0:22:29 > 0:22:33'and the worker who took over the job made off with another 23,
0:22:33 > 0:22:37'making a grand total of £35,000
0:22:37 > 0:22:43'for a kitchen extension which was never completed and a refurbishment that was rubbish.
0:22:43 > 0:22:49'So what score does independent building inspector Arnold Tarling give the builders on this job?'
0:22:49 > 0:22:54- Hi, Arnold. Busy amongst the debris, I see.- Oh, yes, once again.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- How are you?- I'm fine, Clive. How are you?- Not too bad.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- You've taken a look around Elaine's property.- Yes.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05What have you found that's sent alarm bells ringing?
0:23:05 > 0:23:10One thing I'm going to pick up I've just found, which is just here with the wall.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14I'd come away from there. Feel that in the wind.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21Any greater wind and that is going to be over. That's for sure. So what's the plan?
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Well, I've got a solution to that.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29- Let me get out the way. I'll just take that brick off the top.- Get the brick off.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33- You have a look here how easy that goes.- Whoa!
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- So here goes... - I didn't realise that.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Whoo, baby!
0:23:40 > 0:23:43It was unforgivable leaving it like that.
0:23:43 > 0:23:49Could you imagine if anybody had been under...? That is where I was standing a minute ago.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52So what mark would you give them out of ten?
0:23:52 > 0:23:56- Two.- Two out of ten. That is seriously all they deserve.
0:23:56 > 0:24:03'But thankfully, our guys are on the job now, helping to right some wrongs.'
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Let's check out these boys.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09- All right, boys?- How are you doing? - Not too bad.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13I'm just really catching up on what you've been up to.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16It was in a bit of a mess when we got here.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21- It was a mess all right! - We've put new ply down to stable it.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26The tiles won't be moving now. And then re-decorate and add the finishing touches.
0:24:26 > 0:24:32- Fantastic. I bet she'll be well chuffed.- I hope so. - Well played, fellas.- Thank you.
0:24:35 > 0:24:41'And here's why the tiles the dodgy builder laid on Elaine's bathroom floor were all cracking up.'
0:24:41 > 0:24:46Just to prove these guys were clueless doing the job at Elaine's house,
0:24:46 > 0:24:52take the boarding they used under the tiles on the floor in the bathroom.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57They used 3-mil thick ply and look at the flexion you're getting there.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02If you lay tiles down on that and then let it set, grout it up and start to walk on it,
0:25:02 > 0:25:04you'll always get movement.
0:25:04 > 0:25:11That's going to pop up the grout, break up all the tile adhesive and the tiles are going to break too.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14I think that's what happened in Elaine's property.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18What should have gone down is what our boys are putting down now.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22This is 9-mil thick WPB - that's weather-proof boarding.
0:25:22 > 0:25:29Now, as much pressure as I can put on there, there's hardly any flexion at all in comparison to that.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33That is what they should have used. They didn't, but we are.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36If they were builders, I'm a clairvoyant.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40'Downstairs, we're fitting a new, safe and sound outside door,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43'so Elaine and her family will be secure at home.
0:25:43 > 0:25:51'While we're hard at it, I want to find out how Elaine got conned out of her cash not once, but twice.'
0:25:51 > 0:25:56He kind of drew me in because he knew that I was here with the two children.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01- He knew you were vulnerable, you'd lost money and you wanted your dream.- Yeah.
0:26:01 > 0:26:06- But he also knew that there was more money in the pot to be taken.- Yeah.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09So you do the contract which is something I always say do.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11There was a contract.
0:26:11 > 0:26:18A few weeks before, he asked me can he have the contract because he's doing another job after mine
0:26:18 > 0:26:20and he wants to copy it.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24Why did he want the contract back? For obvious reasons, really.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29- He knew he was going. - Yeah, and he didn't want to leave any trace of a contract.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33- Fortunately, you've got the contract still.- Yeah.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38So your copy of the contract you still have here in the property.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Until...I found the contract.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45I just left it out in my bedroom. I remember it being in my bedroom.
0:26:45 > 0:26:51And came home... Obviously, I didn't notice it was missing because I wasn't looking for it.
0:26:51 > 0:26:58- But once they disappeared...- He'd taken the contract.- He'd gone into my bedroom and seen the contract.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00'Follow my top tip.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04'Keep your signed contract and your cash firmly under lock and key.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06'If the builder scarpers,
0:27:06 > 0:27:10'the contract may be your only chance to take him to court.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13'So what would Elaine like to say to the builder
0:27:13 > 0:27:17'who acted like a Good Samaritan while helping himself to her money?'
0:27:17 > 0:27:23I would like to ask why, after he saw what had happened to me first-hand,
0:27:23 > 0:27:27how he was able to do this to me again,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29knowing what I'd been through,
0:27:29 > 0:27:33how he was able to just walk away and not even have a conscience.
0:27:33 > 0:27:39Basically, to try and remedy the situation. Can I have some money, please?
0:27:39 > 0:27:43So we've got the number. If you'd like to dial it...
0:27:43 > 0:27:49- OK.- Once you've dialled it, put it on speaker phone for us, so we can listen in.- OK.
0:27:49 > 0:27:54And hopefully, if he's got anything about him, he will do something about it.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- OK, dial away.- OK.
0:28:00 > 0:28:06'Your call has been forwarded. At the tone, please record your message.'
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Hi, this is Elaine in Stratford.
0:28:09 > 0:28:14I just wanted to have a chat with you regarding the work that you did to my property
0:28:14 > 0:28:17and remedying the situation.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21Give me a call back at your earliest convenience, thank you.
0:28:21 > 0:28:26Once they've done their bad deed, they go, as I call it, heading for the hills.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30- Yeah, I've already witnessed him running off once.- Oh, really?
0:28:30 > 0:28:33- Yeah. So, um...- How did that happen?
0:28:33 > 0:28:39I was dropping my son somewhere and I saw this hunched-over figure I recognised.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42I pulled the car over and I called out to him.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47And he just went..."Hi" and ran off.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Some man. Some kind of man, yeah(!)
0:28:50 > 0:28:52Who would do that?
0:28:52 > 0:29:00- They haven't even got the backbone to come over and have a chat with you...- Exactly.- Even to say sorry.
0:29:00 > 0:29:06'I never cease to be amazed by the cowardice these cowboy builders show when they're cornered.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09'We'll beat them if you follow my advice.
0:29:09 > 0:29:14'Coming up, I hope Elaine will be thrilled by the quality of work the good guys can do.'
0:29:14 > 0:29:20Christopher, would you mind doing the honours and opening the bathroom door?
0:29:20 > 0:29:22Take a look, Mum.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24- Wow!- Oh, wow!
0:29:25 > 0:29:32'Back in Blackheath, we are reinstating the supporting wall the Lawlors' cowboy builders ripped out
0:29:32 > 0:29:39'because, can you believe it, they thought it would be easier than following the architects' plans.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42'Protected by their contract and a record of bank transfers,
0:29:42 > 0:29:47'Kevin and Cosetta have tried everything to get their money back.'
0:29:47 > 0:29:50My mum's written thousands of letters to everyone.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54I was really disappointed in the lack of support,
0:29:54 > 0:29:56apart from your good selves.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00And I think they really kind of needed that pick-me-up.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04We had to go to court and try and get something back.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08We got the judgment from the Northampton County Court
0:30:08 > 0:30:11and we subsequently took it to the Royal High Court of Justice
0:30:11 > 0:30:15where it was given in our favour that he owes us £45,000.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20The day he found out, he phoned me up. I was at work that day in London.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22It was totally out of the blue.
0:30:22 > 0:30:28The phone call was from... No number was listed on the telephone, so I didn't know who it was.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30- He said, "This is..."- BLEEP
0:30:30 > 0:30:36"If you think I'm giving you £45,000, I'd rather kill the pair of you first." He threatened our lives.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39So we contacted the police.
0:30:39 > 0:30:44A sergeant from the local police station came round and took a statement
0:30:44 > 0:30:47and all the details from my phone.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50And they subsequently charged him with a...
0:30:50 > 0:30:56They gave him an £80 fine for a malicious phone call and they've put all our numbers on high alert
0:30:56 > 0:31:00in case anything happens again, that he phones back up and does this.
0:31:00 > 0:31:06'Even with the full weight of the law behind them, the Lawlors couldn't get their cash back.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10'I wish we could do more to help them, but they'll be relieved
0:31:10 > 0:31:13'that at least we've made their home safe again.'
0:31:13 > 0:31:19Our builders have just left after doing a cracking day's work. They really have got on well with it.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23Hopefully, by tomorrow, the whole thing will be completed.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Kevin will be around, but Cosetta won't be.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31I want to get her down and show her what we've done so far to put her mind at rest.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35Oh, it's a tight squeeze for a small one!
0:31:35 > 0:31:38- Wow!- It's amazing, isn't it,
0:31:38 > 0:31:42- what a good set of builders can do in a short space of time?- Yes.
0:31:42 > 0:31:47- Although it's blockwork, how does it make you feel? - It makes me feel great.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51It means a lot. It really does.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55It's like a... It's a metaphor for a new beginning.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59And I don't know how to thank you for everything you've done.
0:31:59 > 0:32:04We've just got that little bit left to do before it's fully complete for you.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08And you can feel safe. That peace of mind is so important, isn't it?
0:32:08 > 0:32:14Yes, absolutely. And those acro props will go finally, thank God!
0:32:14 > 0:32:20And the supporting wall will be back in place which is something that's been worrying us for months,
0:32:20 > 0:32:25that the whole thing was going to fall down, so thank you.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29It's an absolute pleasure because you guys are real gems.
0:32:29 > 0:32:36And for us to be able to just start you off right now really chuffs me, so I'm really, really happy.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Thank you so much for everything.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42'So after the terrible thing that's happened,
0:32:42 > 0:32:47'what advice would they give anyone hoping to build their dream?'
0:32:47 > 0:32:52To be very, very, very careful about who we get working in here
0:32:52 > 0:32:55and never to give any money up front.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Kevin, what have you learned from it?
0:32:58 > 0:33:03Not to trust anybody on face value, someone promising they'll give you the earth.
0:33:03 > 0:33:10It's like inviting a stranger into your house and just giving him money for no good reason whatsoever.
0:33:10 > 0:33:15'The following morning and it's the day Kevin and Cosetta have been waiting for.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20'Finally, those steel acro props holding up their ceiling are ready to come out.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24'Cosetta has had a sneak preview, but now it's Kevin's turn.'
0:33:24 > 0:33:28- Let's first of all take that very first acro down.- OK.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30- So are you ready?- I'm ready.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33I've got loads of faith in these guys.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37So let's take that first acro down. Here we go.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- Oh, it's away! - It's up, it's still standing!
0:33:41 > 0:33:44- Brilliant. - We're all right with that one.
0:33:44 > 0:33:50- OK, now it's time to take down our second acro.- OK. - It's all been packed out nicely.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53- Yeah.- All right, ready...?
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Hold on tight cos this is the final one.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00- If it's coming down, I'm first out the door.- I won't be far behind you!
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Here we go. OK, here we go.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06Oh...
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- Yes!- Yes!- Come on!
0:34:09 > 0:34:13- That's great.- Result! Absolute result!- Fantastic.
0:34:13 > 0:34:19- That all looks good to me.- Yeah, me too. It looks absolutely wonderful. - What are your feelings now?
0:34:19 > 0:34:24Well, to have the house back structurally strong again, it's just amazing.
0:34:24 > 0:34:29We can get on with things now. We can start afresh again.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32It just means so much to us to be able to come into the house
0:34:32 > 0:34:36and know that we haven't got to tread carefully around everything.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38It's absolutely brilliant.
0:34:38 > 0:34:43- You're a great support for Cosetta. Cosetta is a great support for you. - Yeah.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47Our builders have built a great support for Cosetta and yourself
0:34:47 > 0:34:52- and I hope we've been some sort of support to you too. - Thank you ever so much.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55It's been a pleasure. You are top people.
0:34:55 > 0:35:02'Kevin and Cosetta's builder drove off with their £46,000 life savings in his brand-new car.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05'But before he ran, he wrecked their home,
0:35:05 > 0:35:08'leaving them without electricity, water or heat,
0:35:08 > 0:35:11'and hacking out a supporting wall.
0:35:11 > 0:35:17'We've built a strong new wall to make sure the upstairs stays just that - upstairs.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22'We've removed the steel acro supports that the builders left holding up their home,
0:35:22 > 0:35:27'so they can sleep soundly at night, knowing their house is structurally safe.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31'I wish we could have done more, but this helps get their confidence back
0:35:31 > 0:35:35'and shows them there are good guys out there.'
0:35:35 > 0:35:39To you or I, that's just a block wall, but to Cosetta and Kevin,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42it's peace of mind and a chance for a fresh start.
0:35:42 > 0:35:49I'm pretty confident that the next time they employ a builder, they won't get conned again.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53'With one good deed done, let's get back to Stratford
0:35:53 > 0:35:58'and see if we can put a smile on the faces of Elaine and her kids.
0:35:58 > 0:36:03'Elaine was conned by not one cowboy, but two, who took a total of 35 grand,
0:36:03 > 0:36:07'but even worse, her mum was taken in by the second builder as well.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11'They thought he was a Good Samaritan and before he ran off,
0:36:11 > 0:36:16'they paid a five-grand deposit for work to start at Mum's house.'
0:36:16 > 0:36:19If it was just this house,
0:36:19 > 0:36:23I might have said, "He obviously over-estimated and panicked."
0:36:23 > 0:36:28But then he gave a quote for work at my mum's house
0:36:28 > 0:36:34and took a deposit and never turned up to do the work in her house, so then it has to be a con.
0:36:34 > 0:36:40'These cowboy con men took huge advantage of Elaine's trusting nature.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45'I'm sure she'll have some advice to pass on to other vulnerable mums in her position.'
0:36:45 > 0:36:51I've learnt that just because I'm honest and will do as I've said I will,
0:36:51 > 0:36:55it doesn't mean the rest of the world works like that.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59It's business and it doesn't matter if I've offended somebody.
0:36:59 > 0:37:05As long as I'm not being rude, it's business. If they're business-minded, they'll understand that.
0:37:05 > 0:37:10- Get my contract, get receipts for everything, no cash being handed over.- Well done.
0:37:10 > 0:37:16- Look for people that have had work done by them.- Yeah. - Just know where my money's going.
0:37:16 > 0:37:23Although they're very expensive lessons and hard ones, you've learnt from them and that's very important.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27'The bad builders started lots of jobs around Elaine's home.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32'They probably thought the more damage they caused, the more cash they could take.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35'We haven't had long, but we've achieved a real result.'
0:37:35 > 0:37:41The bathroom's been sorted. It's all looking good. I'm waiting for Elaine coming back with the children.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45Should be here any time now. I hope she likes it.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49There they are. Come on, you guys!
0:37:49 > 0:37:51'And I've got an extra surprise too.
0:37:51 > 0:37:57'I hope she'll be pleased when she discovers we've replaced her broken back door
0:37:57 > 0:38:00'to keep her and the kids safe and sound.'
0:38:00 > 0:38:07Before we show you the bathroom, which is the main area, what do you notice straight away in here?
0:38:07 > 0:38:09- New door.- The door!
0:38:09 > 0:38:11The door, the door!
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Now then, remember, the door before was pretty bad, wasn't it?
0:38:15 > 0:38:19Just tell us what worried you most about it.
0:38:19 > 0:38:24The security because the original door, they'd broken the glass on it
0:38:24 > 0:38:27and they'd boarded it up with cardboard.
0:38:27 > 0:38:33I was worried that it could be kicked in really easily or that the interior door could just be broken into.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37Exactly. It was an interior door. Now how do you feel?
0:38:37 > 0:38:44You've got a proper exterior door with toughened safety glass as well and you can see out into the garden.
0:38:44 > 0:38:49- Yes, so when the garden's done... - It'll look really good. - Yeah, that'll look good.
0:38:49 > 0:38:55- And I'll be able to sleep at night without worrying so much. - That makes such a big difference.
0:38:55 > 0:39:01'But what Elaine really wanted was for us to create a tiny haven for her in her tiny bathroom.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05'I hope she'll agree our boys have done a magnificent job.'
0:39:05 > 0:39:09Right, before I show you what the good guys have done,
0:39:09 > 0:39:13try and remind me about what it was like before we arrived.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18There were tiles that hadn't been put on to the walls. There were tiles missing.
0:39:18 > 0:39:23The tiles that they had put on to the wall hadn't been grouted or finished correctly.
0:39:23 > 0:39:29The floor tiles hadn't been finished or even been installed correctly,
0:39:29 > 0:39:32so they were cracking and coming apart under the feet.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36I had a tap that wasn't letting out any hot water in the sink.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40How long was it that you didn't have any hot water for?
0:39:40 > 0:39:42How many months?
0:39:42 > 0:39:44Oh... A year.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48A year without hot water? That is amazing.
0:39:48 > 0:39:54- Two years.- Two years nearly? - No, not exactly.- Not two years. Roughly a year without hot water.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57So what are you hoping for behind that door?
0:39:57 > 0:40:03- I'm hoping for some hot water to come out of that tap.- Brilliant. Basics, but it's important.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07I'm hoping for a bathroom that I'm happy to be in.
0:40:07 > 0:40:12- A fully functioning bathroom.- Where things aren't creaking under my feet.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14OK, well, I tell you what.
0:40:14 > 0:40:19Christopher, would you mind doing the honours and opening the bathroom door?
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Take a look, Mum.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25- Wow!- Oh, wow! It looks really spacious.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28It's tiny, but it looks really good.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32- I think it's made the most use of that particular space.- It has.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34Oh, look at the walls!
0:40:34 > 0:40:36Excuse me.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39- Let Mum in!- Can I see?
0:40:39 > 0:40:44- Look at that!- Oh, wow!- What do you think to that?- My new towel rail!
0:40:44 > 0:40:47New towel rail. We replaced the old radiator.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51The boys have painted up, they've tiled for you. What about the floor?
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- Look at the floor.- That's lovely.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57- Fantastic, isn't it? - That is so much better.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59- Really good.- So much better.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02Harmony, this is your little job.
0:41:02 > 0:41:07Go and turn on the hot tap and tell me if you've got any hot water.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Be careful, though.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12- Is any water coming out... - At all?- Yeah.
0:41:12 > 0:41:18- You've got water.- Do you want to feel it, see if it's hot? - Just have a little touch of it.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21- Is it hot?- It's warm.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25So you've got it now, that's the main thing.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29It's not too much to ask for hot water to be coming out of a hot tap?
0:41:29 > 0:41:34- No, you would think that it would be a human right to have hot water.- Yeah.
0:41:34 > 0:41:39'We've pulled up that thin plywood flooring covered with cracked tiles
0:41:39 > 0:41:42'and replaced it with thick weather-proof board
0:41:42 > 0:41:46'to provide a firm and permanent base for this gleaming new floor.
0:41:46 > 0:41:51'Now Elaine won't have to watch her step when she comes out of the shower.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55'We've tiled the rest of the walls and re-decorated the entire room.
0:41:55 > 0:42:00'We've replaced the old radiator with a new, heated towel rail and we've fixed that tap,
0:42:00 > 0:42:06'so now there's hot water on demand and that's something they haven't had in here for a while.
0:42:06 > 0:42:12'What a cracking job! That's the finish you can expect when you get the professionals in.
0:42:12 > 0:42:17'I'm so sorry that Elaine and Kevin and Cosetta all fell into the cowboy trap,
0:42:17 > 0:42:23'but I hope sharing their stories will make life tougher for all the other cowboys out there.'
0:42:23 > 0:42:27You know who you are and now we know who you are.
0:42:27 > 0:42:33And by exposing your tricks, we're preventing others from falling into your cowboy trap.
0:42:33 > 0:42:38If you've had a problem with builders and you would like to tell your story on Cowboy Trap,
0:42:38 > 0:42:43then please call us on the above number.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51Or you can send us an email.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55Help us round up the cowboys.
0:43:17 > 0:43:21Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2010
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