0:00:08 > 0:00:12I'm back on the road again, looking for evidence of dodgy building work.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Now, cowboy builders may be able to hide the clues from you,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19but not even the most cunning of cowboys will hide them
0:00:19 > 0:00:21from these detective eyes.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24I was devastated, completely devastated.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28We just wanted to have everything done for when we got married.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Now, you know I've witnessed some real dodgy building work over the years,
0:00:31 > 0:00:34but I'm still shocked at how these cowboys manage to con people
0:00:34 > 0:00:37out of their hard-earned cash.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39How do people let them get away with it?
0:00:39 > 0:00:41It's been very hard for me.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Panic attacks, constantly not sleeping.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47I'm hoping to offer help to a young couple
0:00:47 > 0:00:50who've been cheated by a cowboy con man.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52He, one time, told us that he had swine flu.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54That was when he stopped turning up.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Stick with me, and I'll offer you some hints, tips and advice
0:00:57 > 0:01:02that may help prevent you from falling into the cowboy trap.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Today, I'm on Merseyside, and did you know that 40%, at one time,
0:01:16 > 0:01:20of the world's trade passed through these docks.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23And, of course, it's home to the Scouse.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Liverpool today is a buzzing and beautiful city,
0:01:27 > 0:01:31with some amazing architecture and a vibrant art scene.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35But, of course, one of the biggest pulls for the millions of visitors
0:01:35 > 0:01:40is the city's claim to fame as the home of The Beatles.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Now, also when it comes to music,
0:01:42 > 0:01:44it was considered the capital of pop of the world.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47And, after all, if it wasn't for Beatle-mania,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50I wouldn't have any Cowboy Trap theme tunes,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53like We Can Work It Out, I Want To Hold Your Hand,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57and Help! I Need Somebody, Help! Do you get it?
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Ah, forget it.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Two people who know exactly what I mean are the Hendricksons,
0:02:04 > 0:02:0726-year-old Dawn and her 28-year-old husband, Andrew,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10who works as a personal assistant.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15Dawn and Andrew met ten years ago in the city's train station.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17It was an instant coupling, you could say.
0:02:17 > 0:02:18We met through a mutual friend.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21I was waiting for him at Liverpool train station,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23and he was quite late,
0:02:23 > 0:02:25but he was with Dawn,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28and I pretty much fell in love with her straight away,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31even though I was in a foul mood.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32Yeah, he was a bit annoyed.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35This was love's young dream.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37And although they were still teenagers,
0:02:37 > 0:02:40they knew they couldn't live without each other.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43It was about five months after we met that I proposed,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47but it took a further nine years to get married.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Engaged, yet still living with their parents,
0:02:50 > 0:02:54it took Dawn and Andrew five years to finally save up
0:02:54 > 0:02:58for the property they felt they could Twist And Shout about.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03It was a Victorian town house that was just a few miles away from both their parents.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06We just had a really nice vibe about this one, didn't we?
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Yeah, we just had a feeling this was the one.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14Their two bedroom terrace in Liverpool was the perfect home.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17In fact, they were so excited by it,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19they didn't even notice that their little love nest
0:03:19 > 0:03:22needed a bit of TLC.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24It took a little while to realise that there was
0:03:24 > 0:03:29a couple of little things wrong with the house that you'd like changed or fixed.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31After five years of living here,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35we decided that maybe it did need a little bit of work.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38In January 2010, they hatched a plan
0:03:38 > 0:03:41to get renovation work started on their new home.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Andrew and Dawn wanted work to begin
0:03:44 > 0:03:47before they started on their Long And Winding Road together.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52- We decided to make two big decisions at the same time.- Yeah.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55We wanted to get the house ready so we could just get married,
0:03:55 > 0:03:59come back from honeymoon, and start thinking about starting a family.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01And the house would be all lovely
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- and it'd be suitable for starting a family.- Yeah.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07I suppose you could say we grew up.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10With their dream of having children firmly in place,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14the couple set about planning the perfect family home.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18We were looking to change the layout of the house,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22get a new kitchen installed, new front door, flooring throughout.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27We were looking for a new back door into the yard, a new bathroom.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30We pretty much wanted to do a complete renovation of the house.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Their big day was only seven months away,
0:04:32 > 0:04:36and as they were saving every penny for the wedding,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Andrew asked his parents to help finance the work.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44When they agreed, the excited couple wasted no time in getting quotes,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46and one builder caught their attention.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49He said he was a family man,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52and he understood how hard it was to get money together,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55and wanting to start a new family,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58and start afresh with getting married.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02He gave us a quote that seemed fairly competitive.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05He was going to supply everything we needed to do the house.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08He was going to supply the flooring, the kitchen itself,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11the front door, the back door,
0:05:11 > 0:05:15the bathroom, the shower unit.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17He said he could provide everything.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21Everything was falling into place,
0:05:21 > 0:05:23so Andrew and Dawn booked the builder
0:05:23 > 0:05:25to start their home renovations in March 2010.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30He was to brick up the kitchen wall, install new units,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34fit a new bathroom, lay floors throughout the downstairs,
0:05:34 > 0:05:38and sort out the damp problem seeping inside from this exterior wall.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43He quoted around £5,000 for the materials, fixtures and fittings.
0:05:43 > 0:05:49And with labour costs on top, gave a final price of £9,000.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54But one thing was missing - a contract.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57And work hadn't even begun when alarm bells started to ring.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02He asked for about five and a half thousand pound up front.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04That was for the materials.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06And he asked for it in cash.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10By paying for all the materials up front,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Andrew and Dawn made a mistake.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Take my advice.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Only pay a very small deposit, if required.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31Then you know what you're paying for, and when.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Never in cash.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Dawn and Andrew were persuaded to part with
0:06:41 > 0:06:44five and a half thousand pounds.
0:06:44 > 0:06:45Andrew paid the builder,
0:06:45 > 0:06:48and in March 2010, the Magical Mystery Tour began.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51He fitted the bathroom and installed a new back door.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Work had progressed quickly,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58but four weeks into what was meant to be a two and a half week job,
0:06:58 > 0:07:02the couple became concerned about how much they were paying.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05There was things that he'd add on, as well,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07that we weren't initially quoted for.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10And then there was further costs for labour
0:07:10 > 0:07:14that we paid as and when they came up.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16All in all, I think it's cost us about £9,000.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19And, as costs increased,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21so did the time between their builder's visits.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26Their elusive cowboy came up with excuse...
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- He said he had gastroenteritis. - ..after excuse...
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Strained stomach muscles.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33..after excuse...
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- He'd ordered the wrong cupboards. - ..after excuse.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38He, one time, told us that he had swine flu.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44By mid-May, the job was bodged, and still unfinished.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49But Dawn and Andrew's entire £9,000 had disappeared
0:07:49 > 0:07:52into the pockets of their cash-crazy cowboy.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55It was then his turn to do the vanishing act.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59This was no joke. The Hendricksons were left with a bathroom
0:07:59 > 0:08:03that leaked into the kitchen, and all the problems that was causing.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05They had a back door that let in rain.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08And in the lounge, under the bay window,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10the damp was still coming in.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17They'd forked out a whopping nine grand on labour and materials.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21But they were left without many of the goods they'd paid for.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23We haven't been supplied our kitchen.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26The damp has re-occurred under the bay window in the living room.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Laminate flooring hasn't been provided for the hall.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31There's part of the bathroom missing.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34There's a leak from the bathroom into the kitchen.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37The water pours out of the ceiling when you get in the bath.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40The couple's home is a damp-ridden disaster.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43Dawn's mum is appalled.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45You just can't use the cupboards,
0:08:45 > 0:08:47you can't put nothing under the sink,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50everything smells dead musty, your food smelling musty.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53You put your sugar out and the sugar bowl gets wet within a day.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Out of cash, and with their big day approaching,
0:08:56 > 0:09:01the dream of having their home finished in time for the wedding was over.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05This young couple have been left devastated and disillusioned.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09It's hard to deal with, and a lot of sleepless nights.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11A lot of sleepless nights for me.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14It really upsets me that we got duped by him.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17I suffer with anxiety. Erm...
0:09:17 > 0:09:19and it's been very hard for me.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24Panic attacks, constantly not sleeping,
0:09:24 > 0:09:28going into real dark moods.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Worse still, Dawn blames herself.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34In a way, it was my fault, because I made the decision...
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- ..to go with him. - It's nobody's fault.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42It's a marriage, and we make decisions together.
0:09:42 > 0:09:43Yeah.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- And although we weren't married at the time, we were in our hearts. - Yeah.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Dawn's mum, Norma, shares their disappointment.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54They wanted to start a family as soon as they got married,
0:09:54 > 0:09:56and this has really put them back, because they're saying
0:09:56 > 0:09:59"We can't have a baby in the house because of the dampness."
0:09:59 > 0:10:04He's just destroyed them, really destroyed them. I don't know how anyone would do this to them.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08You know, it's stories like this that get me really racked off,
0:10:08 > 0:10:10when I hear about cowboy builders
0:10:10 > 0:10:12and the damage they leave in their wake.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15I think it's time for me to have a chat with the Hendricksons,
0:10:15 > 0:10:17and see if we can get them back on track.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21First, I need to see the full extent of the problem.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- You must be Andrew.- I am.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- I'm Clive from Cowboy Trap. - Pleased to meet you.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- Now, I hear you've had problems with cowboy builders.- We have.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- Do you mind if I go and have a quick nosey round?- Please come on in.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- Great. Where are the majority of the problems?- In the kitchen.- OK.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- I'll come and find you in a little bit.- Thank you very much.- Cheers.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43Let's see what this cowboy has cooked up in the kitchen.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Ooh! Look at the size of that step!
0:10:45 > 0:10:48That's no good. If you're coming in and out of a kitchen,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50I don't know what the plans are for this,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53but that needs another step, cos that's not very good.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56If you're carrying a tray of food, you trip up that...
0:10:56 > 0:10:57That's got to be eight inches.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Oh, and there's a door that leads to nowhere.
0:11:01 > 0:11:07That's interesting. Doorway's been bricked up, but the door's been left in. That's nice of him.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Don't like the look of that.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13We've got a cable here that's actually exposed.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15That, I'm really concerned about.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19This is actually a power tracer pen, and it's a great little tool.
0:11:19 > 0:11:24I'm just going to pop that on. Yeah, that's as live as you like.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28The danger of these exposed electrics
0:11:28 > 0:11:30is compounded by the damp running down the walls.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33OK, well we can see problems there...
0:11:34 > 0:11:37..with moisture ingress.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40That also looks like there's moisture coming in there, too.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43It looks like there's moisture coming in a lot of places, here.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47I think we need to find out the source of where that water's coming in,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49and I'm going to gamble there's a bathroom up there,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51so I'm going to check it out.
0:11:53 > 0:11:59Bingo! The bathroom is directly above the kitchen.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02CLIVE SINGS JAMES BOND THEME
0:12:02 > 0:12:07When it comes to cowboy builders, I'm licensed to show 'em the hammer.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10I've just found the source of that damp problem.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13So this is identical size to the kitchen.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Again, in this corner was where all of that water was coming in.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19I believe that is waste water,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22it's not mains-pressured water because it'd be running down all the time.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25So there's obviously a problem under the shower tray.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27And of course in this corner,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30remember down below we've got that electrical cable,
0:12:30 > 0:12:32we've got another problem here.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Now, I believe that is definitely going to be a waste problem.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38So, one of the waste pipes, are not connected properly,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42I think that's what we'll find. The problem is, we're going to cause some disruption,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45because we're going to disturb this bath by lifting it out,
0:12:45 > 0:12:48we're going to have to disturb the shower by lifting it out.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51And then the floor, to find out what's gone on underneath,
0:12:51 > 0:12:55because I firmly believe there is a problem with the waste pipes.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58One of them or both of them haven't been connected properly.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01I fear that they might have not been connected at all,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05but we'll have to wait and see, cos there's a lot of moisture coming down there.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08But either way, it means this bathroom's going to be upside down.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Last on my checklist is the exterior.
0:13:12 > 0:13:13Ooh.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Now, what we've got to bear in mind is this property's quite old.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19The late 1800s was when it was built,
0:13:19 > 0:13:23which means that there's no cavity in the wall, like a modern-day property,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26it's just a solid wall, and they're always prone to damp.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31What worries me here is the state of this kitchen wall.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Do you remember when we were talking about the door in the kitchen,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37that it's been bricked up?
0:13:37 > 0:13:41This was a doorway, it's been bricked up, and then they've used a sort of render.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44It's not brilliant, I mean, it's so wet, for a start.
0:13:44 > 0:13:45Hasn't been sealed off.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49That's going to have water penetrating through it all the time.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51Look, you've got this little pocket here,
0:13:51 > 0:13:55and when it rains, that pocket is just going to fill with water.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57And once you get the render breaking down,
0:13:57 > 0:13:59unless you treat it there and then,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02you're going to get great big pockets of it falling off.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05And, as you can hear, it's pulling away from the wall.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07And that's all gone.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09To me...
0:14:10 > 0:14:14I've got to be honest with you. Looking at it, looking at it up there,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17if you can afford it, I'd re-render the whole thing.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Well, from what I can see, there's a real bodge gone on here.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23But there might be some untold story so far,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25so I need to speak to Dawn and Andrew,
0:14:25 > 0:14:27and find out where their real problems lie.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31OK, you lovely people.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Talk me through the problems you have in this kitchen,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37and whatever's going on upstairs in the bathroom, as well.
0:14:37 > 0:14:38What do you know of?
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Well, first of all, we paid for a new kitchen,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44which the builder had the money up front, and never supplied.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- So he took the money and run, didn't get the kitchen.- Yeah.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48What other problems?
0:14:48 > 0:14:53There's leaks above your head, which, from that crack just up there,
0:14:53 > 0:14:55leaks right down onto that wire,
0:14:55 > 0:14:57and we're not sure if it's live or not.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02I can tell you, I've already tested it, and I can actually show you. Take a look.
0:15:02 > 0:15:03That is live.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06That copper cable there is the live.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Now, anybody touching that,
0:15:10 > 0:15:12at best, is going to get a new hairstyle.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16No wonder they're so shocked.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19They've been living with a potential killer in their kitchen.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Don't put yourself in danger. Remember -
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Before they carry out any work...
0:15:38 > 0:15:41This couple's kitchen has other dangers.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43I want to discuss this damp problem.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48I don't think that water is coming through from mains-pressured water. It looks more like waste.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- When you empty the bath or have a shower, is that when it comes down? - It seems to.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54It tends to be when it's getting emptied.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56It's caused all this damp problem as well.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59For me, the fact that this is waste water,
0:15:59 > 0:16:03it's got all sorts of bacterial problems, too. So, if you're preparing food,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05you're going to have to make sure
0:16:05 > 0:16:10that you've got an anti-bacterial wipe or spray
0:16:10 > 0:16:12constantly on the tops of these worktops.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15One of the problems I've been having is I can't put things in the cupboards,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17because they smell terribly of damp.
0:16:17 > 0:16:23Any other problems around the house? I've had a look outside, there are one or two damp problems going on.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- Yeah.- Anything else in the property? - There's damp underneath the bay window.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31We paid for a front door that never got provided.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35The laminate flooring wasn't provided in the hall that we paid for.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38And there's the door right behind you that hasn't been bricked up properly.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41It's only been bricked up on the outside.
0:16:41 > 0:16:42I called it the door to nowhere.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44And that's exactly where it is going,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46nowhere, just to a brick wall.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48We've got a major job on our hands.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53But for now, it's safe to say this is not a place to be.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55This kitchen is not a place to be.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58So, I think it's time we get out.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01I'm going to need to call the good guys in, and we start sorting this out.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Coming up, when it comes to powers of persuasion,
0:17:06 > 0:17:11I find out just how believable this couple's cowboy could be.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14He gave us the whole story of how he'd been conned before,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17and he'd never do that to anyone else.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21And the dirty deception of this terrible tradesman
0:17:21 > 0:17:23is uncovered by the good guys.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27To tell them "I've cured the damp problem in the front," it's just a blatant lie.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33In the historic city of Liverpool, Andrew and Dawn Hendrickson were getting married,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36and wanted to start a family after their honeymoon.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40But before the patter of tiny feet came along,
0:17:40 > 0:17:42they needed to renovate their home.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46They borrowed cash from Andrew's parents
0:17:46 > 0:17:48to turn their plans for a home makeover into reality.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52However, after paying nine grand for a kitchen, a new door,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54flooring and other materials,
0:17:54 > 0:17:59their callous cowboy headed for the hills with their money.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Without a penny to spare,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05the couple have been living with a leaky bodge-job build looming over them
0:18:05 > 0:18:07for 18 months.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10I want to know more about their home, their plans,
0:18:10 > 0:18:16and how they fell into this low-down, dirty cowboy's trap.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18So, going back to when you purchased the property,
0:18:18 > 0:18:22did you know at the time it was going to need work doing to it?
0:18:22 > 0:18:25I think when we bought the house, erm,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27we were young and naive, I suppose.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30We were just so excited to be buying a house,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33and we didn't realise just how much work would have to go into the house.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36You notice things as you live longer in a property.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38So, we knew the work needed doing,
0:18:38 > 0:18:40and we wanted to get it done before we got married,
0:18:40 > 0:18:44so we could come back from honeymoon and start a family.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48So, you're saying, roughly about four years later,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51you're deciding, OK, we want one or two things changing.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- We wanted a new kitchen cos it was never to your taste.- No.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58We decided to change the layout of it by moving the entrance
0:18:58 > 0:19:01and closing off the exit to the back yard.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03We wanted a new front door, new bathroom,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06laminate flooring throughout.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09We borrowed some money off my parents to get all the work done,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11while we saved up for the wedding.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14How, then, did you go about finding the builder
0:19:14 > 0:19:17to convert those ideas into reality?
0:19:17 > 0:19:19We had a look at a few different builders,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22and got quotes off quite a few.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27And then one day on an off-chance we went to a local market
0:19:27 > 0:19:30which had a bathroom set up in it.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32We asked the guy and he said,
0:19:32 > 0:19:35"I'm not selling the bath, it's my work that I'm selling.
0:19:35 > 0:19:41"I'm a builder, and I do everything to do with renovating a house."
0:19:41 > 0:19:45So we took a note of his number, got him to come out,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47give us a quote, and the quote was quite competitive.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51He gave us the whole story of how, you know,
0:19:51 > 0:19:53he's an honest man,
0:19:53 > 0:19:56and he'd been conned before and he'd never do that to anyone else.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58I suppose I fell for it.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01The moment they start talking about being good, honest people
0:20:01 > 0:20:05and they talk about being ripped off, and things like that.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07I think it's time to step away straight away.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09That's my personal opinion - step away from it.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13So, we now know the background of how this guy managed to wheedle his way in.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17You didn't go and see any of his previous work.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22No, but he brought scrapbooks with photos of all his work. Showing us.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- Like portfolios.- Yeah.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- Portfolios are fantastic things... - Yeah.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- ..but they're not the real thing. - Yeah.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- Yeah.- They're not the real deal.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34Andrew and Dawn didn't check out their builder properly. Take my tip.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Don't let price alone sway your decision.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52You get what you pay for.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Make sure the jobs you visit are similar to yours.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Dawn and Andrew didn't check their builder's work.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13Instead, they booked their cowboy, agreeing to his nine grand quote.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Do you know what that included in the 9,000?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18It included supplying a kitchen,
0:21:18 > 0:21:23supplying the bathroom suite with a shower, a bath, sink, toilet.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Included supplying a front door, a back door.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29A lot of it was supplies as well as labour.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31And he asked for all the money for the supplies up front.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- You were quite happy, and you were convinced he was a good guy.- Yeah.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37You were quite happy to hand over money.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Yeah, but wasn't going to give him cash. But that's what he asked for.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44I didn't want to be carrying £5,000 round with me.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47- First of all, well done.- Yeah.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Because most people I talk to have handed cash over.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52- Yeah.- And that is absolutely no good.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54- It's virtually untraceable.- Yeah.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59OK, so banker's draft or cheque is the key payment.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04- But he wouldn't have it go into his account, he wanted it to his wife's account.- His wife's account.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07OK, I'm going to sound the ship's horn.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11Because straight away, that is an alarm.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Yeah.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16If he wants it paying into his wife's account,
0:22:16 > 0:22:17there's a reason for that.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- It was almost certainly tax avoidance.- Yeah.
0:22:20 > 0:22:21- That's for sure.- Yeah.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24But I'm going to let you off,
0:22:24 > 0:22:28because this is your first property, you didn't really know,
0:22:28 > 0:22:29and you hadn't got the advice.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32So, he gets the five grand via his wife.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- Yeah.- Work starts.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Things seem to be going fine.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40I remember asking him when the work would be finished.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Would it be finished by the end of March?
0:22:42 > 0:22:45And he said - and I don't know why this sticks with me -
0:22:45 > 0:22:46"It has to be."
0:22:47 > 0:22:50But when the end of March arrived,
0:22:50 > 0:22:55Dawn and Andrew had forked out a massive £9,000.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Yet the work was still unfinished.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01Worse still, the builder had stopped turning up.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05He kept making excuses. The reasons that the kitchen wasn't here,
0:23:05 > 0:23:09and he wasn't here, and the front door never came.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13- Do you know where he'd ordered the items from?- No.- No.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14Do you think you should,
0:23:14 > 0:23:16- as homeowners, know this?- Yeah. - Yeah, I do now.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Definitely, you should.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21I think the idea with us was that
0:23:21 > 0:23:24it was easier if he came and said,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26"It's going to cost x amount for supply and fitting,"
0:23:26 > 0:23:29rather than getting quotes for all the work separate,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32and then having to find the supplies.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34With no details for their kitchen supplier,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Dawn and Andrew have nowhere to turn.
0:23:37 > 0:23:38Don't let this happen to you.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Then you'll be able to keep track of what you're paying for.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01By now, the couple had spent £9,000, but had no kitchen, no door,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04and no hallway flooring to show for it.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06They also had no builder.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08When the realisation hit
0:24:08 > 0:24:10he was obviously not going to come back,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13what was going through your mind?
0:24:13 > 0:24:16I was devastated, really was. Completely devastated,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19because we just wanted to have everything done for when we got married,
0:24:19 > 0:24:22and there was no light at the end of the tunnel.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26It put strain between us, cos when he was stressed,
0:24:26 > 0:24:29he couldn't explain to me what was wrong.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31And I'd feel like he was upset with me.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33This guy was driving a wedge.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38It could've been a lot worse. because we are so strong together,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40I think if it wouldn't have been for each other,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42- we wouldn't have got through it, would we?- No.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45What is it that we could do for you now
0:24:45 > 0:24:48that would make you happy?
0:24:48 > 0:24:52I think if we solved the problems with the leaks and the damp,
0:24:52 > 0:24:55and if we could do anything with that kitchen.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Just safe, as well.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02They don't yet know it, but I'll do more than that.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06I want to do as much as we can for this unlucky couple.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11You know, it really does my head in when I hear so-called builders
0:25:11 > 0:25:12taking advantage of people,
0:25:12 > 0:25:15particularly those who are just setting out in married life,
0:25:15 > 0:25:19who've had to beg, steal, borrow, scrimp and save
0:25:19 > 0:25:20just to put a roof over their head.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23There's loads of problems in this property.
0:25:23 > 0:25:24Don't just take my word for it.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29I've asked along independent chartered surveyor, Glen Nicholas, for his opinion.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Let's see what he's got to say about it.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45- Here's the man. How are you, Glen? Good to see you again, sir. - Good to see you.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48You've had a chance to have a look, what have you found?
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Well, basically, the kitchen, there's water
0:25:50 > 0:25:54coming in from the corner over the boiler, and on this side over an old door.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58And that's coming from the shower and bathroom upstairs.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02He probably did electrical work without being qualified to do so.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06That's correct. As I understand it, he's put some electric sockets in.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Just behind you, above where the water's coming in, those have to be looked at.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13But in terms of what you've seen,
0:26:13 > 0:26:15what sort of score out of ten would you give it?
0:26:15 > 0:26:19The work so far, especially with live electrics, about two.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21OK. Two it shall be.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24- Where the electrics are concerned, that is a real no-no.- It's a no-no.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27For sure. I'll let you carry on with your notes. Great to see you again,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30and hopefully we're going to put all this right pretty soon.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36You know, this kitchen is not a very nice place to be.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37If you think you're preparing food,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40and you've got all those damp spores all over the place,
0:26:40 > 0:26:42it can't be good for your health.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Worse still, you've got a live electric cable down there,
0:26:45 > 0:26:47mixing with water.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51Now that is as deadly as the point on that sword.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54So I'm going to declare this area a no go zone.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59The only people allowed past this cordon are myself and the good guys.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02And, talking of which, I think it's time to get 'em in.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10Local builder, Paul, and his team are ready to get cracking.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Before they do, I want to catch up on the plan of action.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17- Who is this man in the high-vis vest?- Hiya, mate.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- How are you? You must be Paul. - Yeah.- I'm Clive.- Hi, Clive, you OK?
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Now, loads of problems gone on in here,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26not just the bathroom above us, but in the kitchen and outside.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Talk us through where you think the problems are and how we're going to rectify it.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33The first thing is the leaks upstairs.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36When the couple take a shower or a bath, both of them leak.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39So the problem is, we're going to have problems with waste pipes.
0:27:39 > 0:27:44Now, they've spent a few bob getting the flooring done, it would seem a shame to rip it all up.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46I think it may be more pertinent
0:27:46 > 0:27:49to take sections of the ceiling down, and renew the waste pipes coming through.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51So, you mean get at it from underneath?
0:27:51 > 0:27:55- Get at it from underneath. - I think that's a great idea.
0:27:55 > 0:28:00If it's coming through the waste, then that's the easiest option to save destroying the floor.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03OK. Now, in terms of what's going to happen down here,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05what's the plans for the outside?
0:28:05 > 0:28:10I think first thing, take the door out. That wants bricking up and doing properly.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14The outside, then, some of it's flaking off and not right, so that needs some work.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18- OK.- But, I mean, one of the biggest things is obviously live cables.- Yes!
0:28:18 > 0:28:22What we're going to do is get the electrician to come in and check all the electrics on it,
0:28:22 > 0:28:27and get the plumber to come in and check all the stuff as well, first, so we know what we're dealing with.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31- How long do you think it's going to take?- About two weeks.
0:28:31 > 0:28:32So pleased you're on board.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37And I can't wait to see the finished product.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39- Paul, good to see you. - No problem at all.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41- Thanks. I'll be catching up with you later.- Yeah.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45- And I'll let you carry on looking at your plans.- Okey-dokey.- I'm off.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47- See you in a little while. - Cheers. Ta-ra.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49With plans hatched and builders braced,
0:28:49 > 0:28:53Dawn and Andrew are ready to leave their house in the hands of our good guys.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58But before they head to Dawn's mum's for a two-week stay,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01I want to help them get some answers to their questions.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Now, young Dawn, young Andrew.
0:29:05 > 0:29:10When was the last time you had any dialogue with your builder, the bad builder?
0:29:10 > 0:29:12The bad builder, it was about four weeks ago.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17When your office got in touch with him to give him his right to reply,
0:29:17 > 0:29:19he telephoned me and told me
0:29:19 > 0:29:25that he intended to repay the entire debt of about £2,500,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28£50 at a time,
0:29:28 > 0:29:32and he has since sent a postal order for £55.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37This is a first for me. I've never had one that's offered to pay money back,
0:29:37 > 0:29:39or if I have, they've never done it.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42We've wrote to him, we've had solicitors write to him,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44nothing has ever got anything out of him.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48But now we've got £55, and with the promises he's broke in the past,
0:29:48 > 0:29:51I wouldn't hold any hopes up of getting any more.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54So you think it'll hold about as much water as your ceiling in the kitchen?
0:29:54 > 0:29:56- Yeah.- Probably.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59If you had an opportunity to speak to him,
0:29:59 > 0:30:01what questions would you like to ask him?
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Well, I'd like to ask him why he targeted us.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06What about you, Andrew?
0:30:06 > 0:30:09I'd like to know why he took money from us for goods,
0:30:09 > 0:30:13such as the kitchen, the front door, the laminate flooring that he never supplied,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16why take the money and do that?
0:30:16 > 0:30:19But he also told you, if I remember rightly,
0:30:19 > 0:30:23that the companies that he'd purchased these items from
0:30:23 > 0:30:24had all gone bust.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27That was one of the stories, yeah.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29But the stories change from time to time.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32OK, I'm going to give you the opportunity to do that.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36- We've got his number, so do you think you're up for giving him a call?- Yeah, I think so.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38OK, so it's over to you.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Hi, it's Andrew and Dawn. Are you prepared to answer some questions?
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Right. When would you be available?
0:30:47 > 0:30:50There's no chance you could do it today?
0:30:52 > 0:30:55OK, then. Thank you. Bye, now.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58He is not available to answer questions,
0:30:58 > 0:31:01cos he is in a taxi about to visit the hospital.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05When we contacted the cowboy, he denied his work was substandard.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07But since filming,
0:31:07 > 0:31:11the couple have received no more of the promised £50 payments.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18Coming up, I can't wait to see Dawn and Andrew's reaction
0:31:18 > 0:31:21when I reveal their transformed home.
0:31:21 > 0:31:22You sure this is our house?
0:31:22 > 0:31:24This is your house!
0:31:26 > 0:31:31Dawn and Andrew Hendrickson's renovations turned to ruin
0:31:31 > 0:31:34when their trusted cowboy took their cash and never returned.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39They paid nine grand, but didn't receive their kitchen,
0:31:39 > 0:31:41flooring or door.
0:31:41 > 0:31:46Worse still, the work that had been done was dodgy and dangerous.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51Their dream of a beautiful home, fit for a future family,
0:31:51 > 0:31:52was in tatters.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00But we brought in the good guys, who've been hard at it,
0:32:00 > 0:32:03fixing the endless builder blunders in the bathroom,
0:32:03 > 0:32:05kitchen and exterior of the house.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08They've already stripped out that rotten kitchen,
0:32:08 > 0:32:11and removed the plaster back to the brickwork.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15They're dealing with those disgusting damp problems once and for all.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18You can see on the floor and on the wall,
0:32:18 > 0:32:22leaving the marks, just how damp it's been behind the units.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24While the work is progressing,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27the Hendricksons have moved in with Dawn's mum.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Their anticipation is building.
0:32:30 > 0:32:31It's been hard not to go and peek.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35We were up at about three o'clock in the morning, just talking about it.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38I said it felt like when you're going on holiday, and you've got
0:32:38 > 0:32:40that little bit of nerves about going,
0:32:40 > 0:32:43but you're excited about getting there. That's how it felt.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Well, they'll have to be patient.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Our guys are still hard at it.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52They've fixed the leaky bathroom pipes from below,
0:32:52 > 0:32:56and bricked up that kitchen wall where the cowboy had left a door to nowhere.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58And in the front room,
0:32:58 > 0:33:02they discovered the cause of all that dingy damp.
0:33:02 > 0:33:07We took off the plasterboard and lightweight plaster underneath, and this is now what we're left with.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11You can see the damp on the brickwork where it's going to come through.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15To tell them, "I've cured the damp problem in the front," it's a blatant lie.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19There's still a lot to be done, but Paul is cracking the whip to get the job completed.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21The lads have worked weekends
0:33:21 > 0:33:23and worked late of a night to make sure we get it done
0:33:23 > 0:33:26and get these kids back in their house as soon as they can.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30This house of horrors will soon be a thing of the past.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Dawn and Andrew are chipping in too,
0:33:32 > 0:33:34to make sure the job's a good one.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38I did have a few nightmares that everything's still gone wrong,
0:33:38 > 0:33:42but it's going to be so nice to know that it's done properly,
0:33:42 > 0:33:45and to know that you don't have to worry about it.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47I just can't wait to get home.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51I can't wait to see the final result, either.
0:33:53 > 0:33:57It's been a few weeks in coming, but at last the work is over,
0:33:57 > 0:33:59and it's time for me to take a sneaky peek.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04Well, I tell you something, I did not expect that.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06This wasn't in the remit, by the way.
0:34:06 > 0:34:11The whole of this fascia at the front has actually been re-painted.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13Look at that. Let's take a look inside.
0:34:22 > 0:34:23HE CHUCKLES
0:34:23 > 0:34:25Ah, dear. Makes you giggle.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28It's not very often I'm caught out for words,
0:34:28 > 0:34:30but this is what it's all about.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33I just realise how important this kitchen is to them,
0:34:33 > 0:34:36and the state it was in before.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38It was in such a mess.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41Looking at it now, that's just amazing.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44The step's in place, you've not got that huge step.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48We've removed that dodgy drop by adding an extra step.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52And, with the electrics sorted, the damp addressed,
0:34:52 > 0:34:57and the walls re-tiled and painted, it couldn't get much hotter in this kitchen.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00It just looks like a fully-functioning kitchen.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04This is going to be a massive surprise to them.
0:35:04 > 0:35:05This room looks amazing.
0:35:05 > 0:35:10But what's happened outside to that troublesome rear wall?
0:35:13 > 0:35:16Again, this has all been painted out here.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20Do you remember before that was just all bricked up, it was a complete mess.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23So that's all been done. And they've painted, as well.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27So they've done reparation work where I was peeling that render off.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Obviously they've taken it back where all the loose stuff was,
0:35:30 > 0:35:32and then painted it over with a proper exterior paint.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35Looks totally different. New window, of course, as well.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37Magic little job, this is.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40And it's not just this wall that's been painted -
0:35:40 > 0:35:43they've done the whole back of the house!
0:35:43 > 0:35:44I mean...
0:35:44 > 0:35:46To be fair, just that lick of paint
0:35:46 > 0:35:49makes such a massive difference from out here.
0:35:49 > 0:35:50I'm staggered with it.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53But the good guys didn't stop there.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55They fitted new hallway flooring,
0:35:55 > 0:35:58sorted the damp below the living room window,
0:35:58 > 0:36:00and upstairs in the bathroom,
0:36:00 > 0:36:05they've replaced the bodge-job sealant around the bath and shower.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09This transformation is stunning.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11There's a man I need to thank.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14- Hey!- Hiya, mate.- Finishing touches?
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Yeah, just sorting out a bit of a drip.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21First of all, walking into the house, all the outside of the property's been painted.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24And coming inside, now, the hallway, is that new laminate floor?
0:36:24 > 0:36:28Yeah, we had to put new laminate floor down, cos we had to renew the gas main, as well.
0:36:28 > 0:36:29Why was that?
0:36:29 > 0:36:33There was a gas leak, so we've cured that, then the new floor had to go down.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36OK. Now, let me start with the bathroom upstairs,
0:36:36 > 0:36:40because that was where a lot of the problems were. What's gone on in the bathroom?
0:36:40 > 0:36:43We found out that the bath is actually leaking through,
0:36:43 > 0:36:48the waste pipes were just crossed. The water was coming out because it wasn't connected up properly.
0:36:48 > 0:36:53The shower was just bad silicone and sealants. That's all been scraped back and re-sealed.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57Everything's all been tested, and it's been left watertight and sound, now.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00- And down in that magnificent kitchen...- It looks OK, so hopefully...
0:37:00 > 0:37:05It looks OK! Blimey, when I left it, it was a right mess.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07You've done an absolutely stunning job for us.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11You should be proud of yourself. I'll let you carry on sorting that pipe.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14- All right, mate. Cheers. - Cheers.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18I can't wait to show Dawn and Andrew their beautiful home.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22Now then. I've asked the taxi driver to drop Dawn and Andrew off down the road,
0:37:22 > 0:37:25so I've got a long walk ahead of me, bit of exercise.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27Yes, I know I need it.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30They've been living with Dawn's mum for the last couple of weeks,
0:37:30 > 0:37:33so they're going to be stunned by the work.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36- We're going to have to stop meeting like this.- Ah!
0:37:36 > 0:37:39- How are you, Andrew? How are you, lovely?- I'm fine, thank you.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42- Ah, you all right? You excited? - I am, yeah.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Now, what are you hoping for?
0:37:45 > 0:37:47- A safe home.- Yes. A safe home.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50- Electrics sorted. - Indeed, yeah.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Well, are you suitably excited?
0:37:52 > 0:37:55- Very much so.- Extremely.- Come on!
0:38:03 > 0:38:04Three, two, one, take a look!
0:38:04 > 0:38:07- Ooh!- Very nice!
0:38:07 > 0:38:09That's a real improvement.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11It does, it's a real improvement.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13- Cos he'd left a real state. - He really had.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16- You remember you'd got a leak going on there, as well.- Yeah.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19So all that's been solved, all that's been sorted on the inside.
0:38:19 > 0:38:24Parts of the wall have had to be taken out and replaced cos it was so bad.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26So all the damp has been cured.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29Now, you've seen the outside, OK.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33- Now it's time for the big boy! Inside.- Inside.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35- OK, you ready?- Yeah. - Follow me.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40And, just through the door, the first surprise.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44- Now, there's something you'll notice straight away.- Ooh!
0:38:44 > 0:38:48- Laminate in the hall! - You had a problem with the gas. There was a gas leak.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51So that had to be all re-piped to make it safe.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Now, the thing is, I'm building up slowly,
0:38:53 > 0:38:58because we're about to go check out the kitchen. Right.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02- Oh!- Are you ready?- Very much so. - Yeah!- Come on!
0:39:06 > 0:39:08CLIVE SINGS A FANFARE
0:39:08 > 0:39:10DAWN GASPS
0:39:10 > 0:39:14- Oh!- You've got an extra step, now. - An extra step!
0:39:14 > 0:39:17- Wow. It looks beautiful. - It's amazing.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23Wow. It's lovely, isn't it? And it's so much more space.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26Look at all me cupboards!
0:39:26 > 0:39:27Do you like your tiles?
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Oh! Look at the lights!
0:39:31 > 0:39:33How will this change your life, now?
0:39:33 > 0:39:36- Oh.- It's going to be a lot safer, isn't it?
0:39:36 > 0:39:38I'm guessing that wire's gone.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40All the electrics have been sorted out.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44Bare cables are banished, and new sockets fitted.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47As for that damp problem...
0:39:47 > 0:39:49All of the fittings of the bath underneath,
0:39:49 > 0:39:51it was the waste pipe that was the problem.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54It was actually put on twisted and cross-threaded,
0:39:54 > 0:39:56so it was just tipping out the waste from the bath,
0:39:56 > 0:40:00- and that's what was causing the grief.- I'm sorry!- You enjoy! This is what it's all about.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04And remember that door that wasn't a door?
0:40:04 > 0:40:07- You had a doorway to nowhere. That's gone.- That's gone.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11- It looks like a completely different kitchen.- You sure this is our house?
0:40:11 > 0:40:12This is your house!
0:40:12 > 0:40:15We've installed all their mod cons.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Cooker, an extractor fan and a tumble dryer.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20And they'll no longer be dodging damp
0:40:20 > 0:40:23as they have new cupboards to store their food in.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27- The transformation is just incredible.- It is.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Yous have done a really great job for us, haven't yous?
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Well, we like to think so.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35This is a special kitchen, but outside,
0:40:35 > 0:40:38I have a few other surprises in store.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41- So, a little bit of extra here, too.- Yeah.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Do you remember a lot of your render was falling off?
0:40:44 > 0:40:47- Yeah.- That's all been secured and now painted over properly,
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- and that's all round the back, as well.- It looks amazing.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53- Yeah?- I'm so happy that I, like, literally cannot form a sentence.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55THEY LAUGH
0:40:55 > 0:40:58- Big change to your life? - BIG change to my life.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Bigger than this transformation
0:41:01 > 0:41:04is the impact it will have in the days to come.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08I hope you have a fantastic future together. You deserve it.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11- Oh, well. Can't wait. You know, we can start our family.- Yeah.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14Before we brought in the good guys,
0:41:14 > 0:41:19Dawn and Andrew had sadly put their plans for children on hold.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23Their house was a dangerous bodge-job building site,
0:41:23 > 0:41:27and the cowboy had taken money for a kitchen he never delivered.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30They were out of cash, and out of luck.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32It's been very hard for me.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37Panic attacks, constantly not sleeping.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42But this incredible transformation really is life changing,
0:41:42 > 0:41:46and it's proof there are great builders out there.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50Dawn and Andrew are thrilled, and I reckon mum Norma will be, too.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Wow!
0:41:55 > 0:41:56- Dawn!- I know!
0:42:00 > 0:42:04- Look!- It's lovely. - Can you believe it's the same room?
0:42:04 > 0:42:05Isn't it beautiful?
0:42:05 > 0:42:08- It's not even the same. - That's what I said!
0:42:08 > 0:42:11Come here.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16They say the kitchen's the heart of the home.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20Well, I think it's safe to say we've mended a broken heart today.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25But my job's not over yet.
0:42:26 > 0:42:31Well, once again, that is a fantastic job, and no doubt about it.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33But think about Dawn and Andrew.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37Young couple, vulnerable, first rung of the housing ladder,
0:42:37 > 0:42:38and what happens?
0:42:38 > 0:42:40A cowboy builder hits them hard.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44But I've got a message for all cowboy builders out there.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Look over your shoulder, because we're right behind you!
0:42:47 > 0:42:50If you've had a problem with builders and you would like
0:42:50 > 0:42:53to tell your story on Cowboy Trap, then please call us.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04Or you can send us an email, to -
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Help us round up the cowboys.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd