0:00:07 > 0:00:12Once again I'm on the road to uncover really dodgy building work.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17Cowboy builders may well be able to hide their work from you,
0:00:17 > 0:00:20but even the most cunning can't hide their tricky work from these eyes.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24I've got my dream home, my vision in my mind
0:00:24 > 0:00:26and it's just all collapsed around me.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29I'm going to bring in a top team who will put right
0:00:29 > 0:00:32the wrongs that these cowboy builders have caused.
0:00:32 > 0:00:38- We've now been bathing in a plastic tub for nine months.- Wow!
0:00:38 > 0:00:42My advice and tips will help you spot the tell-tale signs
0:00:42 > 0:00:44of the cowboy builder.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46That is just downright dangerous.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48You've got a drop of two feet or more.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50There's no way anybody can be around here.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55It's time to show you how to avoid falling into the Cowboy Trap.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Today we're near Heathrow in the town of Ashford in Surrey
0:01:08 > 0:01:10to meet single mum Lesley Sukamto.
0:01:10 > 0:01:16Lesley's varied work life has so far taken many routes.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21I've been a secretary, worked on a building site, actually.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Been backpacking round the world,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27I've been a chauffeuress in a limousine.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30I'm also a qualified beauty therapist.
0:01:30 > 0:01:36Then in her last job, her drive for travel took her career in a whole new direction.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38I've always been a confident driver,
0:01:38 > 0:01:42so I've worked many years as a bus driver mainly up to Hammersmith.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47That was my chosen route. I knew 14 different routes.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Lesley has lived in a two-bed semi for 19 years.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Now with daughter Honor she wanted an extension.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Her dream was to have extra bedrooms and a bigger kitchen.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03But the real icing on the cake was to have a family bathroom
0:02:03 > 0:02:06and a nice ensuite downstairs.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11I've got my dream home, my vision in my mind.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14My bathroom upstairs all nice and big and new.
0:02:14 > 0:02:19My shower cubicle area downstairs, the ensuite, you know.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23That's what I dream of and that's what I want.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28Lesley got several quotes from builders which varied in cost.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Then her building inspector assigned by the local council
0:02:31 > 0:02:34recommended two of the builders,
0:02:34 > 0:02:36one of which came out at an average price.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41He could start when she needed and complete the job within three months.
0:02:41 > 0:02:47Lesley wanted a two-storey extension to the side and rear of her home
0:02:47 > 0:02:50to create a larger kitchen, a new bathroom,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53and add an extra bedroom
0:02:53 > 0:02:56as well as a bedroom-cum-study with ensuite shower room.
0:02:56 > 0:03:03The recommended builder quoted £31,950.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Lesley thought he was the man who could fulfil her dream.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Being a single mum is tough,
0:03:09 > 0:03:13but this extension was going to create a fantastic new home
0:03:13 > 0:03:15for Lesley and Honor.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18To raise the money for the project, Lesley sold her car,
0:03:18 > 0:03:23used credit cards and borrowed money from friends and relatives.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27My parents had given me some money upfront.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30My friend Nick trusted me sufficiently well
0:03:30 > 0:03:33to take out a credit card with so much credit on.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38In addition I've taken out another interest-free offer with another credit card.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42While construction on the two-storey extension started well,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45it wasn't long before the building work
0:03:45 > 0:03:48made life very difficult for Lesley and Honor.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52The builder left them high and dry when he removed the bathroom
0:03:52 > 0:03:57without making alternative arrangements for the family to wash.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02So they had to use a plastic box filled with water from the kettle.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05It's been so time-consuming.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09I was literally having to keep boiling up kettles
0:04:09 > 0:04:12and you know how kettles run up your electricity bill.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14That's it, filling up all the bath all the time.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18It could take you two hours all in all.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23Things are now pretty desperate for Lesley.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Unable to wash and the house in a total mess.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30She's had no washing facilities for nearly nine months.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32How can ANYONE do this to her?
0:04:32 > 0:04:36It was not only difficult for them to live in their home,
0:04:36 > 0:04:40but Lesley had noticed the quality of work was substandard.
0:04:40 > 0:04:47She was so frustrated that she took it upon herself to do her own DIY repairs.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52I saw a considerable amount of lack of pointing down the side alley,
0:04:52 > 0:04:58so I found some wet, discarded mortar, so with my daughter's little bucket
0:04:58 > 0:05:03put it in and got down the narrow gap and started pointing it myself,
0:05:03 > 0:05:07which gave me mortar burns that lasted about three weeks.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11By now Lesley was two months into the project
0:05:11 > 0:05:14and nearly £28,000 out of pocket.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Her dream home was nowhere in sight.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22Instead she had dangerous, unfinished construction work,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25upheaval and mess everywhere, no bathroom and no heating.
0:05:25 > 0:05:31It meant both mother and daughter were forced to camp out in the lounge.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35This sofa makes up into a sofa bed, so we've been sleeping out here.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38We pull it out at night, put it back in the morning.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43With no heating it was just so cold to go upstairs.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Then came the final straw.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49He'd been dragging his heels, turning up late, leaving early,
0:05:49 > 0:05:54not doing what I considered a full day's work
0:05:54 > 0:05:56which he used to do in the early days.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00I went out into the garden to see what he'd been doing the previous day
0:06:00 > 0:06:04and I saw how he'd re-bricked up my patio.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07This is what I discovered.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09That was the colour of the brick before
0:06:09 > 0:06:13and he'd put in these orange engineering bricks.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15No effort, look at that.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Literally thrown in there.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22Well, that was it to me. That's it, that's enough.
0:06:22 > 0:06:28I mean I was absolutely disgraced at that lack of skill,
0:06:28 > 0:06:32care and attention to detail, couldn't care less.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Lesley's story is a particularly tragic one.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Her life has been turned upside down
0:06:41 > 0:06:44by having to live in a house with an unfinished extension.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47On top of that, she's now stony broke
0:06:47 > 0:06:50due to having to borrow money to pay the builder
0:06:50 > 0:06:55who, in my opinion, is not only a cowboy, but a callous one too.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00I think it's time to meet Lesley and find out where it all went wrong
0:07:00 > 0:07:03and see if we can put her life back on track.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11- You must be Lesley.- What a surprise! - I'm Clive from Cowboy Trap.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15- Pleased to meet you.- I hear you've got problems with cowboy builders.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19- Yes, yes.- I can tell from the outside that it doesn't look too good.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- I might as well check this first. - If I was you I'd go down the side alley first.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- OK, brilliant.- I'll put the kettle on for you.- Great!
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Careful because there's two holes.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32There's a massive hole, isn't there?
0:07:32 > 0:07:34And a very little hole too.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37I better be careful. Thanks for warning me in advance.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41I'm not looking forward to this.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46This side extension is meant to form part of the new downstairs
0:07:46 > 0:07:51shower and study room. Although the wall linking it to the main house
0:07:51 > 0:07:56still needs to come down, one look at this brickwork and I'm worried.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00I'm just going to drop down the hole now.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03That could be dangerous in itself. I'll just take a closer look.
0:08:03 > 0:08:09First of all, this brick work here I've got to say
0:08:09 > 0:08:11is child's play looking at it.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13It's just incredible the way these are all twisted.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17They knew full well that was going to be covered by render,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20so a lot of the job wouldn't be seen.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24If this is part of their work it is very, very poor.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27The way they've actually done the interior block work,
0:08:27 > 0:08:31the mortar gaps are way, way too wide.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34It just doesn't look right at all.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Really this needs to be barriered off, because there's a child in the property.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44If they come anywhere near this, who knows what sort of injuries
0:08:44 > 0:08:48an adult could get from walking on this, let alone a child.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51It is again one of the situations that's pretty poor.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56I think I've seen enough in there.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Let's go and check inside and see what the problems are.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Lesley wanted a new bathroom and bedroom extension upstairs.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10But has she got it? Has she heck!
0:09:10 > 0:09:13First stop, the bathroom.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17They've plastered one wall. I just don't get it.
0:09:17 > 0:09:22Let's just say it's in a state of, um...incompletion.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25This looks like it's just been abandoned.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27It's going to be a while
0:09:27 > 0:09:30before Lesley and Honor get to bathe in here.
0:09:30 > 0:09:35I'm hoping the new bedroom is in a better shape.
0:09:35 > 0:09:40You can see where her plans are going and where her dream is.
0:09:40 > 0:09:47These joists here, they've put timber packers on the top, so they obviously miscalculated.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Timber packers are strips of wood that can be used to build up and even out
0:09:51 > 0:09:53the levels of a floor.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56This is not the safest in the world to be doing,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59so I'm going to get onto this board.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03So, it actually makes quite a nice sized room,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06but again it's been left in a state of danger.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Just having a board across there isn't enough.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Especially, again, when you've got children in the property.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14You've got a fall, there, right through,
0:10:14 > 0:10:19down into what looks like the kitchen extension.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22It's not safe and it's just not clever.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25It just looks such a mess.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27And talking of mess.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Oh, dear. Come and have a look at this. Have a look in there.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34This is what life's like when you get the builders in.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Now, there's no way that little Honor can use her bedroom at all.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42When you get the builders in, you've got to remember there's going
0:10:42 > 0:10:44to be some sort of disruption.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48But for this length of time and for this amount of aggro
0:10:48 > 0:10:51that will add pressure to the whole thing.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53And, as you can see, just by looking in that bedroom,
0:10:53 > 0:10:56I would imagine that's a reflection
0:10:56 > 0:10:58of most of the rooms around the house.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01That it'll almost be like no-go zones.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04From one mess to another. Here we go again.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09This is how it impacts on general life. It must get you down.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Just be prepared.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15No way, that shouldn't be like that.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19Sadly, it looks as if Lesley's longed-for dream kitchen extension
0:11:19 > 0:11:21is also in bits.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23That is just downright dangerous.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27You've got a drop of two feet or more, two and a half feet.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30For a builder to leave it in this state, he should be ashamed.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34Now, take a look at this.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36This door is temporary in more ways than one.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40If I try and shut it, think about the security angle
0:11:40 > 0:11:43before we even think about the amount of cold air that's coming in.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46But look at that, the whole frame is moving.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Now, the danger with that, of course,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50is good, strong gust of wind,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53who knows how long that's going to stay there.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57And if anybody was down in this hole when that drops,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59this is a weighty, old door, let me tell you.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02And all you've got there, look, is plastic tarpaulin,
0:12:02 > 0:12:07up and over the top of the threshold and, as I say,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09great for posting your parcels if nobody's in
0:12:09 > 0:12:11but that's about all.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16The place is unfinished, dangerous and unsecure.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20Worse still, Lesley and Honor have been living like this now
0:12:20 > 0:12:23for more than nine months.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27What's more, they have no way of having a proper wash.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32Lesley's home footage records one of the last times she saw her bath.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40And downstairs, the shower room extension still looks like this.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43No chance of having a wash here any time soon.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47It's time to find out from Lesley exactly what's being going on.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52- What were your plans for this room? - This whole wall is to come out.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54It will be a shower ensuite,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57come bedroom, stroke office.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- In this space, once we're open. - Yeah.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04So, we've got a shower ensuite, bedroom, office.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05Well, stroke office.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10All compact and bijou. It's going to be well compact, that is.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13But, interestingly enough, I think it would make a massive difference
0:13:13 > 0:13:17once you're knocked out through there.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20You cannot be taking this wall down without supporting the stairs.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- Or, otherwise, the stairs will be floating in midair.- Yeah.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26It was my gut feeling
0:13:26 > 0:13:31that this builder didn't really have the knowledge of how to do this.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34So, I think he's just left it because he never planned to deal with it.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- That's my feelings.- Yeah.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41- So, let's go upstairs. - Right, follow me, Clive.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47What a relief the builder didn't touch that wall.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Unfortunately, he did get his hands on the family bathroom.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56My old bath was there. And my daughter and I,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00we had our bath that morning and I jokingly said to her, I said,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03"Oh, I wonder how long we're going to be without a bath? Maybe three days."
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Little did I know what I was letting myself in for.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Because we've now, to date,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- been bathing in a plastic tub for nine months.- Wow.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Yes, yes, it was originally my daughter's old, baby bath
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- that I got down from the loft.- Right.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22But, of course, me squeezing in there, eventually it split.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25So, ended up in a plastic box that I got up the local dump.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29That's ingenious that you've done that
0:14:29 > 0:14:33- but should you have ever been in that that position in the first place?- Well, course not.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35It's the only way I can have a bath in this house.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38And that's what I've been doing for nine months.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- You should never have had to have been doing that.- No.
0:14:40 > 0:14:46For all this time. We need to start to put an end to that.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48Well, if I knew what I knew now,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51there is no way he would have taken my bath out that Monday.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53Monday 17th May.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- That date will stick in my mind for ever.- Yeah.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59And the botched work in this new bedroom is another thing
0:14:59 > 0:15:02that I'm sure Lesley won't forget in a hurry.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Well, I'll tell you about this room.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09It, actually, was lower than the rest the house.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- That's why it's got the packers on. - Yes, yes.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17It is just rough! It is just terrible!
0:15:17 > 0:15:21This work is not just bad! It's dangerous!
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Just look at that hole in the floor
0:15:24 > 0:15:27and the downlighters are a serious fire hazard.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Before anybody seals this floor off,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32that has got to have fire hoods put on it.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Basically, because the heat that's generated
0:15:35 > 0:15:37from those low voltage lighting is intense.
0:15:37 > 0:15:42And you've got all this, you've got combustible materials all around.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45All of this sawdust goes to combustible materials.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47I'm amazed you've lived in this house
0:15:47 > 0:15:51for this length of time, in this condition and had no injuries.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56What I've seen here is really worrying me.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59But that's nothing compared to what Lesley tells me next.
0:15:59 > 0:16:05- He's literally, built on top of the original, flat roof.- Right.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07But there's a steel beam in there.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Lesley's home footage of the building work
0:16:10 > 0:16:12shows the problem.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15That steel beam across the flat roof of the kitchen
0:16:15 > 0:16:18is now supporting the extension.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22But if the far end is only resting on an old lintel,
0:16:22 > 0:16:26the whole building could collapse.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30It's something that needs investigating urgently.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33I think it was lack of thinking, really.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Yeah, you're telling me, lack of thinking.
0:16:35 > 0:16:41- Just looking around us.- He couldn't care less.- There's no thought. - He just put it where it suited him.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46Later, there's news on that structural beam and it's alarming.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50If that goes the beam, the room above,
0:16:50 > 0:16:54the roof above will all come straight down into this kitchen.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57And Lesley and Honor are in for a surprise.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59It's a magic door.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06When Lesley employed a builder to convert her semi-detached house
0:17:06 > 0:17:11into her dream home, he quoted £31,900.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16But, despite getting five grand in cash up front,
0:17:16 > 0:17:21and another £6,000 worth of materials bought for him,
0:17:21 > 0:17:25the builder somehow seemed reluctant to start work.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31It was originally lined up that he was going to start,
0:17:31 > 0:17:38Tuesday, 6 April, 2010. And then, in front of his wife, he came up with this superstition.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41He said, would you mind if I delayed it one day?
0:17:41 > 0:17:47He said, in Albania it is bad practice to dig out
0:17:47 > 0:17:52foundations any other day other than Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56So, I just gave a little giggle and I said, if you like.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59I said, start one day later, that's it.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- All to do with superstition of digging out...- Footings.- Footings.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06That might have been genuine, and I'm not knocking that,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09but what I would have required from him was that,
0:18:09 > 0:18:12if you want money upfront, I don't pay money upfront.
0:18:12 > 0:18:13I've got a superstition.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16I don't pay money upfront on days with a Y in it.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19Well, that superstition is a new one on me.
0:18:19 > 0:18:26But, whatever the excuse your builder has for wanting money upfront, remember...
0:18:39 > 0:18:43Her builder's superstitions certainly took Lesley's breath away,
0:18:43 > 0:18:48but not as much as when he removed her bath
0:18:48 > 0:18:50and still hadn't replaced it some five weeks on.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54I ended up going up in the loft
0:18:54 > 0:18:56and getting out my daughter's old baby bath.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58And squeezing myself in that.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01And then, of course, that eventually started splitting,
0:19:01 > 0:19:05so I went up the local dump and I was lucky enough to find a plastic box.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- As you do!- Somebody discarded it, and I thought, that'll come in handy.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12So that's what we've been bathing in now, for nine months.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16I have my bath, and then she'll get in and have hers.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21And then I balance it on some, like, plastic thing I've got,
0:19:21 > 0:19:27with the lid on, balance it on a slant, and with another plastic pot,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30just literally ladle it out.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32It's been so time-consuming.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Literally an hour and a half, two hours a day, I think.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Despite that, the builder continued to demand money,
0:19:39 > 0:19:44even taking drastic action to get his hands on it.
0:19:44 > 0:19:49So, how did it all come to a head with you and the builder,
0:19:49 > 0:19:50and where it all went wrong?
0:19:50 > 0:19:57Well, I received verbal threats one day on the doorstep,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00that the wife said she only wanted to receive cash payments
0:20:00 > 0:20:04and, more or less, God help you if you don't pay cash.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08She was SO aggressive, I even said to her, "Are you going to hit me?"
0:20:08 > 0:20:11I really felt that she was right in my face with aggression.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15We all stood on the doorstep and had an argument,
0:20:15 > 0:20:19and this is when they said to me, if you want us back to work,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22you have to pay me another £1,750 in cash,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26which he considered was outstanding money that he was owed.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30So, I agreed to pay him, just to literally get him back to work.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34So, the Thursday morning, of course, he didn't turn up to work.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37So, I called in the building inspector, and he said to me,
0:20:37 > 0:20:42- don't pay the builder any more money. Get onto Trading Standards.- Wow!
0:20:44 > 0:20:47To date, Lesley is £28,000 out of pocket.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51She's in debt, and has very little to show for it.
0:20:51 > 0:20:57- You are having to bathe in a bucket. - Mmm. I think, I...
0:20:57 > 0:21:02That is no fun for anyone. The dream's gone.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- The dream's up in smoke.- I was planning on going to college
0:21:05 > 0:21:10in September. I had to cancel it because it's just too time-consuming getting ready in the morning.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14You see the effect it has on, not just your daily life?
0:21:14 > 0:21:17But it's now thrown you out. You were going to go to college,
0:21:17 > 0:21:19that's thrown you out.
0:21:19 > 0:21:27- You've got, I would imagine, your heating bill quarter, with all of the...- kettle boiling.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Not just that, I'm talking about the fact that you've got
0:21:31 > 0:21:36great big, gaping holes round the door, through to the kitchen.
0:21:36 > 0:21:41That has to be mega-stressful. How does that make you feel?
0:21:41 > 0:21:45You just, you seem to be shorter tempered, really.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50It creates stress with your daughter, as well. It's not been a good time.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Three months after work began,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Lesley's dream of additional bedrooms, a family bathroom,
0:21:56 > 0:22:01a larger kitchen and en suite study area downstairs lies in tatters.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06She's been living like this for nine months.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09What could we do to start putting things right?
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Well, what would make me happy is,
0:22:12 > 0:22:16if I could get the wall taken down in the downstairs toilet room,
0:22:16 > 0:22:18and the stairs supported,
0:22:18 > 0:22:23and get that little en suite shower room that I wanted.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28Who, who had a conscience, would leave someone living like that,
0:22:28 > 0:22:30with no bathroom?
0:22:36 > 0:22:39Well, I've identified loads of problems in this property,
0:22:39 > 0:22:42and I really want to sort things out for Lesley.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45But, before we do, don't just take my word for it.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49Let's see what our independent chartered surveyor thinks about it.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Question as to why this has been built in the stud work.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01This is bound to cause cracking. This is unbelievable.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05There's no padstone that I can see
0:23:05 > 0:23:08that's underneath this load-bearing beam.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11You have to have something underneath the beam
0:23:11 > 0:23:14to support it, to spread the load onto the brickwork.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16I can't see anything.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23This wall has been built on a tilt.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Estimated discrepancy of about 25 millimetres.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30- Simon, how are you? - Hi, nice to meet you.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34Now, it's very important from our point of view to get an independent
0:23:34 > 0:23:38surveyor's reaction to what's gone on, where cowboy builders
0:23:38 > 0:23:41are concerned. What have you seen that you don't like?
0:23:41 > 0:23:47The work carried out to the interior of the house is appallingly poor.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50There are works that don't comply with building regulations.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54There are works that are flawed, in terms of their design,
0:23:54 > 0:23:57and the manner in which the work has actually been carried out.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01The standards of workmanship in some instances are utterly appalling.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Give us a mark out of 10, what you think this is worth.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08On average, the inside works are probably worth about 3 out of 10,
0:24:08 > 0:24:13but where some works have to be demolished to put them right,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15they can be given zero or one out of 10.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Zero and three is where it will stay,
0:24:17 > 0:24:21and that tells me EVERYTHING about this builder.
0:24:21 > 0:24:27Whether it's zero or three out of 10, either way, it's an awful score.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33Well, clearly, this is unsafe, not only for an adult but particularly for a child.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38So, I'm going to seal the area off. It is now a no-go zone.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41And I'm going to call in the good guys.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Ray and Paul really do have their work cut out here.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53And top of the list, is sorting out that worrying upstairs beam.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57Boys, this is always my favourite bit, bringing in the good guys.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01But, I have to say there are pockets of disaster all over this property.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04I don't know where you're going to begin.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Because, you know the thing with cowboy builders,
0:25:06 > 0:25:10it's not the things you can see on the surface of the job, it's what's beneath.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14We've had to delve right the way back through the site visits that
0:25:14 > 0:25:18the inspectors have made to uncover what mistakes this builder has done.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20And they were atrocious problems.
0:25:20 > 0:25:26Tell us roughly what jobs you're going to do throughout.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28The most important one, above this ceiling,
0:25:28 > 0:25:32there's a steel beam that's resting on this wall.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34It looks a good, solid wall,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37but there's only a very small concrete lintel there.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42If that goes, the beam, the room above, the roof,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45will all come straight down into this kitchen.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Lesley will get hurt, the child could be hurt.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50well, anybody in this vicinity could be hurt,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53like, we could be, right now. We don't want that to happen.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Listen, boys, great to have you on board.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Can't WAIT to see the finished result.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11As the local builders strip away the plaster,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14it's clear that the upstairs extension is
0:26:14 > 0:26:19bearing down on a beam that is only resting on this concrete lintel.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21And that's cracking under the weight.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25It's obvious Lesley's builder was clueless.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28The main beam's going on top of this beam here,
0:26:28 > 0:26:32which was never supported properly in the first place,
0:26:32 > 0:26:35as you can see it's already got a crack in it.
0:26:35 > 0:26:40So we're putting this steel beam in which will support that and the beam
0:26:40 > 0:26:44above it, which is supporting the top floor of the house.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47To think the heartless builder could put Lesley
0:26:47 > 0:26:52and Honor's life in danger like this just makes my blood boil.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57There are so many faults with the work, that Lesley even had a go
0:26:57 > 0:27:00at fixing the pointing in the brickwork herself!
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Here at this specialist building college in Warrington,
0:27:06 > 0:27:10the experts can show you how a job like this should be done.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17So, Dan, you're the lecturer here. Talk us through point work.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Pointing is basically refilling the mortar joints with new mortar,
0:27:20 > 0:27:22making the wall look good.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26You need to rake out between 10-12 millimetres before you start
0:27:26 > 0:27:30and brush any debris away from the wall,
0:27:30 > 0:27:33so that the mortar actually sticks in the joint better.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36So, you've got your trowel, you've got your mortar. Let's get pointing.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38So, basically,
0:27:38 > 0:27:42just get a little piece of mortar on the edge of the pointing trowel.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Start off with the bed joints.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49so, you're doing the bed joints first, which are the long joints.
0:27:49 > 0:27:54- And then do the uprights. - Yep. As you go along.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57And then you've got a finishing tool,
0:27:57 > 0:27:59and that's this that you've got at the top.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Your half round jointer.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05Give it a nice, smooth finish and just keep going over it
0:28:05 > 0:28:08until it looks absolutely spot-on.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10I tell you what, that is a bit of good work.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12We're going to get your students in, to mark it,
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- but I think that's 10 out of 10. - Thanks.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19Back at the house, the builder's bodges have caused Lesley
0:28:19 > 0:28:21stress and heartache for too long.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25So, I want to give her the chance to confront him.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28I think it's high time that your builder answered some questions,
0:28:28 > 0:28:32some much-needed questions, but I would like to know from you
0:28:32 > 0:28:36what questions you would like to ask him.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Why did he remove my bathroom?
0:28:38 > 0:28:42To remove a bathroom in somebody's house, when that is their only
0:28:42 > 0:28:46facility for having a daily wash, is just out of order.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Well, I'm going to give you that chance now.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52I'm going to put it on speakerphone, for you.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54RINGING TONE
0:28:54 > 0:28:58Hello? Recognise this voice?
0:28:58 > 0:29:01I have some questions to ask you, if you don't mind,
0:29:01 > 0:29:03and you have the right of reply.
0:29:03 > 0:29:08One, I would like to know, on Monday 17th of May, 2010,
0:29:08 > 0:29:11why did you remove my bathroom upstairs
0:29:11 > 0:29:15when you had put no drainage in place?
0:29:15 > 0:29:18You have left me with no bathroom in this house.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21Why did you take my bathroom out?
0:29:21 > 0:29:25For legal reasons, we can't broadcast the builder's voice.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28But, when asked about removing the bath,
0:29:28 > 0:29:32he said he was only following Lesley's instructions.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34Because I asked you to?! I did not ask you.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37You are in charge, as the builder.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40You said to me, do you want me
0:29:40 > 0:29:44to fit your bath upstairs, downstairs temporarily, and I said no.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47I said, after three weeks,
0:29:47 > 0:29:51I would have expected you to have had my bathroom reinstalled upstairs.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54My second question is, at the same time,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57why wasn't a steel beam discussed internally?
0:29:57 > 0:30:03You allowed the bedroom and the roof to be built on top of the kitchen,
0:30:03 > 0:30:07where no steel support had been put in, internally.
0:30:07 > 0:30:12So, ten months, all of that weight was sat on a kitchen doorway
0:30:12 > 0:30:15that didn't have sufficient support there.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19In response to this allegation, the builder said he did want
0:30:19 > 0:30:23to investigate the kitchen beam, but was told by Lesley not to.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26You really don't know what you're doing as a builder, do you?
0:30:26 > 0:30:29I think all you are is a painter and decorator.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31Anyhow, forget it!
0:30:32 > 0:30:35Oooh! Now, that was fierce!
0:30:35 > 0:30:38It was fierce.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42But, the interesting thing is, though, on recap,
0:30:42 > 0:30:46he's constantly pushing the blame back at you.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50"I didn't want this and I didn't want that!"
0:30:50 > 0:30:54How would you not want an RSJ to support the upstairs floor?
0:30:54 > 0:30:58Because it's not whether you want it, it's not
0:30:58 > 0:31:03- whether he wants it, it's building control that actually want it. - That's right.
0:31:03 > 0:31:08So, all of these things he was trying to put back, that was tough,
0:31:08 > 0:31:12that was hard, and I could feel the passion and the pain from you.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15Listen, well done, Lesley. Good shout.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Back inside, the power tools are going at full throttle
0:31:20 > 0:31:25to move this job along and give Lesley what she dreamed of -
0:31:25 > 0:31:29a new downstairs shower room-cum-office-cum-bedroom.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33But, as with all building work, it comes with a price.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Obviously, desperately hard, living in this state.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43Especially now, we've got the new, competent builders in.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45There's dust flying around again.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54With so much upheaval downstairs, Lesley and Honor decide
0:31:54 > 0:31:57to escape to a friend's house for a few days.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59As they leave, Paul and Ray get on with
0:31:59 > 0:32:02installing that all-important structural beam
0:32:02 > 0:32:06that will stop the extension from falling down.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14At the other end of the house, designer Mike Birch is busy
0:32:14 > 0:32:18turning this area into a shower room to be proud of.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21The first fix plumbing's being installed.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25Hot and cold for the shower. The mixer's going into this position.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27So, that's the majority of the first fix done now.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30From here on in, the floors will be levelled up,
0:32:30 > 0:32:34The subfloor, the plastic floor will be placed down.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36The partition wall between the bedroom
0:32:36 > 0:32:39and the en suite bathroom will be built.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41And then the whole bathroom will be enclosed,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44to start the plastering of the walls and then the tiling,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47and then the bathroom starts to take a bit of shape.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00When I first saw Lesley's house in Ashford, I was shocked.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04The cowboy builder pocketed 28 grand of her money
0:33:04 > 0:33:06and left behind a huge building nightmare.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11But, with so many problems, we can't address them all.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15So, we're tackling the most urgent, to make the house structurally safe,
0:33:15 > 0:33:20and give Lesley and daughter, Honor, a much-needed place to wash
0:33:20 > 0:33:24after they've been bathing in a bucket for the past nine months.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29Here we are at Lesley's property.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33What I want to find out is how things are getting on.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- Paul, how are you?- OK, thanks. You?- Yeah, not too bad.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42Talk me through what you've actually done.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45I can see where you've plastered and skimmed.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47That's where the steel has gone in.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49That's where the new steel beam went in, yes.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- So, you've done the steel beam. - New floor, by the back door.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55I noticed that. So, you got the new floor down.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57And I need to get skips organised and all sorts.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01- Yes, so we can get the front door cleared.- OK, well, look.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05So far, so good.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08What we need to do is complete the job.
0:34:08 > 0:34:09But, so far, brilliant.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12It's a tough job for our team of builders,
0:34:12 > 0:34:15but they've worked wonders making this house structurally safe.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18Next job is to make it comfortable for Lesley and Honor.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22I'm going to help by sorting out a skip,
0:34:22 > 0:34:26so we can rescue Lesley's house from the clutches of this cowboy builder.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Two six-yard skips.
0:34:29 > 0:34:30Come on!
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Back of the net!
0:34:34 > 0:34:36The boys have made excellent progress.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39And now, they can get rid of the rubbish
0:34:39 > 0:34:41and carry on making this property safe and secure.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48Next job on the list is to sort out that dodgy back door.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57Better. Rubbish gone. Skips gone.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00I've got a good feeling about today.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09Ray the builder, ray of light, ray of sunshine! How are you, Ray?
0:35:09 > 0:35:11I'm all right. Thank you.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13It's a whole heap different to the last time I was here.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17Talk us through everything you've done in this kitchen.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21You remember that we had the problem with the lintel?
0:35:21 > 0:35:24That's now been replaced with a solid steel beam,
0:35:24 > 0:35:27and that is now supporting all the upstairs,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30- so there's no problems there, of any more collapsing.- OK.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33The other thing that we've done is we've made the wiring safe there.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Got no cables hanging.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39No, no cables. We then gone on and we've done the plastering
0:35:39 > 0:35:40and finished off the room.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44We've done the floor, which has met with building control.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47And the doors in. From a security point of view, the family are safe.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50It looks so much better, doesn't it?
0:35:50 > 0:35:54There's still a lot more to do to get the house as it should be,
0:35:54 > 0:35:56but hopefully, we've gone a long way
0:35:56 > 0:35:59to getting Lesley started on that process.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03Now, what about in the office and in the shower area as well?
0:36:03 > 0:36:06Come and have a look at that and I think you'll be surprised.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Right, this is the other room that we've done.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12I tell you what. That is really bright and breezy now.
0:36:12 > 0:36:17- You remember how the wall used to be across there?- Yes? - Well, that's all gone.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21We then fixed the staircase, so that is supported,
0:36:21 > 0:36:26then we've done all the plastering and everything else in here.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28And the windows are in now,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31so, from a security point of view, again, really important.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34I tell you what, Ray, the floor looked great, mate.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Let's have a look in the shower area.
0:36:39 > 0:36:40Oh, yeah, man!
0:36:40 > 0:36:44That looks totally different as well, doesn't it?
0:36:44 > 0:36:46Is very compact, isn't it?
0:36:46 > 0:36:49The thing is, it's fit for purpose, for her, now.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52She was having a bath in an old plastic tub.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57Now, she's got a shower, she's got a basin, toilet, lighting, tiled.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00It looks fantastic. I think she's going to love this.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02She's going to love it.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06It's a lesson for other customers who want extensions and that done.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09They should look on the Federation of Master Builders website
0:37:09 > 0:37:12to get a recommended builder, or, they should go on
0:37:12 > 0:37:16the trading standards website, the Buy With Confidence.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Wise words, Ray, wise words. Good job, man.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22I can't wait to show her what the good guys can do.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28What a difference. That looks great. There's no need for this any more,
0:37:28 > 0:37:30so I'm going to take it down.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32And, first up, it's the kitchen.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34Here we go!
0:37:40 > 0:37:43- Lovely!- what was it like before? Remember?
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Well, we had a big trench there.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48There, there was a grey block wall, wasn't there?
0:37:48 > 0:37:51That the labourer built, and it wasn't even straight.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55So, now, they've finished the wall off, and plastered it all.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58Got the chrome lights, I really like chrome lights.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02Looks really good. It looks so much brighter as well, doesn't it?
0:38:02 > 0:38:04You've still got a bit of tiling, but do you know,
0:38:04 > 0:38:08one of the most important things, remember about the beam?
0:38:08 > 0:38:12- What was the problem? - Oh, yes, having the beam done.
0:38:13 > 0:38:18- Structurally, making the house not going to collapse, in time.- Exactly.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20That was the thing.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23This is the discovery that there is every possibility that
0:38:23 > 0:38:26the upstairs extension, the bedroom, could have just collapsed down.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29One of the things we really hated was the fact that,
0:38:29 > 0:38:34from a security point of view, the door was, there was a big opening.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36- You could put your arm through it. - You could.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39So, I'm really pleased to see the door and the frame in.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42- It's a magic door!- That's right!
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Everything's in.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Yeah, it's fantastic!
0:38:47 > 0:38:50For you now, is this a new beginning?
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Well, what I'll do now is get a nice kitchen table here
0:38:53 > 0:38:57and we'll be able to start functioning again
0:38:57 > 0:38:59as a family downstairs.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03Yeah, yeah, yeah. Now, do you remember the bath situation?
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- It was bucket bath time. - Joke. Absolute joke.- Indeed.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09This is why I want to show you now what the office area's like,
0:39:09 > 0:39:11because you wanted the office bit,
0:39:11 > 0:39:13you wanted an en suite area.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16- So, shall we have a look? - Go on, then.- Come on.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21Come and have a look.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24Look at this! Remember this, Honor?
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Do you remember that the builder was never capable
0:39:27 > 0:39:30of taking this wall down and supporting the staircase?
0:39:30 > 0:39:31Yes!
0:39:31 > 0:39:34Now, do you remember, Honor, looking at the electrics
0:39:34 > 0:39:37and everything else, the way that the floor had been put in?
0:39:37 > 0:39:41Tell us what you'll be using this for and how excited you are.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44This room is going to be for my college work.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47- I'm going to college, aren't I?- Yeah.
0:39:47 > 0:39:52So, it's a nice little area for you to come in, sort of concentrate, and do your work.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55But it's also a lovely little escape area, too.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59But of course, if you remember, we'd got huge holes all over the place.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01We had no windows.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04That's our fire exit window has now gone in, of course.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Now, the room, this was very cold, this room was.
0:40:07 > 0:40:12I mean, I was packing the holes up with tissue paper and plastic bags.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14Because, of course, we had to bath in here.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17There was gaps in the walls, so yes, I needed to pack it up.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20I don't know how you did it, actually.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23- Neither do I, to be honest. - I really do not know how you coped.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26I think I've aged this year and become more of an alcoholic!
0:40:26 > 0:40:27THEY LAUGH
0:40:27 > 0:40:33Well, let's hope we can stem the tide, we don't want you doing that!
0:40:33 > 0:40:37Now, do you remember what your mum had to do when you wanted a bath?
0:40:37 > 0:40:39What happened?
0:40:39 > 0:40:41A baby bath, then a tub.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44That's right. That's right.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Because of that situation, with bathing in a tub,
0:40:47 > 0:40:51I want to show you the en suite.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Come on, Honor, go and have a look in there.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Look at this!
0:40:55 > 0:40:58That's fantastic, isn't it?
0:40:58 > 0:41:02Obviously, in here, you've got the toilet, you've got the basin.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06I love the chrome towel rail as well. You've got the extraction fan.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10You've got what they call zone one lighting in here, above
0:41:10 > 0:41:13the shower, which means that it's water-resistant, moisture-resistant.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Look, Honor! We can go in there and get washed up
0:41:17 > 0:41:22and spruced up in about 10 minutes, instead of two hours!
0:41:22 > 0:41:24Yeah, it's just brilliant now.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27So, overall, now, how do you feel?
0:41:27 > 0:41:31I am really, really grateful to you, really I am,
0:41:31 > 0:41:35because I could never ever have done this myself.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39Are we going to have a group hug? We're going to have a group hug.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42- Aw, that's nice! - Thanks very much, Clive.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45It's a pleasure, it's a pleasure.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00I tell you what, that's a cracking job carried out by Ray and Paul.
0:42:00 > 0:42:01But it's not over yet.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03I've got all the evidence here in the evidence box
0:42:03 > 0:42:06to take to the nearest trading standards office
0:42:06 > 0:42:08and hope they'll pick it up from there.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11So, watch out, all you cowboy builders.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14If you've had a problem with builders
0:42:14 > 0:42:18and you'd like to tell your story on Cowboy Trap, then please call us:
0:42:31 > 0:42:33Help us round up the Cowboys.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd