0:00:07 > 0:00:08Welcome to Cowboy Trap
0:00:08 > 0:00:12and my tough quest to rid this land of dodgy builders
0:00:12 > 0:00:16and the stress that they cause to people who let them into their homes.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18It's destroyed me.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21It's punched me up and down, really up and down everywhere.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24You see, these builders don't care about you,
0:00:24 > 0:00:26your home or the work they carry out.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29In fact, the only thing they care about
0:00:29 > 0:00:31is getting their hands on your hard-earned cash.
0:00:31 > 0:00:36It invokes a lot of anger in me, but pure disgust as a human being
0:00:36 > 0:00:40that you can treat other people like that, and thinks he can get away with it.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Well, here we go again.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45I'm about to see some awful building work
0:00:45 > 0:00:48undertaken by cowboy builders once again,
0:00:48 > 0:00:50but I'm hoping to shed a little bit of light
0:00:50 > 0:00:54at the end of the tunnel for those who have been their victims.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58They sneakily pretend to be nice and then just run off.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03But listen up and take note, all you cowboy builders out there.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05We are fighting back.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08We're not in it on our own now. I think that's what we're thinking.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- Somebody's helping us. - Finally, someone's listening.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14I'm about to reveal some of the tricks and techniques
0:01:14 > 0:01:17you cowboy builders use on unsuspecting homeowners,
0:01:17 > 0:01:21and prevent others from falling into your trap.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Today, I'm in Whiston on Merseyside,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36where you're about to witness some real dodgy building work
0:01:36 > 0:01:39that not only stretched the homeowners' finances
0:01:39 > 0:01:42to breaking point, but their relationship too.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46I've been very concerned about our marriage.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48I thought it was the end.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Today, we're going to meet the Wood family.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Janet works as a student support officer
0:01:53 > 0:01:55and Andy works as a driving instructor,
0:01:55 > 0:02:00and they also have a 12-year-old son called Luke.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03Janet and Andy purchased their home some 13 years ago
0:02:03 > 0:02:07when they fell in love with its quiet location and lovely garden.
0:02:07 > 0:02:13As Luke grows up, they wanted to give him more space.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17The Woods' dream was to convert it from a two-bed into a three-bed home
0:02:17 > 0:02:21so that Luke could have a larger bedroom and dad Andy could have a study.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23Our dream home as we planned
0:02:23 > 0:02:27would've been to have a nice, open-plan living area
0:02:27 > 0:02:30at the back of the house to overlook the garden,
0:02:30 > 0:02:35it would be nice in the summer, have friends round, bit of entertaining,
0:02:35 > 0:02:39and a new bedroom for Luke because his old room's getting too small,
0:02:39 > 0:02:41just to make it a better quality of life for us.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46The extension was designed to make the living space more accommodating
0:02:46 > 0:02:49so that Andy could run his driving school business from a study
0:02:49 > 0:02:53rather than have all the paperwork out on the dining room table.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55It made total sense.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59Janet and Andy hired an architect to draw up the plans,
0:02:59 > 0:03:05and when he suggested a local builder, they thought they'd be in safe hands.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09We chose the builder because he was recommended the architect,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11so we thought we could trust him.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14We didn't think anything would go wrong.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19The Wood family wanted a two-storey extension at the back of their house.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22This would provide an extra room upstairs,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25and by removing an internal wall downstairs,
0:03:25 > 0:03:26it would also give them a large,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29open-plan kitchen-cum-dining and living space.
0:03:29 > 0:03:37The builder gave Janet and Andy a quote for a six-week job, costing...
0:03:37 > 0:03:40They handed over an initial payment of £7,500
0:03:40 > 0:03:43and agreed to pay the rest in instalments.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47The work got off to a flying start.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52- He started December, mid-December.- 2009, yes.
0:03:52 > 0:03:58- With this build at the back. - He got it done very quickly. Within a week...
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- Like a space rocket going off. - It was quick, fast.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03The steelwork was going and it was like, "domph."
0:04:03 > 0:04:06As Christmas approached, the work slowed,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09but despite making little progress,
0:04:09 > 0:04:12the builder still asked for more money,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14and unfortunately, the couple agreed.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18After more cash changed hands, work came to a complete stop,
0:04:18 > 0:04:20and the Woods began to realise
0:04:20 > 0:04:25that their dream family home was far from turning into a reality.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29When the builder didn't come back after the Christmas break when he said he'd seal up the house,
0:04:29 > 0:04:33that's when we started thinking, "Something's not right here."
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Janet and Andy had paid more than two thirds of the original quote,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42and the builder was nowhere to be seen.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45They were left with drainage and structural problems,
0:04:45 > 0:04:49not to mention a partially-built and leaky roof.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Financially, this was a huge project,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56so the Woods had to re-mortgage their home just to get work started,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59but their dream has been shattered.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01All they've been left with is an unfinished extension
0:05:01 > 0:05:04and a home they can barely live in.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09This cowboy conman hasn't just wreaked havoc in their home,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12he's damaged their relationship too.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15It's destroyed me.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17It's punched me up and down everywhere.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20It came to the stage where me and Janet
0:05:20 > 0:05:23had been fighting so much over petty things.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25It affects the whole family.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28As a relationship, you both stress in different ways.
0:05:28 > 0:05:29You take it out on each other.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33The distress and strain of this situation
0:05:33 > 0:05:35has been felt by all the family.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38I think it's affected Luke, but he's kept a lot back.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42He's not been able to play in the garden with his friends.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44It's been like a builders' yard.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46It's definitely affected him.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49And with seeing our relationship not being good,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51that's affected him as well.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56For two summers now, 12-year-old Luke has been stuck inside
0:05:56 > 0:06:00because the garden is in no fit state to play in.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02It's annoying getting up in the morning
0:06:02 > 0:06:05and just looking at an extension that is incompleted.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09It's very messy. The garden looks very scruffy.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15They've also missed out on quality family time together.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19Before we had this problem, Sunday used to be family day out.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22We would go out somewhere as a treat.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26Now my dad has to do bits on the house.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29He has to use his own time up on a Sunday to do the house,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32and that's the only day he gets to do it a week.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36The Wood family was left in chaos,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40and just heard excuse after excuse from the builder.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43'I want to meet them, to assess the state he's left them in
0:06:43 > 0:06:46'and find out how it all went wrong.'
0:06:46 > 0:06:52- Hello.- By my reckoning, it's got to be Andy and Janet.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54How are you? Are you all right?
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Take me in. Let's have a look.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- Come through. Come through. - Thank you very much.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00I'll wipe my big boots.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Don't worry about that. We'll clean up after.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07- This is all part of the original property?- This is the original.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11This is where the mess starts. It's from here.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14You can see that's been done, and out at the back.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18They've broken through the concrete lintel. You can see the gap.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- I can see.- He broke straight through there looking for the ceiling.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25Wow! That is unusual because now, that lintel has just been patched up.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29Over time, under weight bear, that'll start bearing down.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32What's with the leaflets? Is that in case you want something to read?
0:07:32 > 0:07:36That was to pad it out to keep us warm, I think.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- It was freezing. - Makeshift draft exclusion, OK.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43'With a little help from his friends,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45'Andy's carried out some essential remedial work,
0:07:45 > 0:07:49'putting on the roof and filling in holes around the house.'
0:07:50 > 0:07:56- Is this how the builder has left it? - We put the ceiling in.- OK.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58We put the roof on.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02I'm not 100% happy with the way that this return's been done.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06It's all been filled with offcuts of block.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08'Andy's dabbled with the electrics. Naughty!'
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- I put the actual plastic one in. - Yeah?
0:08:12 > 0:08:15There's some sort of web inside it.
0:08:15 > 0:08:21No, that's TRS. That's a protected, tough, rubber-sheathed cable.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- Which is good. Internally, fine. - Yeah.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29Externally, what's in the ground, cable-wise?
0:08:29 > 0:08:34That is actually tucked up against the fence, just below ground level.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36If you've put cable in like that,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39and someone comes along after you've sold the house,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42and they've got their fork or spade and they go straight through it
0:08:42 > 0:08:46and they get curly hair, they can come back to you for it.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51Desperate times can call for desperate measures. Take note.
0:08:56 > 0:08:57What's more...
0:09:13 > 0:09:17When your electrician comes in and finishes off,
0:09:17 > 0:09:22you can put a bit of steel wire on, terminate it off with a gland
0:09:22 > 0:09:25into a proper IP-rated outdoor socket,
0:09:25 > 0:09:27and I think that'd be better for you.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Obviously, you've got a qualified electrician that's coming in at the moment.
0:09:31 > 0:09:37- No. I've done all this. - Andy, stop! Stop!
0:09:37 > 0:09:43You can't do this, please. I'm asking you nicely. Don't do it.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46But I've had to do this, Clive.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51Listen, son, I know you have. What I'm saying to you is, don't do it any more.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55Electrician-wise, we'll get someone in to check it all over.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58We'll work it out, what we'll do from there.
0:09:58 > 0:10:04'Outside, through the gaping hole in their house, the problems continue.'
0:10:04 > 0:10:09- Just describe what you have had trouble with.- We had no roof on.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13It was just a wishy-washy, almost-constructed frame.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- Was all the framework in?- No. - So it was just an open void?- Yeah.
0:10:17 > 0:10:22'I've spotted another problem around the side of the house.'
0:10:22 > 0:10:29- That feeds what?- That's the sewer going back. It's combined.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Oh, dear. No. No, no, no.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40You've got a soil stack intersection there that's open.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43You're covering it with a bit of old conservatory roof.
0:10:43 > 0:10:48That's not good enough, because all the germs and bacteria in that
0:10:48 > 0:10:53are exposed into the soil, into all these pipes that are around.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55The intersection needs to be capped off.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00So that you're stopping any potential germs coming out.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03They're all over the place at the moment.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08- That's been like that for over 12 months.- Shut that again.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11That is awful. That is real dire.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16The Woods have a young son, Luke, who uses this garden,
0:11:16 > 0:11:20which makes this germ-ridden hazard even more dangerous.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25These careless cowboy bodge jobs horrify me,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28and I'm going to tell you why.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31We had the inspection chamber that was just sitting on the land
0:11:31 > 0:11:34outside their new extension. That was just no good.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Where the extension had happened, underneath,
0:11:37 > 0:11:41that was a combined sewer, which had foul water and top water.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44So that was the waste from the toilet going into it
0:11:44 > 0:11:45and all the rainwater as well.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50This was put in by the so-called builder, but left on the surface.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53I think there was about that much showing, and no top lid.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58Going into this, he had the toilets, sink, washing machine, dishwasher,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01and he also had the rainwater going in here, too.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04The problem is with no lid on it, imagine this,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07we're in Great Britain, whoosh, down comes the rain.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Someone's using the toilet, maybe the washing machine,
0:12:10 > 0:12:11the dishwasher's on.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16Once that all gets flooded, and we're talking raw sewage in there.
0:12:16 > 0:12:17The moment that happens,
0:12:17 > 0:12:20the sewage is going to come up and over the top, on to the land,
0:12:20 > 0:12:22right next to the house.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25That's going to cause vermin to be attracted,
0:12:25 > 0:12:26lots of bacteria there as well.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30And to be fair, the thing was, for me personally,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33that was an area of complete danger in terms of the germs
0:12:33 > 0:12:37that they could have contracted by just being around this open area.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39It needed a lid on. It needed seating properly.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41But I don't think the builder had a clue.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46'Back at the house, the Wood family wanted the extension
0:12:46 > 0:12:50'to provide an extra room and create more space for their son, Luke.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54'But over a year later, he's still not reaping the benefit.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58You've done lots of remedial work simply because you've had to.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02We've had to seal it up and make it watertight because there was nothing here,
0:13:02 > 0:13:04just half the roof hanging off.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Luke's still stuck in his old bedroom,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08which is even worse than it was.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13Gaps between the new extension wall, the new roof and his old window
0:13:13 > 0:13:16left water leaking into his room.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21So this is our son's room, what he's been sleeping in for ages.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- Get a take on this!- With this.
0:13:23 > 0:13:24Right.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29'Andy has had to replace the window, seal the roof and fill the holes
0:13:29 > 0:13:32'to prevent any further damage.'
0:13:32 > 0:13:35When they built the upstairs part of the blockwork here,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38they left that window in,
0:13:38 > 0:13:40pulled the blockwork all the way up to the window itself.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43You see, that's also caused you grief, damp-wise.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- Water ran through here. - Unbelievable! - It ran into the property.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50'I can't believe that Janet and Andy have had to live
0:13:50 > 0:13:53'in this virtual building site for over a year.'
0:13:54 > 0:13:58So you can tell this place is a total disgrace.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01It's a real shambles, and it's impinged on family life
0:14:01 > 0:14:04and just general living in the property.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06I can see their dream, but I can also see the damage.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09I mean, just take a look at this.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12This lintel, huge as it is, it's ma-hoosive,
0:14:12 > 0:14:15but they've gone straight through it, therefore weakened it.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20The one beauty is now that the steel is in, you feel far safer.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25I mean, I'm not going to go through every defect.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27We've been through it with the family, but, I mean,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29if you look around in general,
0:14:29 > 0:14:33you can just tell it's a poor build, full stop.
0:14:33 > 0:14:34This concrete pad,
0:14:34 > 0:14:38it's up and all over the place.
0:14:38 > 0:14:39As they've tamped it down,
0:14:39 > 0:14:43they've just got no decent level on it whatsoever.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47I'm really shocked at how anyone could leave a family in such a mess.
0:14:47 > 0:14:52Just to recap - generally dodgy construction for one,
0:14:52 > 0:14:56and then you've got problems with the open to the elements aspect,
0:14:56 > 0:14:58of all the rain coming in. That's two.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03And three, and I think worst of all, is that open sewerage.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06That's raw sewage passing through there,
0:15:06 > 0:15:11and the dangers for health and safety are apparent for all to see.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14My aim is to get the Woods back on track,
0:15:14 > 0:15:16and I really hope I can do that.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Later, I'll be calling in an independent chartered builder
0:15:23 > 0:15:25to hear her verdict on the quality of this work.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29Problem with that is water comes in, is soaked up by these porous blocks.
0:15:29 > 0:15:34It'll travel through this insulation and come out this side, which is going to cause us damp.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38And there's another twist to Janet and Andy's shocking story.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41You didn't see him after that?
0:15:41 > 0:15:42Oh, we didn't see him after that.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44- Oh, no!- Yep.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Janet and Andy's dream was to give their son Luke
0:15:50 > 0:15:53some extra space by extending their home.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Removing an internal wall would also give them
0:15:56 > 0:15:58an open-plan area to entertain.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03They handed over £23,500 to their heartless builder,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05who left them with dodgy drainage,
0:16:05 > 0:16:08and an unliveable, incomplete extension.
0:16:08 > 0:16:09Andy did some remedial work,
0:16:09 > 0:16:13but it's vital they get those electrics fixed, and fast!
0:16:13 > 0:16:16They must get the downstairs area watertight,
0:16:16 > 0:16:18and Luke's room needs attention too.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23But first, I want to find out how they ended up in this pickle.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29- Did the architect have any connection with the builder? - Not known to us.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31He recommended him.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- Ah-h-h!- Later.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36We got other builders to come in to have a look and give us quotes.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- They were way over.- And they were... - Significantly over.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40..significantly over.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44- OK.- As in 15,000.- And then we said, "Well, we've done this drawing here,
0:16:44 > 0:16:47"you told us we could bring it in for budget from where we borrowed."
0:16:47 > 0:16:51He said, "I know someone that could do it for it. I recommend this guy."
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- So the guys turned up. - Bang on budget.- Bang on budget.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56He spent two minutes in his van...
0:16:56 > 0:16:58How strange! Bang on budget.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Bang on. Exactly!
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Because they'd had a chinwag to themselves,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05and the builder's thinking, "I'll cut a few corners here,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09"there and everywhere, and I'll make sure that I still make myself
0:17:09 > 0:17:13"a handsome profit, but we're going to take the maximum out of it."
0:17:13 > 0:17:18This should've been the first warning sign, so listen up.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Sadly, Janet and Andy had put their faith in their architect,
0:17:32 > 0:17:35and so they trusted his recommendation.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40So everything's hunky-dory again. You've breathed a sigh of relief.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- When's the next alarm bell? - The guy turned round and said,
0:17:43 > 0:17:45"Look, I want to see that you're in for Christmas."
0:17:45 > 0:17:47And we went, "Ooh, nice."
0:17:47 > 0:17:50He said, "However, because I'm going to take the lads in
0:17:50 > 0:17:53"and really get stuck into the job, I want another payment."
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- To move it on quick. - To move it on quick.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01The builder promised to get their home watertight for Christmas
0:18:01 > 0:18:05as an incentive to get more money from Janet and Andy.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07So here's another tip -
0:18:12 > 0:18:16The extra pressure of having your house ready for weddings, Christmas
0:18:16 > 0:18:18or family visits can encourage rash decisions
0:18:18 > 0:18:21as the deadline approaches.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Despite the slow progress,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Janet and Andy were too busy thinking about jingle bells
0:18:26 > 0:18:29when they should've been hearing alarm bells.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Especially when their builder asked for more cash.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35We were thinking, "Hang on, this guy's taken a few bob here.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37"He's taken some."
0:18:37 > 0:18:40And we turned round and said, "We can't get that money in one go."
0:18:40 > 0:18:44He said, "Well, draw us out £6,250 on the Friday,
0:18:44 > 0:18:45"I'll come back Monday morning."
0:18:45 > 0:18:48"Draw it out?" "Draw it out?" What? Not in pound notes?
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- At a building society, yeah. - Oh, yeah, in cash!
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Oh, no, no, no! Not in cash!
0:18:53 > 0:18:55So you're tootling off to the building society,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59you're handing him over cash, and so that's what you did, another 6,500?
0:18:59 > 0:19:01That's what we did, unfortunately.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04On the Friday, and £6,250 again on the Monday.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10This shameless scoundrel asked for £12,500,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13and once the Woods had handed over the cash,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15they were in for a nasty shock.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19It was literally a case of, "The guys are on their way, where's the rest of the money?"
0:19:19 > 0:19:23Took it, and the guys never turned up.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Somebody walked away with our money in one clean swoop
0:19:26 > 0:19:28- just before Christmas. - Hang on a minute, whoa!
0:19:28 > 0:19:30You didn't see him after that?
0:19:30 > 0:19:32Oh, we didn't see him after that.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- Oh, no!- Yep.
0:19:34 > 0:19:39Worse still, he then disappeared for three whole months.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42When he finally dared to show his face again,
0:19:42 > 0:19:46this conniving cowboy had one last trick up his sleeve.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50He made a big apology to us, didn't he? He said, "Your money's gone.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54"However, we're going to raise the monies through remortgaging
0:19:54 > 0:19:56"a family home."
0:19:56 > 0:20:00Cos we were so far in, he said, "Give me a bit more money to get the lads back on-site
0:20:00 > 0:20:01"and get it running again."
0:20:01 > 0:20:04He wanted more money?
0:20:05 > 0:20:06And you said?
0:20:07 > 0:20:09And we did it.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10You gave him more money?
0:20:10 > 0:20:12- Mm-hmm.- Not a lot.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13How much?
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- Two?- Three and a half. - Oh, three, wasn't it?
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Wow!
0:20:18 > 0:20:21He knew you were a soft touch, I'm telling you now.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28All in all, the family had shelled out £23,500 to their brazen builder.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Now I've seen and heard the full extent
0:20:31 > 0:20:33of the Woods' house of horrors,
0:20:33 > 0:20:36I need to find out how we can help.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43What could we do that would bring you a bit more brightness?
0:20:43 > 0:20:45What could we do for you?
0:20:45 > 0:20:49The main part, well, for me, anyway, is down here.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Because you can't use it or anything like that.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55It's still not even sealed up to the elements, you know?
0:20:55 > 0:20:57It's still a shell, isn't it?
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- We'll be grateful for anything. - Anything, yeah.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03I know that! I can tell!
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Before I call in our team of builders,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12I want to get some expert advice from independent chartered builder
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Chrissi McCarthy.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- Hi, Clive!- How are you, Chrissi? Good to see you again.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28- Good to see you again. Are you well?- Well, I'm OK.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32I'm never happy, though, when we come into situations like this
0:21:32 > 0:21:35where cowboy builders have laid their prints.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37You've had a good chance to have a look around.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40A couple of things you've picked out that you're not happy with?
0:21:40 > 0:21:44Let's see what we've got. In here, we see where...
0:21:44 > 0:21:46One, we should really have an air gap.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48In a cavity, we usually have 50mm insulation.
0:21:48 > 0:21:5050mm air gap, 100mm cavity.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Here, the cavity fills the whole span.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54The problem with that is water comes in,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57gets soaked up by these lovely porous blocks.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00It'll travel through this insulation and come out this side,
0:22:00 > 0:22:01which is going to cause us damp.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04But secondly, as well, we've got our slots here
0:22:04 > 0:22:07which is basically the mortar that falls inside the cavity.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- Yeah, bridging.- Exactly.- Horrible.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14So, one for cold, two, also again for the damp. It gives water a nice easy route to get into the building.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Anything else that's jumped out at you?
0:22:17 > 0:22:20We've got drainage over there. I'm worried about the levels of it.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23There appears to be a bit of a backflow, but I can't quite establish,
0:22:23 > 0:22:26because it's been a while since the works have gone on,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29whether that's happened as it's been left for a while,
0:22:29 > 0:22:33and it's crept down, or whether, you know, they put the drainage in originally with a backflow.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37But also, it's a foul drain and they've left that open.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40And I don't have to explain to anyone why it's not a nice thing
0:22:40 > 0:22:44- to have an open foul drain.- The bacteria, germs, everything else.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46So what we're saying is it's pretty bad.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Now, this is the crucial bit for me.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Chrissi, what is your mark out of ten
0:22:50 > 0:22:52for the work these guys have carried out?
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Here, I'd go zero or minus,
0:22:54 > 0:22:58because I think a lot of work they've done is actually damaging to the property,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01and it's just nowhere near any sort of standard.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03So you've got to make the decision, is it zero or minus?
0:23:03 > 0:23:05I'll go with minus a half.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Minus a half! Well, it's still below zero! Chrissi, brilliant.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- Thanks very much. - Pleasure always, Clive. Take care!
0:23:12 > 0:23:14So, X marks the spot.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17I think it's time to bring on the good guys!
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Head builder Paul and I need to come up with a plan of action
0:23:22 > 0:23:25to put the Wood family back on the right track.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28And a less smelly one at that!
0:23:29 > 0:23:31How are you, Paul? I'm not going to shake your hand now!
0:23:31 > 0:23:35- No, you're all right, mate! - Not after digging in there! - Different hand, mate!
0:23:35 > 0:23:37You ever seen owt like that before?
0:23:37 > 0:23:40No, no, and to be honest with you,
0:23:40 > 0:23:44I was just a bit concerned that it's been left in that state for so long.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49Plus, I'm a bit concerned about all this top-water.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51It's coming back against the flow, you see.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55If you do get a heavy downpour, and that gushing into there,
0:23:55 > 0:23:59and you do flush the toilet, you're going to get a big surge...
0:23:59 > 0:24:01- Kickback.- ..in there, yeah. - You are.- Exactly.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05But can you believe this? This is from the washing machine, right?
0:24:05 > 0:24:10Now, it's been cut back, but this has just been pouring out
0:24:10 > 0:24:13onto the topsoil and just washing it away!
0:24:13 > 0:24:14Yeah, yeah.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16It's just a complete health trap, really.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19I'd love you to be able to address this problem.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Yeah, we can sort that out, y'know?
0:24:21 > 0:24:23What is your remedial action on this?
0:24:23 > 0:24:28Well, first of all, we're going to get this manhole capped off
0:24:28 > 0:24:30and up and running.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Maybe realign those topwaters there
0:24:33 > 0:24:36to pick up further down the line on the other side of the building.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- So you won't get that potential kickback?- No, no.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43Let's have a look at what we can do as regards the extension aspect.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45- Yeah, yeah, no problem.- Let's go.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52Just talk to us about what's got to crack off in here.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54We're going to put new doors in here.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56- Yeah.- Erm, plaster it out.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Again, check the electrics and make sure everything's fine.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Insulate there.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06Remove those doors there and obviously make that through to a...
0:25:06 > 0:25:08- Neaten that off, tidy it. - Tidy it all up, yeah.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13'Upstairs, the priority's getting Luke into his new room.'
0:25:13 > 0:25:16OK, Paul, what's going to happen in Luke's room?
0:25:16 > 0:25:18This is potentially going to be his new bedroom.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21We're going to re-address a few issues with the electrics.
0:25:21 > 0:25:28Mainly just little issues like no grommets in the back boxes and things like that.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Obviously a full set of tests in due course.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35And apart from all the obvious problems with the windows
0:25:35 > 0:25:38and obviously all the finish and the plasterwork
0:25:38 > 0:25:42and the skirts and that, you know,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45and obviously we'll get smoke alarms and get them back in here quick.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Yeah, that would be really good. Absolutely fab if we can do that.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52When checking over Andy's remedial works,
0:25:52 > 0:25:54Paul's discovered another problem.
0:25:54 > 0:25:59The electrical system is outdated and potentially dangerous.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01That can't be the only fuse board.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05It is. It's a re-wireable one, and probably about 12, 13...
0:26:05 > 0:26:07I reckon it's earlier than that.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10It is a good while since that's been anywhere near looked at.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15Look at the size of the tails and everything on it. No, no, no.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Wow, that was on Noah's boat, that was. That needs addressing.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Look at the state of that. We're going to put a nice new fuse board in there.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25- Yeah, yeah. Sort that out. OK.- Great.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28So where do I begin?
0:26:28 > 0:26:31The main thing is we're going to sort out all the major problems.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33We're going to sort out the drainage system,
0:26:33 > 0:26:37the electrics, we're going to take that wall down in the kitchen,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40put those doors in the opening of the extension
0:26:40 > 0:26:42so it makes it nice and watertight.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46We're going to plaster those walls, plaster board up downstairs as well
0:26:46 > 0:26:49and make sure everything is spot-on and safe.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Coming up, Andy demands answers from his builder.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59I'd like to know what you've got to say. There's questions I want to ask you.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02And I can't wait to show the Wood family what happens
0:27:02 > 0:27:04when you put the right people on the job.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07That is amazing, Clive. Ah, it's brilliant.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12In Whiston, Merseyside,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Janet and Andy Wood fell into the cowboy trap
0:27:15 > 0:27:20when they employed a builder to extend their home so their son could have a bigger room.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25After taking over 23 grand, this swindling scoundrel scarpered,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28leaving the family with an unfinished structure,
0:27:28 > 0:27:30a leaking roof and drainage issues.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Head builder Paul and his guys are doing their utmost
0:27:37 > 0:27:41to turn Janet and Andy's dream of a wondrous and watertight home back into reality.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45The family have learned a harsh lesson
0:27:45 > 0:27:48and will be more wary of potential cowboys in future.
0:27:48 > 0:27:53Definitely we've learned quite a lot. Don't trust people at face value.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57Even from a recommendation. We should've checked things out.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01In hindsight, I wish we'd checked out background information
0:28:01 > 0:28:04on both the builder, the architect, other things that were going on.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09But it just makes you sit back and think, when you see other people going through this,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11you don't think it's going to happen to you, but it can do.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14There's a long list of jobs to fix,
0:28:14 > 0:28:18but our guys have made excellent progress.
0:28:19 > 0:28:24So far, we've put the lateral restraints on the floor joists there.
0:28:24 > 0:28:31We've extended the floor joists to carry the ceiling beams over there.
0:28:31 > 0:28:36We've started boarding all this out in anticipation of the doors coming.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38We've still got the electrics to do,
0:28:38 > 0:28:43but obviously, you know, Rome wasn't built in a day.
0:28:43 > 0:28:47It's not only electrical safety that's important.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52Luke's new bedroom has other potential hazards that need fixing fast.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54The glass is due on site any time.
0:28:54 > 0:28:59So as soon as that's done, that glass can be changed to safety glass
0:28:59 > 0:29:02with the restrictor on, and that's fine.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04One of the main priorities
0:29:04 > 0:29:09was securing the joists between the old and new parts of the house.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12This is the top view of the girder,
0:29:12 > 0:29:17and that is the girder, and you can see where the two ends of the joists meet,
0:29:17 > 0:29:20and we're supporting it with that steel girder that's in the floor,
0:29:20 > 0:29:23and obviously that's the top of it there.
0:29:23 > 0:29:28Paul's going to be busy, but he's got the right team on the job,
0:29:28 > 0:29:31and homeowner Andy is already dreaming
0:29:31 > 0:29:33of making the most of the new space.
0:29:33 > 0:29:39What we're looking for is to be living, rather than this room we're in at the moment...
0:29:39 > 0:29:43is being able to go and spend our time in the evenings
0:29:43 > 0:29:47and the weekends in the back of the garden, do the garden up,
0:29:47 > 0:29:51and just sit there and chill out and enjoy our place.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- Bring on a good summer. - HE LAUGHS
0:29:54 > 0:29:58Luke's convinced that finally getting the work done
0:29:58 > 0:30:00will be a real boost for his parents.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05They're going to feel a lot better and relax more,
0:30:05 > 0:30:07we'll have our Sunday back again
0:30:07 > 0:30:10and my friends can go in the garden and see the new extension.
0:30:10 > 0:30:15While our top team of builders crack on with the job,
0:30:15 > 0:30:19I want to help Janet and Andy to try and get some answers to those questions
0:30:19 > 0:30:22that have been running through their minds
0:30:22 > 0:30:24for the last 18 months.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27If you had an opportunity to speak to him right now,
0:30:27 > 0:30:33if you could think of two or three major questions, what would they be?
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Why he's took the money off us and not completed the build.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39Why he's left us in such a mess.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42If those were questions that you could pitch to him now on the phone,
0:30:42 > 0:30:45cos I'm going to give you that opportunity.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49- Please.- Would you feel up to making that call?
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- There's every possibility it's... - Bring it on.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55- You feel OK about that?- Yeah.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57- Are we ready?- Count to ten.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00- VOICEMAIL:- '..after the tone.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02'When you've left your message, just hang up,
0:31:02 > 0:31:04'or for more options, press one at any time.'
0:31:04 > 0:31:07- BEEP - Andy Wood in Whiston.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10I believe you've got some form of right to reply,
0:31:10 > 0:31:14and I'd like to hear your answers, please, so if you can contact us,
0:31:14 > 0:31:18I'd like to know what you've got to say, there's questions I want to ask you.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22How do you feel now? It's difficult, just leaving him a message.
0:31:22 > 0:31:23Do you think he'll get back to us?
0:31:23 > 0:31:25No.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28We later made contact with the builder,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31who claimed that ill health and unforeseen circumstances
0:31:31 > 0:31:33prevented him from completing the job.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36I know what the opinion of your mum and dad is
0:31:36 > 0:31:39about the cowboy builder. How do you feel about him?
0:31:39 > 0:31:41He's sneaky.
0:31:41 > 0:31:46Very sneaky, and he pretends to be nice and then just runs off.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49He pretends to be nice and gives you a good offer
0:31:49 > 0:31:51and then he just runs off.
0:31:51 > 0:31:52Once he's taken the money.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Once he's taken the money, so he goes from good to bad.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59Trading Standards are on to Janet and Andy's case,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02so hopefully this shameful builder will think twice
0:32:02 > 0:32:06before he tries to scam another unsuspecting family.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09As for the architect who recommended him,
0:32:09 > 0:32:11the Woods haven't heard from him since.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19Now, then, head builder Paul and his guys are almost finished.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22'So it's time for me to check out their good work.'
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Wow! Straight away, first of all, the rubbish has gone.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28It was all over the place.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Now, of course, we've got some flagstone paving as well,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34so easy access down the side of the house.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38Most importantly, remember before we had that open manhole
0:32:38 > 0:32:40with germs and bacteria coming out of it?
0:32:40 > 0:32:43This has all now been finished off beautifully.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47Just looking at it now, it's chalk and cheese. It's amazing.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50Brilliant. Let's go and have a look inside.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53'But the real wow factor is inside.'
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Wow. Straight away, what a difference.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00All boarded out, all plastered up,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03and this is what you call a plaster finish.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06That's beautiful. Great.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09We've got skirtings on, sockets are on now as well.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12These have been changed now.
0:33:12 > 0:33:16The actual units, the glass units, are now safety glass, which is really important,
0:33:16 > 0:33:18especially in a kid's room, or in anyone's room.
0:33:18 > 0:33:23Here we've got the safety catch as well, which is brilliant, too.
0:33:23 > 0:33:28When we need to get out in case of emergency,
0:33:28 > 0:33:30we can open that really quite wide.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34This is the important thing, If you've got a child in here,
0:33:34 > 0:33:35watch when I shut the window now
0:33:35 > 0:33:40and when open it again, they can't go any further than that.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43Safety in mind, perfect. Loving it.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46OK, let's go downstairs.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50'Downstairs is going to be the biggest transformation for Janet.'
0:33:52 > 0:33:57Oh, wow. What a difference! Can't believe it.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01Remember before, we had a wall here and a bit of a serving hatch thing going on?
0:34:01 > 0:34:04That's all been opened out now, into the dining area,
0:34:04 > 0:34:08that was all exposed, all the brickwork, everything looked a mess,
0:34:08 > 0:34:13now, it just looks, just totally different.
0:34:13 > 0:34:18- HE LAUGHS - Night and day. Absolute night and day. No mistake.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21Remember, all this whole area here was open to the elements.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25These are the stars of the show without a shadow of a doubt.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27We've got ourselves the quad-fold doors they dreamed of.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30And the versatility, look at this.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33You don't have to open the whole thing.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35You can actually just open the one door,
0:34:35 > 0:34:39or if you wanted to, just by moving these clips, you can open two doors.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43If you want the whole lot to slide back, you've got this arm here,
0:34:43 > 0:34:47and that's exactly what they do, just push on that, they glide along,
0:34:47 > 0:34:49the mechanism is really beautiful.
0:34:49 > 0:34:54Once that slides back, this brings the outside in, it is so beautiful.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58I mean, the view, fantastic.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02The exterior still needs rendering to make it fully watertight,
0:35:02 > 0:35:06but we've got the family well on the way to getting their life back on track.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10I can't wait to show Janet, Andy and Luke their newly revamped home,
0:35:10 > 0:35:15but first, I need to check if Paul's nearly done and dusted.
0:35:15 > 0:35:20- Finishing touches, Paul? - Yeah, Clive.- How are you, son? Good to see you again.
0:35:20 > 0:35:25I tell you what, what a difference compared to when we were first here.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28- It's amazing, isn't it? - There's a vast difference now.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31A lot safer and a lot healthier too, Clive.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35We've took about three and a half skips of rubbish from here,
0:35:35 > 0:35:37and we've got probably a vanload to go yet.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Talk us through what you've done.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42Take us right from the top first of all, if you would.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44We completely plastered it.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47We replaced the glass for safety glass.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Just generally finished it with some skirt and arc.
0:35:52 > 0:35:57The outdated electrical system along with Andy's remedial work
0:35:57 > 0:36:01meant this property was extremely dangerous.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03The fuse board, tell us about that.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06We had to upgrade the consumer unit.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08In the process of doing that,
0:36:08 > 0:36:12we found none of the house had been bonded back to the fuse board.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Neither the gas nor the electric.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18- We'd got no earth bonding in the property at all?- None whatsoever.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23Earth bonding protects you from electric shocks
0:36:23 > 0:36:26by providing an alternative conductor to pass through.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29It forces the circuit breaker or fuse to switch off
0:36:29 > 0:36:31and cut the electrical current.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35Without this, there could be deadly consequences.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39Unsafe electrical installations cause more than 12,000 fires
0:36:39 > 0:36:42in homes each year, so take my advice...
0:36:55 > 0:37:00It tests the electrics in your home and safeguards your family's safety.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04Paul's qualified electrician has carried out a thorough check
0:37:04 > 0:37:11and fixed any faults he's found so that the Wood family will be safe.
0:37:11 > 0:37:12Coming through here,
0:37:12 > 0:37:16major surgery in the dining area there, for the dining-kitchen area.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20- Tell us you did there. - We knocked the walls out and installed an RSJ.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22- OK.- Then we just studded it all out
0:37:22 > 0:37:25and re-plastered everything that was in there.
0:37:25 > 0:37:30And then the real business end, I mean, quad-folders, nice doors.
0:37:30 > 0:37:36- That's really what they wanted. - Those are. Such effortlessly to glide across.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39Fantastic. Talking about the drainage,
0:37:39 > 0:37:41you've done things that we now can't see,
0:37:41 > 0:37:46but of course where the open sewage was, that's all been dealt with now.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50The manhole was re-aligned, then we just capped it off.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54I tell you what, mate, all they need to do is get paint brushes out
0:37:54 > 0:37:58and things like that, decorating to do and finishing off themselves.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01The majority has been cracked and I think it's been a cracking job.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03As ever, Paul, brilliant, mate.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07- Thanks very much, I'll let you carry on finishing off.- Pleasure, Clive.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11While Paul sorts the last couple of bits left inside,
0:38:11 > 0:38:15it's time to get the family back to see the terrific transformation
0:38:15 > 0:38:17that's occurred outside.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20Hey! How are you?
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- Hello!- Good to see you, Andy. - And yourself.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27- Straight away, Luke's focusing... - I know, me too.- Exactly.
0:38:27 > 0:38:32- I tell you what, shall we go and take a closer look?- Oh, yes, please.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36- Come on, let's go and have a look. - Wow, what a difference.- Amazing.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39That was horrendous before. That looks brilliant now.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42- It was all sealed off, so now... - Now it's safe, isn't it?
0:38:42 > 0:38:44- It's safe, it looks a whole heap better.- Yes.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48- So, we're happy so far with what we've seen?- Oh, much better.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51What I want to do now is to go inside
0:38:51 > 0:38:55and have a look quickly in Luke's room, if that's OK.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Looking forward to that, Luke?
0:38:57 > 0:39:00In fact, you stay close to me, let's go and have a look.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Let's go and see what's happening.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Wow.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11Oh, that's great, isn't it? How much better does that look now?
0:39:11 > 0:39:16- ANDY APPLAUDS - Fantastic. I'll applaud with you, Andy. I'll applaud with you.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18You'll be sleeping here soon, won't you?
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Just coming over to the window for a second, Luke, cos this is important.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25- We didn't have safety glass in here. - That's right.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Now, you'll see the kite mark down there,
0:39:28 > 0:39:30it's now safety glass units have been put in,
0:39:30 > 0:39:35but more importantly, you've got this security, look.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39When you open that window now, it only will push that far out.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43- Oh, that's good. - He's not going to fall out. - You won't end up in the pond.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47- Shall we head on back down?- Yes. - Lead the way again, then, Luke.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49Go on, you guys.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53(OK, come through.)
0:39:55 > 0:40:00God. Different, isn't it? Flipping 'eck.
0:40:00 > 0:40:06- So obviously now, the kitchen nice and open.- We've got the space now.
0:40:06 > 0:40:07It's much, much better. It's great.
0:40:07 > 0:40:12- You're happy so far with what you've seen?- Much better. Great, yes.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17Before we go into the extension, briefly tell me what it was like.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20- Gravelly mess. Dull, dreary.- Dusty.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23- Open to the elements? - Open to the elements.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26Boarded up at the back as well.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29OK, guys, let's come up to this area here.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32It's all been sealed off, and this is where you and I
0:40:32 > 0:40:34are going to have a bit of fun in a minute.
0:40:34 > 0:40:40- So, are you suitably excited? - Yes.- Yes?
0:40:40 > 0:40:44So you and I are going to pull this back.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48So if you grab that ready to pull back, I'm going to take the top bit,
0:40:48 > 0:40:52you pull back, you can say "three, two, one" and we'll go for it.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Three, two, one, and...
0:40:54 > 0:40:57- Wow.- Look at that! - Look at that!
0:40:57 > 0:41:01APPLAUSE Oh, great. Wow. The difference with that.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04- How fantastic is that? - It's like a different place. We're living in the garden,
0:41:04 > 0:41:09- but we're secure in the garden. - How are you feeling, Andy?
0:41:09 > 0:41:12- Shock, I think. - Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15- If it's summer and it's boiling hot, you can just open the doors. - Brilliant.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17You could have your breakfast in here.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21- With the doors open. - Yes, and just chill.- Oh, wow.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23Let me just show you how these doors work.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26So if you want to, you can have just one open, right?
0:41:26 > 0:41:31Or of course you can have the two doors, like that,
0:41:31 > 0:41:33but here's the real big deal.
0:41:33 > 0:41:38This handle here, if you just turn it halfway and push...
0:41:38 > 0:41:44- then look at this. - Yes. That is brilliant, isn't it? How good is that, Luke?- Wow.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47I think he's going to give you a mega high-five now.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50A mega high-ten! That's what we want.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53Come in, Margaret and Pat, have a look at this.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56'Luke's nans have both come to take a peek at this radical revamp.'
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- Huge.- It's massive.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01So it's a big thumbs up?
0:42:01 > 0:42:05- Yay!- Big thumbs up.- Definitely.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07More than a year later than planned,
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Luke is finally looking forward to moving into his new room.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13I love my new room. It's amazing.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16It's not that much bigger than the other one,
0:42:16 > 0:42:17but it's a different shape
0:42:17 > 0:42:19and you can get much more in it,
0:42:19 > 0:42:21set the speakers up in the corner of the room
0:42:21 > 0:42:25and have a computer desk, maybe, in this sort of area here.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28- It's going to be wonderful for him.- Yes.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Aye. You can see him smiling, can't you?
0:42:30 > 0:42:34When I invite my friends, I think they'll be amazed.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37So, yeah, it will be a surprise for them,
0:42:37 > 0:42:39cos the last time one of my mates came was a while ago.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45I've put together all the evidence we've gathered on the Woods' builder
0:42:45 > 0:42:48and I'm going to pass it on to the local Trading Standards office.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51He may think he's got away with it, but I've got news for him
0:42:51 > 0:42:56and all cowboy builders out there, we are hot on your trail.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59If you've had a problem with builders
0:42:59 > 0:43:03and would like to tell your story on Cowboy Trap, please call us...
0:43:10 > 0:43:12Or you can send us an e-mail...
0:43:16 > 0:43:18Help us round up the cowboys.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd