0:00:07 > 0:00:12Once again, I'm back on the road, hot on the heels of those cowboy builders
0:00:12 > 0:00:17who break people's hearts and dreams with dodgy building and broken promises.
0:00:17 > 0:00:23My kids came screaming out of the bedrooms, "Mummy, mummy, are we going to die?" They were really upset.
0:00:23 > 0:00:29After all the years of working on Cowboy Trap, I'm still amazed at the arrogance of these cowboy builders.
0:00:29 > 0:00:35I've seen some real bodges and dodgy building work really makes people's lives a misery,
0:00:35 > 0:00:38not to mention in cases life-threatening too.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42This was the last straw. It's the second time he's nearly killed us.
0:00:42 > 0:00:48Today, I hope to help an unfortunate family who could have been killed by the work of a cowboy builder
0:00:48 > 0:00:51and who felt they had no-one to turn to for help.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56It's like living in a nightmare with no light at the end of the tunnel.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Along the way, I'll give you loads of hints and tips
0:00:59 > 0:01:03that hopefully will help prevent you from falling into the cowboy trap.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Today, I'm 30 miles north of London
0:01:16 > 0:01:19in the county of Bedfordshire
0:01:19 > 0:01:22in a town called Luton that's famous for car production
0:01:22 > 0:01:27and hat-making, hence the reason the local football team are called The Hatters.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32Luton is on the up and boasts a diverse ethnic mix,
0:01:32 > 0:01:36including a thriving Asian population in the north-west of the area
0:01:36 > 0:01:40where Farhana and Mudassar Shah live with their four children.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Everybody seems to get along with each other
0:01:43 > 0:01:46and I feel comfortable in Luton.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49The couple met 16 years ago in Pakistan
0:01:49 > 0:01:54when Farhana went with her family in search of the perfect partner.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58We had an arranged marriage. Various suitors came to meet me
0:01:58 > 0:02:01and when he came over, our eyes kind of like just met.
0:02:01 > 0:02:07That was on the Friday and on the Monday, we got married, so it was all very sudden.
0:02:07 > 0:02:14The couple settled back in Luton where Farhana was working as a local government officer
0:02:14 > 0:02:18and Mudassar took up a position as a supervisor in a cash and carry.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23All they needed was their dream home and in 2007, they spotted it -
0:02:23 > 0:02:26a three-bedroomed terrace with a bathroom,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30a galley kitchen and an open-plan living-dining area
0:02:30 > 0:02:32and their cherished back garden.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36This was the second house we saw. My husband fell in love with it.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39It seemed the ideal place for their growing family -
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Zara, Jamal,
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Elena
0:02:43 > 0:02:47and their youngest, Haris, who's just five years old.
0:02:47 > 0:02:53But there was only one toilet and shower and when you consider that there's six of them in the house,
0:02:53 > 0:02:58it became a real juggling act every morning when they were going off to school and to work.
0:03:02 > 0:03:08I have to time it. The eldest one goes in first, then the second eldest, then the third,
0:03:08 > 0:03:10then the baby goes in last.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13It's a nightmare. We're on top of each other.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18I said to my husband, "We need to maybe think about a second bathroom."
0:03:18 > 0:03:23After two years of saving up the pounds, they had managed to bank eight grand.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27With the kids growing fast and Farhana growing out of patience,
0:03:27 > 0:03:34they had a two-square-metre extension built on the back, so they got that much needed shower room.
0:03:34 > 0:03:40After getting three quotes, they gave their business to a builder they had befriended in the area.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43He said, "You're Muslim, I'm Muslim.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47"We have to help each other out." That kind of thing.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51"I know that you haven't got a lot of money and I understand,
0:03:51 > 0:03:56"so I'm not going to charge you as much as I would charge somebody else."
0:03:56 > 0:03:59The quickest way to turn your friends into enemies
0:03:59 > 0:04:05is by going into a business transaction with them without first ticking all the boxes.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Just because you know them doesn't mean you know their work,
0:04:09 > 0:04:13so do your background research, just as you would with a total stranger.
0:04:13 > 0:04:19The Shahs didn't do their homework, but they booked the builder anyway to extend their home
0:04:19 > 0:04:22and fit a new shower room in just three weeks.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25The total cost was eight grand.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28He wanted £3,000 up front first.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32I said, "Can I write you a cheque?" He was like, "No, I need cash."
0:04:32 > 0:04:36We said, "Can we have a receipt?" He said, "I don't do receipts.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40"The work is much cheaper because I don't have to give you a receipt."
0:04:40 > 0:04:44Farhana and Mudassar were wary, but paid the cash anyway
0:04:44 > 0:04:48and were relieved when building got off to a flying start.
0:04:48 > 0:04:55The foundations had been dug, the four walls went up, so I thought, "He's going to do it really quickly."
0:04:55 > 0:05:01They paid an additional three grand, but then things took a dramatic turn for the worse.
0:05:01 > 0:05:08The children started to complain of headaches and Farhana noticed the boiler flue was blocked.
0:05:08 > 0:05:14Fearing a potentially deadly carbon monoxide leak, she questioned the builder.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18I said, "You've blocked the flue." He said, "No, everything's fine.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21"Trust me. I'm the builder. I know what I'm doing."
0:05:21 > 0:05:24One Monday morning at 6.40am, Farhana was taking a shower
0:05:24 > 0:05:28when she heard the shriek of the carbon monoxide alarm.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31She jumped out of the shower and called for Mudassar.
0:05:31 > 0:05:37My kids came screaming out of the bedrooms because it woke them up. It was such a loud, piercing alarm.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41They said, "Mummy, what's that?" I said, "A carbon monoxide alarm."
0:05:41 > 0:05:44"Mummy, are we going to die?" They were really upset.
0:05:44 > 0:05:50Angry their family had been put in danger, they confronted their terrible tradesman.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53He goes, "No, it's nothing. It's not a problem.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55"It's just the alarm."
0:05:56 > 0:06:02He said it was steam. He said the alarm went off because of the steam, not the carbon monoxide.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07They had uncovered a cowboy, but Farhana was thankful of one thing -
0:06:07 > 0:06:11the carbon monoxide alarm she always kept in the house.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13It cost like £25
0:06:13 > 0:06:18and it was the best £25 that I've ever spent because it did save our lives.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23For four days, the family found themselves without heating or hot water.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28Incredibly, Farhana found herself begging the cowboy builder for help,
0:06:28 > 0:06:33the very same person whose bodged handiwork could have killed them.
0:06:33 > 0:06:40We begged him. I said, "Please, you need to sort the boiler out. My children can't live like this.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45"It's so cold in the house." At that point, I was almost in tears because it was just so cold.
0:06:45 > 0:06:51The builder agreed to help, but cheekily, demanded a further two grand.
0:06:51 > 0:06:57Feeling utterly desperate, the couple paid and an engineer sorted the problem.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03They had forked out £8,000 so far, but weren't out of danger yet.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08Through the roof of the extension, the rain water had seeped out on to the electrics
0:07:08 > 0:07:10and short-circuited the whole house.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13And I went mad.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17This was the last straw. It was the second time he nearly killed us.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Once again, she confronted her bodging builder.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24He was like, "I'm coming over now. I don't want to see you upset."
0:07:24 > 0:07:28But the only thing this cowboy cared about was more cash.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32He said, "I'll finish the job, but I need an extra 1,500."
0:07:32 > 0:07:38Thankfully, this time, they didn't pay up, but their builder never returned.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Our house is like a building site.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45We've got dust, mess. The kids can't go out into the garden.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47There's rubbish and rubble.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52The bathroom is not even a bathroom. It's just like an empty shell
0:07:52 > 0:07:55with just some plastic sheeting over the top.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58The experience has left them devastated.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03It's like living in a nightmare with no light at the end of the tunnel.
0:08:04 > 0:08:09Farhana and Mudassar's friends and neighbours are horrified
0:08:09 > 0:08:11at the dangerous state of their home.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13They could have been electrocuted.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16They could have all been gassed.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19What sort of builder is that?
0:08:19 > 0:08:25The man messed them up. I've seen the place and it really looks bad.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30The amount of rubbish out that back garden, that is a haven for rats.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33It is literally a rubbish job.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38It took the Shahs two years to save up the money required for their extension,
0:08:38 > 0:08:42but now they have a home that's unfinished and unsafe at best,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46but at worst, it could have killed them. It's time to meet them.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51I want to find out what I can do to help.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02- Ah!- Hello there.- Mr and Mrs Shah? - Hi.- How are you? I'm Clive from Cowboy Trap.
0:09:02 > 0:09:08- You've had problems with cowboy builders.- Yeah. - Where is the problem?- In the back.
0:09:08 > 0:09:14- Do you mind if I take a look? - Yeah, sure.- You rest your feet. I'll catch up with you later.- Thank you.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21'The couple lead me straight to the kitchen.'
0:09:21 > 0:09:23It's very compact and bijou, this.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29This looks like the original end of the property, the original building.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Look at that. Not everybody is as big as me,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37but boiler there, wall there, very little space.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42'And through the kitchen is what's meant to be the family shower room.'
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Wow, this is really tight!
0:09:46 > 0:09:50The extension itself, there's not much space.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53'My main concern is what's underneath this floor.'
0:09:54 > 0:09:59Looking at the actual slab itself, we've got the right DPM - damp-proof membrane,
0:09:59 > 0:10:06but what we haven't got above the insulation is another course of DPM, that's missing,
0:10:06 > 0:10:11so I have a horrible feeling that although a lot of work has gone into this floor,
0:10:11 > 0:10:15that might have to come up, which will be a real pain.
0:10:15 > 0:10:21'And there's another problem. The drainage pipe for the shower should run along here.'
0:10:21 > 0:10:25We've got waste. The problem is, where the channel is,
0:10:25 > 0:10:31the channel's rising up, so there's no way in the world that that would work.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35'This uphill slope means nasty blockages are inevitable
0:10:35 > 0:10:40'and outdoors, it takes no time to sniff out other bad bodges.'
0:10:40 > 0:10:45Look at that! As soon as I step outside, my mind's working overtime.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49I can see loads of things going on that shouldn't be going on.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54So end of the original building, new extension.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59Where that gas flue is, there's no way that that can come out like that.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02At this stage, because it's in part build,
0:11:02 > 0:11:06all the fumes and the wind catching it are blowing that back inside.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11They should have known that. That's got to be ducted away properly.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14'And my next clue points to more foul play.'
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Manhole cover...
0:11:19 > 0:11:21..but looking at this, no manhole.
0:11:21 > 0:11:28I'm telling you now, I reckon that he's poured a slab directly over that manhole.
0:11:28 > 0:11:34'If I'm correct and this cowboy has built their extension over a manhole,
0:11:34 > 0:11:39'then a new one will need to be created. Believe me, that is no easy job.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42'And the problems don't stop there.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46'When this extension was built, they had to excavate the garden,
0:11:46 > 0:11:52'but instead of building a retaining wall, the cowboy left it completely unsupported.'
0:11:52 > 0:11:56So it's actually pulling forward all the time.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59It's started to fracture already there, look,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02just under the weight.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07So that's...just completely unsafe.
0:12:07 > 0:12:12'Around the corner, the potential for collapse continues.'
0:12:12 > 0:12:15It's not supported, it's not shuttered off.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20If that section of the neighbour's garden falls, it falls directly against the wall,
0:12:20 > 0:12:26therefore, all the moisture is held up against the wall and it could start to just transfer inside.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28I mean...
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Very little thought has gone into that.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36'With piles of stones, dangerous tools and rubbish everywhere,
0:12:36 > 0:12:41'this entire back garden is highly hazardous to the family.'
0:12:41 > 0:12:46It's a mess. I need to find out from the Shahs exactly what they were hoping for.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Farhana, that's a beautiful name.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- Does it mean anything?- It's just Arabic. It means "happiness".
0:12:53 > 0:12:55No way! It means "happiness"!
0:12:55 > 0:13:02- Have you had much lately?- No. - I don't think you have.- Not since I've had the building work started.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- It's more sadness, isn't it? - Stress and sadness, yeah.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10We hope to bring you a bit more happiness or a bit more "farhana" into your life.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14At the moment, it's really messy. I want you to walk me through...
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Shall we start off in the actual shower area and toilet?
0:13:18 > 0:13:23Well, it was meant to be a downstairs bathroom.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28'This extension was meant to have a shower, toilet and sink, but it's so badly planned out,
0:13:28 > 0:13:32'I doubt the cowboy knew what he was doing from the start.'
0:13:32 > 0:13:36- Did he have a proper plan?- No, he just drew it on a piece of paper.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41'Before we get in there, I want to know about these dodgy cables and pipes.'
0:13:41 > 0:13:45He moved the electrics and then the water was leaking down.
0:13:45 > 0:13:52He short-circuited the whole house because water was coming all the way down this wall through those pipes.
0:13:52 > 0:13:58When I confronted him, he said, "It's not even live wires. How can it short-circuit the house?"
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- I said, "It is live because the boiler's working."- Correct.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06And I said, "You think I'm stupid. I know that much."
0:14:06 > 0:14:12'Copper pipes, leaking water and electricity - what a lethal combination!
0:14:12 > 0:14:16'Any member of this family could have been electrocuted.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23'I want to know what Farhana was planning inside the shower room.'
0:14:23 > 0:14:30- There was meant to be a door here, a shower there, the toilet there, the sink there, all in a row.- Yes.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35I said, "We need an extractor fan." He said, "No, you've got two big windows."
0:14:35 > 0:14:39He's thinking that in winter time, you'll have your windows open,
0:14:39 > 0:14:45when it's freezing cold, to let the steam out? You're not. That's why you need an extractor fan.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49'And that's not the only thing missing.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54'There's a mysterious manhole cover lying outside.'
0:14:54 > 0:14:59There's a problem with the floor. There should be a manhole, an inspection pit.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Yes, and he covered it up. When I approached him about that,
0:15:03 > 0:15:07he said, "The inspector said I can do that after I've finished the job.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10"I can put another manhole cover outside."
0:15:10 > 0:15:16When I spoke to the inspector, he said he asked him to move it first before he covered up the floor.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- How else would you connect to it? - Exactly.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23'Manholes are a forgotten essential of everyday life.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27'Below them lie systems of drains, electric cables,
0:15:27 > 0:15:29'gas mains and telephone lines,
0:15:29 > 0:15:33'all of which make our modern-day lives possible.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37'The Shahs' cowboy ignored the request of the building inspector
0:15:37 > 0:15:41'and built over their access to the drainage system.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45'Don't make the same costly mistake. Take my advice.'
0:16:11 > 0:16:16'The Shahs' cowboy blatantly ignored the building inspector.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20'I want Farhana to show me more of his shoddy work.'
0:16:20 > 0:16:22This is the back.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- Yeah, this is the... - The extension part.
0:16:26 > 0:16:32There's a few problems. The big problem that I've got is in terms of the gas flue.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35The flue has actually got an incline in it.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39The roof isn't sealed. The fumes are coming back in.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42My daughter has been complaining about headaches.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46My son's been complaining about headaches and my husband has as well.
0:16:46 > 0:16:52- This is the thing, particularly with carbon monoxide. It's a killer. - We have got an alarm.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57The last time the alarm went off was when he had blocked the flue and the alarm went off.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- It's dangerous.- It made me angry.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03This guy is really playing with people's lives
0:17:03 > 0:17:07and if he's doing this sort of work at other people's properties,
0:17:07 > 0:17:11- it will not be long before something goes wrong.- He'll kill somebody.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15'This is terrifying.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18'Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21'That's why it's known as the silent killer.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25'Every household needs to take the right precautions.'
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Here's a very important top tip.
0:17:27 > 0:17:33If you've got one of these, a gas boiler, you definitely need one of these.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36These are about 20 quid down at your DIY stores.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41I don't know what the decibels are on this, but it's quite piercing, so just be ready.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43HIGH-PITCHED BEEPS
0:17:44 > 0:17:49That's definitely going to attract attention. There's no two ways about that.
0:17:49 > 0:17:55It will warn people. You know that's going to be a carbon monoxide alarm. Get out the building.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00If possible, open windows and doors to allow any of the carbon monoxide to dissipate.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04But the next thing you've got to do and most importantly
0:18:04 > 0:18:09is to contact a Gas Safe engineer who can deal with it or your local gas supplier.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12On your gas meter, there's a freephone number.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Make a note of it and keep it safe.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Make no mistake. Carbon monoxide is a killer.
0:18:19 > 0:18:25'Farhana and her family were in real danger and seeing this garden, they still are,
0:18:25 > 0:18:29'particularly with these unsupported walls.'
0:18:29 > 0:18:33Because we've had a real dry spell, the ground is cracking up big style.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36It could fall at any time which is dangerous.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40I thought he knew what he was doing, but I'm not a builder.
0:18:40 > 0:18:45- In hindsight, do you think he was doing it properly? - No, definitely not.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48I can see you're chilling. You've got goosebumps!
0:18:48 > 0:18:50OK, Mrs Goosebumps, let's go.
0:18:55 > 0:19:01'Coming up, it's judgment time when I call in an independent chartered surveyor.'
0:19:01 > 0:19:06There's no plan in existence for this work. It's just wrong.
0:19:06 > 0:19:13'And Farhana and Mudassar tell me how the builder affected them financially and emotionally.'
0:19:13 > 0:19:18The fact that we've lost all this money, it makes you feel stupid. I could kick myself.
0:19:21 > 0:19:29'In Luton, Farhana and Mudassar Shah's morning routine of getting up, washed and dressed was manic.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34'Mum and Dad dreamed of a new shower room, perfect for their growing family
0:19:34 > 0:19:36'and to complete the home they love.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40'They hired a friend to build an extension,
0:19:40 > 0:19:44'but after forking out every penny of their eight grand savings,
0:19:44 > 0:19:49'the careless cowboy put their lives at risk...twice!
0:19:49 > 0:19:53'Then he hightailed it out of there, refusing to return.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59'The family have been left living in a cluttered, dangerous building site.
0:19:59 > 0:20:05'It's time for me to find out more about how they ended up in this cowboy cash-tastrophe.'
0:20:07 > 0:20:11How did you go about finding the actual money, Mudassar?
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Every month, we were saving a little bit.
0:20:13 > 0:20:20- Watching it grow. And it took a while to save. How long do you think it took?- About two years.
0:20:20 > 0:20:26When you thought, "We've got the money," how did you go about finding the builders?
0:20:26 > 0:20:32- I've known him for the last two years, so I thought if anything goes wrong, I know where he lives.- Yeah.
0:20:32 > 0:20:38At that time, I thought, "She knows the family, so maybe he's the right guy."
0:20:38 > 0:20:43'Their builder friend quoted £8,000 and wanted three grand up front.'
0:20:43 > 0:20:46How was he going to be paid?
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- You offered a cheque.- Yeah.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- Well done. - But he wouldn't accept it.- Oh.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57He wouldn't accept it. That should automatically suggest alarm bells.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01In my experience, it's so they avoid paying the Inland Revenue.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07'Unfortunately, Farhana and Mudassar left themselves open to problems
0:21:07 > 0:21:09'by agreeing to pay cash.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12'Don't let this happen to you.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24'Then you'll know at what stage you need to pay.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36'The couple agreed to the quote and booked their builder.'
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- What did you tell him you wanted? - I said, "I want a door here
0:21:40 > 0:21:44"and I want a shower here, a bath there."
0:21:44 > 0:21:47He said, "Yeah, fine. We'll do it like that."
0:21:47 > 0:21:49He'd done all the measurements.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54When he dug the foundations and he built it, I said, "It looks a bit small."
0:21:54 > 0:22:00He goes, "I gave you the measurements." I said, "You didn't say it was the outside measurements.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04- "I thought that's..."- The internal space.- He goes, "I never said that."
0:22:04 > 0:22:07I said, "That was the impression I got."
0:22:07 > 0:22:09'Farhana made the common mistake
0:22:09 > 0:22:15'of thinking the outside wall measurements were the actual size of the bathroom, not realising
0:22:15 > 0:22:19'that the width of the walls would reduce the interior space.
0:22:19 > 0:22:24'She's now been left with a tiny shower room. Don't let this happen to you. Take my advice.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53'Disappointed by the size when they saw the foundations,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56'the Shahs still proceeded with the build.'
0:22:56 > 0:23:02How soon into the build did you think there were problems, alarm bells, shall we say?
0:23:04 > 0:23:09Two weeks into it. He wasn't coming every day like he promised at the beginning.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12He just kept blaming it on the weather.
0:23:13 > 0:23:19'But not turning up was nothing compared to putting this family at risk. Twice!
0:23:19 > 0:23:23'First, the builder blocked the gas boiler flue,
0:23:23 > 0:23:27'putting the whole family in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.'
0:23:28 > 0:23:30Our carbon monoxide alarm went off.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35- We had to call out Transco and the gas engineer.- Yes.
0:23:35 > 0:23:41They could not believe what the builder had done and they even had a go at the builder.
0:23:41 > 0:23:47The builder said, "There's no carbon monoxide. It's just steam. That's why the alarm has gone off."
0:23:47 > 0:23:49This is a real worry.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53'But the careless cowboy didn't stop there.
0:23:53 > 0:24:00'His leaky roof left a potentially lethal combination of water and electrics.'
0:24:00 > 0:24:04He hadn't finished the roof off. It was raining heavily and it was windy.
0:24:04 > 0:24:10The rain water came straight into the extension part and into the kitchen.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14And it short-circuited the whole house.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19'The cowboy put the entire family in danger of electrocution.
0:24:19 > 0:24:24'Unsurprisingly, Mum and Dad were angry and confronted him right away.'
0:24:24 > 0:24:31- So you told him, "You've nearly killed us twice."- Yeah, and he's like, "I can't talk now."
0:24:31 > 0:24:36- He goes, "Why do you keep ringing me?" He put the phone down on me. - "Why"? It's fairly obvious why!
0:24:36 > 0:24:40- How much of your money had he got at this stage?- Eight.- Eight.
0:24:40 > 0:24:46Eight grand. There was no incentive for him to come back. He'd got all the money.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49'At this point, the couple's cowboy stopped coming,
0:24:49 > 0:24:55'leaving this lovely family's home, life and dream in ruins.'
0:24:55 > 0:24:59You've got four children, like you said, growing.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03You've got no garden because it's full of rubble.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06You've got tripping hazards all over the place.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Has that had an impact on your relationship?
0:25:10 > 0:25:15Obviously, we were having arguments with each other. That was affecting our life.
0:25:15 > 0:25:21The fact that we've lost all this money... That took us two years to save that money.
0:25:21 > 0:25:27I'm trying to see how we can get the money together to get the job finished.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31It makes you feel stupid because you're quite an intelligent person,
0:25:31 > 0:25:35then you fall for something that you see on TV and you think,
0:25:35 > 0:25:39"Look at these silly people falling into these traps!"
0:25:39 > 0:25:41You know, I could kick myself.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45What could we do that would make you feel a lot happier?
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Well, just the garden at least back to normal,
0:25:49 > 0:25:53so the kids can go out. I had that dream.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56'Well, I intend to sort more than the garden.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00'I want to tackle the kitchen and shower room too,
0:26:00 > 0:26:04'then we'll really make this couple's dream come true.'
0:26:09 > 0:26:15It makes me angry when so-called tradesmen come into people's properties and leave them in ruins.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20All the Shahs wanted to do was make life better for their family
0:26:20 > 0:26:24and all they've been left with is a really dodgy building job.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28I've asked independent chartered surveyor Simon Levy to come along
0:26:28 > 0:26:32and cast his expert eye over it and give us a score.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44Simon, I'll come up and join you.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49- Blimey, it's a bit dodgy! - Hello, Clive.- Are you all right? - Good to see you.
0:26:49 > 0:26:55Floor-wise in there, the way that he's actually done the slab isn't the best.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58We feel that's going to have to be dug up.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00One thing that concerns me,
0:27:00 > 0:27:04you look in the hole and you see moisture, so it will have to come up.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07And it's been built over an inspection pit.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11There's no plan in existence for this work.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16They can't think ahead, so they only come across problems when they arrive.
0:27:16 > 0:27:22From your point of view, if you were giving this guy a mark out of ten, what are you likely to give him?
0:27:22 > 0:27:27I'd say three out of ten. The roof is incomplete. Nobody's thought about this arrangement.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32The construction is a problem as far as the neighbour is concerned. It's wrong.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35So three out of ten is what it shall be, squire.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42This shower room is compact and bijou.
0:27:42 > 0:27:47It's worse just now because it's got all the different bits and bobs in here, tripping hazards.
0:27:47 > 0:27:52It's not safe for adults, let alone the children in this property.
0:27:52 > 0:27:57I'm going to cordon the area off from all the builder bodges that have gone on in here.
0:27:57 > 0:28:03The only people allowed beyond that tape is myself and the good guys. I think it's time to go get 'em!
0:28:04 > 0:28:10'This shower room in the rear of the house desperately needs sorting and made safe.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14'Local builder Ray Johnstone and his team are raring to go.
0:28:14 > 0:28:20'Thrilled at the action, the Shahs have agreed to chip in to help meet the cost of the build.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24'The first task is to tackle that missing manhole.'
0:28:24 > 0:28:27- I can see the lid is here. - The lid's here, the frame's here.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31The manhole is buried under there, so we've got to find that.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35If the drain's blocked, the sewage will come up in that bathroom.
0:28:35 > 0:28:40- What's our next plan? - Right, we're going to tile the floor.
0:28:40 > 0:28:45We'll incorporate a wet room in the shower, so she can just mop the floor and it's clean.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48Then outside, what's the plan?
0:28:48 > 0:28:53Outside? Look at the garden. What a mess he's left it in! We're going to clear that.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57We'll build in the retaining wall and build the steps up to the garden.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01I'll let you carry on, sir. Cheers, Ray. Thanks a lot.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08'Coming up, I can't wait to show the Shahs their sparkly shower room.'
0:29:08 > 0:29:11What do you think?
0:29:11 > 0:29:14- Oh, my God!- It looks amazing!
0:29:18 > 0:29:23'In Luton, Farhana and Mudassar Shah's builder buddy quoted eight grand
0:29:23 > 0:29:30'to construct the dream bathroom extension desperately needed to make their family life less stressful.
0:29:31 > 0:29:36'But after forking out £8,000 to their callous cowboy, he had upped and left,
0:29:36 > 0:29:40'leaving them living in a dangerous and cluttered building site.
0:29:40 > 0:29:47'Farhana is struggling to live with the mess and is concerned for her young family's safety.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52'But we brought in Ray and his terrific team
0:29:52 > 0:29:57'who are hard at it, making this family's dream come true.
0:29:57 > 0:30:03'The signs that this is a cracking job are already there, even if Ray is modest.'
0:30:03 > 0:30:07It doesn't look like much at the moment.
0:30:07 > 0:30:12I'm with Paul, one of our building team, and we'll talk about how we'll reinforce the wall
0:30:12 > 0:30:16to make sure none of this material can tip forward.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20What do we need to do once we're building the wall up?
0:30:20 > 0:30:23We've got the three weep holes going in,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25so any moisture on the floor
0:30:25 > 0:30:28that comes through will seep through to the ground.
0:30:28 > 0:30:33- So it's very important that it doesn't seep through the brickwork. - Very.- That's the key.
0:30:33 > 0:30:38We've got a nine-inch wall going across with a damp-proof membrane.
0:30:38 > 0:30:44As long as you've got that defensive membrane between the wall and the soil, you'll be fine.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47'Farhana and Mudassar have been living in chaos,
0:30:47 > 0:30:52'but at least now they know there's an end in sight.'
0:30:52 > 0:30:56Our life is coming back to normal, on the right track, slowly, slowly.
0:30:56 > 0:31:02The children especially, they can see that we're not as stressed like we were before.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06Every day we come home, the work has progressed a little bit more.
0:31:06 > 0:31:13It's coming closer to the end where we can finally start enjoying ourselves together as a family.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16At the end of the tunnel there is a light.
0:31:16 > 0:31:21'They're certainly getting there, Mudassar. Ray is making sure that drainage works.'
0:31:21 > 0:31:25The cement screed slopes down to where the drain is,
0:31:25 > 0:31:29so all the water can just run into the drain from all sides.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32'And he's banished those dodgy electrics.'
0:31:32 > 0:31:36A child could have touched that and got an electric shock.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40'Now, there's a man on a mission to make a manhole.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42'Thank heavens Ray knows the rules!'
0:31:42 > 0:31:46You're not allowed to build over and block manholes.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51They're there for a purpose - to clear any blockages within the sewage system.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54'It's great to see the build going so well.'
0:31:54 > 0:31:58But now it's high time we got some answers from the bad builder,
0:31:58 > 0:32:04particularly, how does he do something like this to friends of their own family?
0:32:06 > 0:32:09'And I'm sure this couple have their own questions too.'
0:32:09 > 0:32:13When was the last time you had any conversation with your builder?
0:32:13 > 0:32:18- Last Tuesday.- Last Tuesday?- Hmm. We went round his house.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- How was that? - He said, "No, it's not my fault."
0:32:22 > 0:32:24He said, "Just leave my place.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28"You are in my place and you are saying this to me."
0:32:28 > 0:32:32I was kind of like shouting at him, you know, that time.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36It's brave to be knocking on their door and facing them,
0:32:36 > 0:32:41but we have to give him a right of reply and that's usually by a phone call.
0:32:41 > 0:32:46I'll just dial it up and I'll hand you the phone if that's OK.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48It's calling now.
0:32:50 > 0:32:56It's just a message saying, "The number you're trying to reach is not currently accepting calls.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59"Please try again later."
0:32:59 > 0:33:05This is a typical cowardice thing of a cowboy builder. It's one of their traits.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09I'm absolutely disgusted by his behaviour and his actions
0:33:09 > 0:33:12and the fact that knowingly,
0:33:12 > 0:33:18he endangered our lives and he doesn't seem to care about that.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22Your faith is lost. But I promise you, there are good guys out there.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26'We did call the Shahs' builder,
0:33:26 > 0:33:31'but he stated he was ill, refused to comment and hung up the phone.
0:33:31 > 0:33:37'One thing is for sure - this lovely family can't go on living in these horrific conditions.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39'It's got to stop.
0:33:44 > 0:33:49'So it's just as well we've brought in the good guys.
0:33:49 > 0:33:55'They've been working at breakneck speed to transform this house from building site to dream home.'
0:33:55 > 0:34:01The Shahs have been very good. They've been providing us with cups of tea to keep us going.
0:34:01 > 0:34:07'It looks as though those builder teas have worked because the job is now finished. Well done, guys.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14'Luton, here I come!
0:34:14 > 0:34:17'I can't wait to see the Shahs' wonderful new home.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21'It's time for me to take a sneaky peek
0:34:21 > 0:34:25'and I'm going to start with the family's cherished garden.'
0:34:26 > 0:34:29The first things that meet my eye -
0:34:29 > 0:34:33we've got new pipework here from the sink in the shower room.
0:34:33 > 0:34:38The manhole has been re-positioned, the roof fixed and the gas flue is now safe.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42It looks a whole heap better from here, all vented off nicely,
0:34:42 > 0:34:45and here I think... That's great.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49In terms of the steps, they're finished off beautiful.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53That's a nice step up into a garden where they had loads of waste.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57That's all been cleared. It could do with some grass putting down,
0:34:57 > 0:35:01but it looks really good and we've got this wall.
0:35:01 > 0:35:07You've got a damp-proof membrane behind too and the return on the far end for the neighbour's property...
0:35:07 > 0:35:12There was potential for all of that earth to fall there. That's all been done too.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15All in all, a real, cracking job.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Love it.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21Time to check out the kitchen that had been left unfinished.
0:35:21 > 0:35:26Our boys have certainly done a brilliant job fitting this room out.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30Well, well, well! That does look different.
0:35:30 > 0:35:35First of all, the tiles are just fantastic. I'm loving them.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38They ooze quality.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42I love the wall tile layout as well. They look really cool.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45I'm loving the worktops, loving the hob.
0:35:45 > 0:35:50I tell you what, that is a big, big change. Big change.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52I'll have a look at that shower room.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56'After months of heartache, at last, their extension is finished
0:35:56 > 0:36:01'and what's more, it's looking lovely!'
0:36:01 > 0:36:03Oh, yeah!
0:36:03 > 0:36:05I mean, "tile-icious" comes to mind!
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Again lovely, clean lines.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12It's perfect. Layout, excellent -
0:36:12 > 0:36:14toilet, your basin, the shower.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18I've said this before and I'll say it again.
0:36:18 > 0:36:24This cabinet with the mirror on it gives that feeling of far more space, much more space
0:36:24 > 0:36:27in a tight sort of room like this.
0:36:27 > 0:36:32So again it's a big, big thumbs-up and a massive change.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35'I can't wait to see what the family think,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38'but first, there's a man I need to thank
0:36:38 > 0:36:42'and it looks like Ray is checking over his handiwork.'
0:36:42 > 0:36:47That's what the problem was about - the manhole which they built the walls over the top
0:36:47 > 0:36:53and we've had to build this new one, so that we can get in to unblock any blockages that occur.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56As manholes go, quite a nice one.
0:36:56 > 0:37:01- It's not bad. - You can put the lid back on because that's a health hazard.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04They're not the sweetest-smelling things, are they?
0:37:04 > 0:37:09- They're not bad.- Now then, Ray. Just talk us through what you've done.
0:37:09 > 0:37:15If this drain had been done correctly in the first place, we wouldn't have had all this trouble.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19We've done all the tiling, we've put the shower room in.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21The garden's been cleared.
0:37:21 > 0:37:27We've done the roof and we've had lots of rain this last week, so we know it's nice and sound.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31Yourself and Paul have done an absolutely cracking job.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35- I'll let you carry on inspecting the work.- Thank you very much. Bye.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40I've just got one thing left to do and that's show Farhana and Mudassar.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43I hope they like it. I'm sure they will.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46Get it? I'm "Shah" they will. Forget it!
0:37:46 > 0:37:50'The family have been living here throughout the build.'
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Farhana and Mudassar, just come and join me.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56'But they've not seen the final result.'
0:38:00 > 0:38:03- Hey-hey, hey-hey!- Hey!
0:38:03 > 0:38:07- Nice new kitchen.- It looks lovely. - It does look good.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Who chose the floor tiles?
0:38:09 > 0:38:12- I did.- Beautiful.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16As it's a galley kitchen, it's quite narrow, you've made great use of the space.
0:38:16 > 0:38:24'Before the good guys arrived, this kitchen was a bodged job building site with only a few units fitted.
0:38:24 > 0:38:30'What a difference this beautiful transformation will make to the entire family!'
0:38:30 > 0:38:33- How much of a difference will this make?- A lot.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36When I designed the kitchen in my head, I wanted more cupboard space,
0:38:36 > 0:38:40so I can just hide everything away and have the minimum outside.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43- Do you like it, Mudassar? - Very nice, very nice.
0:38:43 > 0:38:48The next place we're going to now is the shower room. Let's go.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53'This really is the dream.'
0:38:53 > 0:38:55- What do you think?- Oh, my God!
0:38:55 > 0:38:58It looks amazing.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01- Fantastic. - Just clean and light and airy.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Even though it's quite a small space, it doesn't look small.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08It doesn't because the planning is fantastic.
0:39:08 > 0:39:13'Before, it was an empty shell with bare bricks and rough plaster.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18'Now we've created the perfect shower room with a watertight floor.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21'Images like these are a thing of the past
0:39:21 > 0:39:24'as now they can enjoy their super new shower.'
0:39:24 > 0:39:29- That's got to be a ten out of ten. - Yeah. Amazing.
0:39:29 > 0:39:35- You wouldn't have looked forward to coming home in the state it was in? - I used to dread coming home.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39I used to stay as long as possible at work to avoid coming home.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42I'm just so happy that it's all done now.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46- Yeah, again... - It's been a long time coming,
0:39:46 > 0:39:49- but it's finally... - It's finally over.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51It's like the nightmare has ended.
0:39:51 > 0:39:57'Before we brought in the good guys, this young family's house was a danger zone
0:39:57 > 0:40:03'and they had suffered two life-threatening scares, courtesy of their callous cowboy.
0:40:03 > 0:40:08'With all their cash gone, their dream was in tatters.
0:40:08 > 0:40:14'But we've put life back on track by transforming their kitchen
0:40:14 > 0:40:18'and giving them their vital second shower room.
0:40:18 > 0:40:23'And I know they'll be delighted to finally have their garden back.'
0:40:23 > 0:40:29Now then... OK, talk me through what you see now that has changed.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33- I've got a roof.- You've got no problems now with the gas
0:40:33 > 0:40:36and with any water trying to get into the property.
0:40:36 > 0:40:41- Crucial.- Yeah.- There's no rubbish. - No rubbish.- No rubbish.
0:40:41 > 0:40:47The wall's built up and we don't have to somersault into the garden over rubble!
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- Those steps are fantastic. - Lovely.- I love them.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54We'll do the ceremonial walking of the steps.
0:40:56 > 0:41:02- Up the steps and into the garden, rather than having to climb up blocks.- I know.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06'Before, the extension was a right eyesore.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10'Now it's a thing of beauty.'
0:41:10 > 0:41:13The whole thing is now complete.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16- Windows... Job's a good 'un.- Yeah.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- Looking forward to the future now? - We are.
0:41:19 > 0:41:24At least we don't have to fight over the bathroom in the mornings or in the evenings.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26The kids can play in the garden.
0:41:26 > 0:41:33They can come out in the garden. It's safer for them. And the cat. Even the cat was too scared to come out!
0:41:33 > 0:41:38Because that looks so nice, I just want to get the rest of the garden all landscaped
0:41:38 > 0:41:40and looking nice as well.
0:41:40 > 0:41:46We'll leave that up to green-fingers Mudassar. I'm sure he'll enjoy doing that.
0:41:46 > 0:41:51- It's got a new feel to it, the dream realised.- It's thanks to you guys.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Without that, we'd still be sitting in the nightmare.
0:41:54 > 0:42:00It's time for me to get in my Luton van, start getting one brown arm and flee the district.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03- Thanks, guys.- Thank you very much. - See you soon.- Bye.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08'I'm so pleased to see this family happy again
0:42:08 > 0:42:15'and I've no doubt that all the children will have hours of fun playing in their new garden.'
0:42:16 > 0:42:21Once again, that's one up for the good guys and what a brilliant job they've done too!
0:42:21 > 0:42:25But as for the Shahs, the builder they allowed into their property
0:42:25 > 0:42:28didn't only do a bodged job, he did a lethal one.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32He allowed carbon monoxide gases to pour out into the property
0:42:32 > 0:42:36which could have killed them unless they'd got that alarm.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40Talking of cowboy builders, I've got a message for you.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Don't look over your shoulder. We're right behind you!
0:42:43 > 0:42:48If you've had a problem with builders and you'd like to tell your story on Cowboy Trap,
0:42:48 > 0:42:50please call us on this number.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00Or you can send us an email.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Help us round up the cowboys!
0:43:26 > 0:43:30Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2012