0:00:08 > 0:00:14I'm back on the road, closing in on cowboy builders whose dodgy work is a real eyesore to look at.
0:00:14 > 0:00:19And they bring endless grief to the lives and homes of unsuspecting victims.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22I feel really, really badly let down.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25We can't afford this kind of thing to happen.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28I'm on a mission to help these unfortunate homeowners
0:00:28 > 0:00:32and see what I can do to get them back on track.
0:00:32 > 0:00:37I think he was taking advantage of me, thinking, "You're old, so you're daft."
0:00:37 > 0:00:41Along the way, I will give you loads of hints and tips in the hope
0:00:41 > 0:00:45that it will help prevent you from falling into the Cowboy Trap.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57Today, we're travelling across Britain to meet two sets of home owners,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00both of whom fell into the cowboy trap
0:01:00 > 0:01:05when they hired builders who didn't have the right skills the job.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10All Barbara McQuirk wanted was a shiny new shower room.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15She certainly didn't expect her money to be flushed away on a bodge-job bathroom.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17I thought, "That's horrible."
0:01:17 > 0:01:21It's not even square. I felt gutted. I felt I'd been had.
0:01:21 > 0:01:27And I meet Doris and Gordon Reid, who felt their world begin to crumble
0:01:27 > 0:01:30when their garden wall started falling apart.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33For two years past, that is not good enough.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39My quest starts in the north-west of England.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44Ooh, I do like to be beside the seaside.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47The cowboy trail finds me in Morecambe, Lancashire,
0:01:47 > 0:01:51a place famous for many things, including its ferry port
0:01:51 > 0:01:56and the 11th-century stone graves that overlook Morecambe Bay.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01Maybe that was a place where they buried their cowboy builder of the day!
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Morecambe is also home to pensioner Barbara McQuirk.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09Barbara grew up in nearby Barrow-in-Furness and, after living
0:02:09 > 0:02:14in various towns around the country, was drawn back to her old stomping ground.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17The bay is the opposite side to where I used to live.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22And you've got the lovely, small places all around the bay.
0:02:22 > 0:02:28It's beautiful. I used to come from Barrow to Morecambe to dance on a Saturday.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31That's not the only entertaining that went on in Morecambe.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35One of the town's most famous sons borrowed the name
0:02:35 > 0:02:38and put this seaside town on the showbiz map.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Now, Eric Morecambe here, and his partner Ernie Wise, brought
0:02:41 > 0:02:45a lot of sunshine, laughter and love into people's lives.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Unlike Barbara's plumber, who just brought sadness.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Barbara moved to her new home two years ago.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56She has a tough old time
0:02:56 > 0:03:00and suffers with arthritis, asthma, and diabetes.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04So she wanted some renovations done to make life a bit easier.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09Her dream was to have a beautiful tiled bathroom with a shower.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13I had a vision of a bathroom where I could go in
0:03:13 > 0:03:15and it would be warm.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19I wanted it to be easy for me to use.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22I thought, if I had it tiled, it would be easy to keep clean.
0:03:22 > 0:03:28Because Barbara was fairly new to the town, when she decided to go ahead with her bathroom build,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32she needed help in finding a contractor.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35She'd made some friends in the local neighbourhood,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37so asked around for some suggestions.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40On hearing that one of the tradesmen was a local fella
0:03:40 > 0:03:45and just about to start his own company, Barbara thought she'd give him a chance,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48so she asked him if he would give her a dream bathroom.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53He said he was just starting out. I thought it's good for people starting out, give them a hand.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58Giving new starts a chance can be risky. Take my advice.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Expertise comes with practice,
0:04:00 > 0:04:04so it's better to hire an experienced contractor.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06Check your builder's credentials
0:04:06 > 0:04:09and make sure they are qualified to take on the work.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12They shouldn't be learning on your job.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18Barbara wanted a totally redesigned bathroom with a new shower,
0:04:18 > 0:04:23incorporating a seat, basin, toilet and tiling throughout.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26The plumber was reluctant at first to come up with a cost,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30but he eventually quoted around £2,500.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36Barbara took out a bank loan for two-and-a-half grand to pay for the work.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41It was due to take two weeks and started in June 2010.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43He didn't ask me what I wanted.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47He said, "When I finish, Barbara, you'll have a lovely bathroom
0:04:47 > 0:04:49"and you'll be pleased."
0:04:49 > 0:04:54I said, "Well, as long as it works and it's nice, I'll be happy."
0:04:54 > 0:04:57As the bathroom work progressed,
0:04:57 > 0:05:02the plumber decided to sub-contract a tiler and an electrician.
0:05:03 > 0:05:08When the tiler arrived to start work, Barbara was in for a shock.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13He didn't have the right equipment for the job. Not even tile spacers!
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Alarm bells should have been ringing.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21I thought, "Why come to do a job when you haven't got any spacers?"
0:05:21 > 0:05:23If you're tiling, you know what you want.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Barbara didn't listen to her instincts.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28She kept paying the builders and allowed them
0:05:28 > 0:05:31to continue work for three weeks.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34So what did she think of the end result?
0:05:34 > 0:05:37It looked all right at first.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42It's only when you sit down and notice things. "That wood there is sticking out."
0:05:42 > 0:05:44"That's not even a close fit."
0:05:44 > 0:05:47I thought, "My God, that's horrible."
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Barbara was left with a shoddy shower,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53terrible tiling and problematic pipes.
0:05:53 > 0:05:59She might as well have flushed her two-and-a-half grand down the dodgy-fitting drain.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01I'm still paying the loan off
0:06:01 > 0:06:03with an awful bathroom!
0:06:05 > 0:06:06That upsets me.
0:06:08 > 0:06:09Maybe I can help out.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13I think it's time to meet Barbara and see
0:06:13 > 0:06:17if I can put this botched bathroom back on track.
0:06:17 > 0:06:18DOOR BELL RINGS
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- Hello.- Hello. Now you must be Barbara?- Yes, I am.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25I'm Clive from Cowboy Trap. How are you?
0:06:25 > 0:06:30- I heard you've had problems with one or two trades who came to sort your bathroom out.- Yes.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- Do you mind if I take a look?- No. - Great. You had to think about that!
0:06:34 > 0:06:35Come on, then.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- Whereabouts...? Ooh, I can see. - This is the bathroom.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44This is the bathroom. OK. All right. You go and sit down. I'm going to have a nosy round.
0:06:44 > 0:06:51First of all, straight away with the tiles, it's rare to have grout gap
0:06:51 > 0:06:55like this of around about... I think that's eight mil.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00It's way too wide. This is normally what you'd use for a floor.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04You can see where they're wodged in there. They've just filled it.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06It just looks horrible.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10They've just filled it in with grout anywhere they can
0:07:10 > 0:07:15and the trim around the window reveal, they've tried their best
0:07:15 > 0:07:20to do a mitre joint, top and bottom around the trim, but as they got to the bottom,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23they've thought, "Won't bother, just whack it on."
0:07:23 > 0:07:24It does look bad.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26And look at the state of that.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31That tile there, for instance, that's not been cut with a proper tile cutter.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34In terms of the plumbing, the way the waste pipe goes
0:07:34 > 0:07:39away from the sink, it doesn't look like it's got a decent fall line.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41That must be getting clogged up pretty bad.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46One of the important things for me, looking at the towel rail,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49and looking at the pipe work,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52if any electrical work has gone on in here,
0:07:52 > 0:07:56there is no visible earth bonding at all.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59That'd worry me, so I need to get an electrician to take a look.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02'Without earth bonding,
0:08:02 > 0:08:06'the metal pipes in this bathroom put Barbara at risk.'
0:08:06 > 0:08:10So, potential, again, for electrocution - high.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14It looks like an odd-jobber to me, this.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18Certainly not professionals that have done this job.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21I think there is more going on beneath the surface.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26Do you know, the work in that bathroom really stinks.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31I think it's time for me to find out exactly what Barbara had in mind.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36How did you get quotes and what did you want doing?
0:08:36 > 0:08:39I wanted a nice bathroom putting in, with a shower,
0:08:39 > 0:08:41and a seat in the shower.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46So I went to see this friend of mine and he gave me three names.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49And so I rang the three up and they all came out to see
0:08:49 > 0:08:52and said they'd get in touch with me.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- He was only one who got in touch. - What did you ask him to do?
0:08:55 > 0:09:00I told him I wanted the bath taking out and a shower putting in instead.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Tell me the reason you chose this particular plumber again.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08He'd also moved a radiator in the conservatory for me and lowered it.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11And he did a lovely job.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14He was polite and everything.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16I thought, "What harm can he be?"
0:09:16 > 0:09:20'Trusting this plumber was Barbara's first mistake.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23'Her next was over money.'
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- Did you take out the £2,500 loan? - Yes.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28In advance of getting quotes?
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- Yes.- Therefore how did you know how much it was going to cost?
0:09:31 > 0:09:34I thought if it cost less, I could spend it on something else.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- Did you tell your plumber how much money you'd got?- Yes.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Right, OK, this is ever so important.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43If you say how much you've got, you've already fallen into the cowboy trap.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48It's always best to just keep shtoom, let them do a quote
0:09:48 > 0:09:51and then sort out your loan after that.
0:09:51 > 0:09:58'Surprise, surprise, the plumber quoted the full amount of £2,500.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03'He wasted no time starting the job.'
0:10:03 > 0:10:07What happened when he said you need the tiling work doing,
0:10:07 > 0:10:10did he say he was going to bring in a qualified tiler?
0:10:10 > 0:10:14He didn't say "qualified". He said, "I know someone who can do it."
0:10:14 > 0:10:18And it turns out... I think it was his friend.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Didn't you at any stage look at them and go, "That looks awful."?
0:10:21 > 0:10:25It was only afterwards I saw how big the gaps were
0:10:25 > 0:10:29and where the gaps were and the outlets were, how bad it was.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Did you ever try and contact the plumber to say,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- "I need you to put these right."? - Yeah.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38He didn't get back to me. You knew you were on a hiding to nothing.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43At that stage, that dream bathroom that you'd always had in your mind...?
0:10:43 > 0:10:44It was in the ether.
0:10:44 > 0:10:50I just wanted that shower. I really wanted a shower. I needed a shower.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55What I'd like to do is bring that dream back to reality.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00- I'd like you to tell me what you would like.- Tiles that fit.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02When you move the lid off the toilet,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05it would be grouted under there.
0:11:05 > 0:11:12And where the outlet goes, the toilet and the sink, it would be fitted around it.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- Things like that. - Would that make you happy?
0:11:16 > 0:11:19It would be well on the way to it.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- I haven't got somebody to wash my back yet!- Have you not?
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- HE CHUCKLES - I'll see if I can get somebody organised for that.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- 58, about.- OK. - I don't want somebody old.- OK.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- I can't wait to show you the finished work.- That'd be wonderful. - Is that agreed?
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- Mm.- Brilliant.- That'd be superb.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42Later, I'll be calling in an independent chartered surveyor
0:11:42 > 0:11:46to give his judgment on the bathroom botch.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48It's quite poorly done.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55Now I'm heading north of the border to the beautiful Aberdeenshire countryside,
0:11:55 > 0:12:00where a garden wall isn't all it's cracked up to be.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02I'm in the picturesque town of Laurencekirk,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06just south of Aberdeen, in Scotland.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09It's a place of only 2,000 locals, so everyone knows your name
0:12:09 > 0:12:12and it also has great civic pride.
0:12:12 > 0:12:18This was the perfect patch to set up a dream home for finance administrator Doris Reid
0:12:18 > 0:12:21and her husband, warehouse worker Gordon.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22For over 30 years,
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Doris and Gordon Reid had lived and worked in Aberdeen city centre.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29But, in planning for retirement, they bought a plot of land
0:12:29 > 0:12:32with stunning views of the Aberdeenshire countryside.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37I'd always hankered after living in the country.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42This was a good balance of country life to city life.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46In 2007, the developer finished the couple's home.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50They moved in and were delighted.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54All they needed to complete their dream was a beautiful garden
0:12:54 > 0:12:57with a wall at the back to tie in with the house.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59We decided to have it landscaped
0:12:59 > 0:13:03and we didn't really want to put a wooden fence up,
0:13:03 > 0:13:07because it takes a lot of maintenance, it's not weatherproof.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11I thought it'd hide the view. What's the point in being in the country,
0:13:11 > 0:13:13having a view that we have and hiding it?
0:13:13 > 0:13:20Doris and Gordon spoke to a friend who'd recently had their garden done.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22They recommended a local landscaper,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25so the couple called him round for a quote.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30I said I want a wall. "Not a problem," he said.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33"My brother's a builder, he works for me,
0:13:33 > 0:13:35"so we can do the wall, as well."
0:13:35 > 0:13:40Doris and Gordon's outside objective was for a gorgeous garden
0:13:40 > 0:13:44complete with turfed lawn, patio, fencing to the side
0:13:44 > 0:13:46and a wall along the back.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51The landscaper quoted £3,200 for a ten-day turnaround
0:13:51 > 0:13:55to create their dream garden, including the rear wall.
0:13:55 > 0:14:00Neither Doris nor Gordon could afford to take any time off work
0:14:00 > 0:14:02to supervise the builder, but they trusted him.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07They knew it was going to cost thousands, and he told them it would take ten days to build.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10It eventually took ten weeks.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Warning bells should have been ringing
0:14:13 > 0:14:18when their neighbours alerted them to the reason for the hold-up.
0:14:18 > 0:14:23Neighbours had said about the timing and I was quite angry about it,
0:14:23 > 0:14:26but, because I wasn't actually here,
0:14:26 > 0:14:31seeing what time he arrived and left, I didn't feel I could go
0:14:31 > 0:14:35and say, "Hang on a minute, I know you haven't been here till 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock."
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Obviously, it wasn't whole days.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Doris and Gordon put the delays down to bad weather,
0:14:41 > 0:14:45but their neighbours, and their own instincts, were telling them otherwise.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49Take my advice, if you notice something wrong,
0:14:49 > 0:14:51stop the work immediately.
0:14:51 > 0:14:56Tell your builder your concerns and, if necessary, put them in writing.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00Don't hand over any cash until the problems are resolved.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Ten weeks into what was supposed to be a ten-day job, the work was finished.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11The Reids were pleased to have the job done, so settled up in full.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14At this time, we were very pleased with it.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17It looked well, it blended in with the house.
0:15:17 > 0:15:23But just 18 months later, and after the worst of the Aberdeenshire winter weather,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26Gordon realised he had a problem.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32I noticed some of the pebble dashing had come off the wall.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37Then I noticed there were hairline cracks going down the height of the wall.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41I looked over the other side, which is on the lane side,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45and the cracking was very much more significant.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49Gordon and Doris tried repeatedly to contact their builder
0:15:49 > 0:15:52by phone and by letter, but he never replied
0:15:52 > 0:15:53and he left the wall to crumble.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56And, just like their dreams, it's falling apart.
0:15:57 > 0:16:02I think I cried for days. I was just so devastated
0:16:02 > 0:16:06once it started deteriorating, and deteriorating fast.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10Less than two years after handing over more than three grand
0:16:10 > 0:16:15for their ideal garden, the Reids are left with whopping wall woes.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17The roughcast is coming off,
0:16:17 > 0:16:21the decorative coping stones on top of the wall are loose,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24and colossal cracks are appearing.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Doris and Gordon are distraught.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31I feel really, really badly let down, because,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35not only is the wall starting to look like an eyesore,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38um, but it's costing us again.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42We can't afford this kind of thing to happen. It's a big thing to get a wall done.
0:16:42 > 0:16:47It's time for me to meet the Reids and find out what we can do to help.
0:16:48 > 0:16:49DOOR BELL RINGS
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- Morning.- Morning.- You must be Doris? - I am.- How are you?
0:16:54 > 0:16:59- I'm fine, thank you.- You must be young Gordon?- I am, sir. - How are you, all right?- Yeah.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- I hear you have problems with a garden wall.- Yes.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- Do you mind if I have a look at it? - You have a look.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05- I'll have a chat later.- Sure.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10- But I want to see it for myself first. See you in a little while. - Yes. OK.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Thank you.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18Beautiful views for a start. Roughcast wall, on the face of it, looks OK.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20Let's take a closer look.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28OK, so we're only one brick thick. Copers.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Now this roughcast, first of all, not thick enough.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34It should be three-quarter inches thick.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36I'm not happy about the thickness of that.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Once the rain gets in behind that roughcast,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42then the water freezes in the winter
0:17:42 > 0:17:44and it blows it out like it's done there.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Looks like somebody's had a little dig down.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51Foundations are important when it comes to a wall like this
0:17:51 > 0:17:53and it doesn't look very deep at all.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57When you're building a wall like this, in terms of foundations,
0:17:57 > 0:18:01you need to be 50% wider than the width of the wall itself.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04You need to go about a foot deep, as well.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09The coper, again, as you look at that, it's not seated correctly.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12You've got grooves just under the coper itself,
0:18:12 > 0:18:18but, in the middle of that, should be a nice mortar bed to sit that coper on.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20This is virtually flush with the roughcast.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23A couple of years and this will look really bad.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27Looking now, through your TV screen, you might think,
0:18:27 > 0:18:28"That looks quite a nice wall."
0:18:28 > 0:18:32Up close and personal, it's a bit like me - doesn't look good at all!
0:18:32 > 0:18:34It's clear to me that this is a poor job,
0:18:34 > 0:18:40so I want Doris and Gordon to shed more light on their wall of worry.
0:18:42 > 0:18:48Foundations-wise, what foundations have you got?
0:18:48 > 0:18:50SHE LAUGHS
0:18:50 > 0:18:53He's put one block on its side, I think, and just built on top.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56I don't think he's even done that. Because,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00at the other side of the wall, you can put your foot under the hole at the other side.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02You can put your foot under it.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05What sort of traffic do you get down this lane?
0:19:05 > 0:19:09We get approximately 12, maybe 14, water tankers a day,
0:19:09 > 0:19:13because there are a water sewage works at the bottom of the road.
0:19:13 > 0:19:14You're going to get road movement,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16so you are going to get ground movement.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Again, over a period of time,
0:19:19 > 0:19:21this is going to break off and fall off,
0:19:21 > 0:19:25whether it's the winter, the vibration, or the fact it's not seated properly.
0:19:25 > 0:19:30If this had been after 20 years, I would have said, "OK, fair enough.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- "We've had use out of it." But for two years past.- No.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36That is not good enough.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40- The hard, cold facts are, you know this wall's got to come down? - BOTH: Yes.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42There's no way this wall can stay up.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46For as much as we're devastated at the state of the wall,
0:19:46 > 0:19:51I think, really, what's more important is the safety aspect,
0:19:51 > 0:19:53because kids come down here on their bikes.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56I would hate to think that anybody would get hurt.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01You know? That would be worse than ever.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05I dread to think of these heavy coping stones,
0:20:05 > 0:20:09or parts of this wall, falling on children and passers-by.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11So we need to get it down fast,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14but I want to find out more about the landscaper
0:20:14 > 0:20:17who landed them with this bodge job.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Doris said to him, "We can get a builder in to do the wall side of it.
0:20:21 > 0:20:27- Mm-hm.- "Because you're a landscape gardener." - A good shout from Doris.- Yep.
0:20:27 > 0:20:33- He said, "No, that's OK, my brother works for me and he's a bricklayer." - It wouldn't be a problem.
0:20:33 > 0:20:40You know, whoever your main contractor brings in as a subcontractor,
0:20:40 > 0:20:44he should be aware of the qualities of their work.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Because he is responsible.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50If your builder is sub-contracting part the job, listen up.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55The contractor is responsible and accountable
0:20:55 > 0:20:57for any work done by sub-contractors.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02But it's still advisable to research anyone doing work on your property.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Sadly, Doris and Gordon trusted their landscaper.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13But when did they first realise things were going wrong?
0:21:13 > 0:21:15There wasn't really any alarm bells ringing,
0:21:15 > 0:21:19apart from the length of time he was taking to complete the work.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- Yes.- We originally got quoted ten working days.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27When it ran into ten weeks, come the seventh or eighth week,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30he would stay for an hour and then away somewhere else.
0:21:30 > 0:21:36To take ten weeks, from ten days, the original quote, is crazy.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40After ten weeks, the build was finally finished
0:21:40 > 0:21:42and the couple liked what they saw.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45But just a year-and-a-half later, the wall,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48and their peace of mind, started to crack.
0:21:48 > 0:21:54In between the coping stones, one or two, there was no cement.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Where's the cement gone?
0:21:56 > 0:21:58When you did realise it was that bad, Doris,
0:21:58 > 0:22:00how did it make you feel?
0:22:00 > 0:22:04I was frustrated, angry, tearful,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06you know, I was in a state.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10So I called his mobile and his home number
0:22:10 > 0:22:14over a period of maybe six weeks about 30 times.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- Never got any answer.- What would be your dream for that area now?
0:22:18 > 0:22:23I just want it to be 100% perfect.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Are we agreeing it's a rip-it-up-and-start-again job?
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- Absolutely.- OK,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32That's what I'm going to do. Will that make you happy,
0:22:32 > 0:22:36to have a nice new solid structure put up and a job done well?
0:22:36 > 0:22:37We'd really appreciate it.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42Coming up, I call in an independent building inspector to give us
0:22:42 > 0:22:45the lowdown on whether this wonky wall should come down.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49The amount that's wrong with it,
0:22:49 > 0:22:53I wouldn't think it was done by somebody who is a qualified builder and mason.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00In Morecambe, Barbara McQuirk had stumbled into the cowboy trap
0:23:00 > 0:23:04when she called in a plumber to transform her ageing bathroom
0:23:04 > 0:23:07into a beautiful, shiny shower room.
0:23:07 > 0:23:13But her dreams were flushed away when after paying £2,500
0:23:13 > 0:23:18to her callous cowboy, she was left with terrible tiles,
0:23:18 > 0:23:19pathetic pipework
0:23:19 > 0:23:22and potentially lethal electrics.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25You know, I really hate it when I hear about tradesmen
0:23:25 > 0:23:27taking advantage of elderly people,
0:23:27 > 0:23:31so I've asked independent chartered surveyor Roger Carradice
0:23:31 > 0:23:33to cast an eye over the work that's been carried out.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42- Roger, how are you?- Hi.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46- So what have you found, Roger, that is not to your liking?- The tiling.
0:23:46 > 0:23:47We've got grouting smeared
0:23:47 > 0:23:51in various places. It's not been cleaned off properly.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54We've got wide, 8-mil joints that are unusual
0:23:54 > 0:23:58for this type of fitting
0:23:58 > 0:24:01and some of the edges of the tiles have been damaged.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06The beading around the window reveal fits poorly.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10I also noticed there is no electrical bonding
0:24:10 > 0:24:13on any of the pipework, which I would have expected.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16So there's lots going on in here that's a problem.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19You also noted that there is a problem outside.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21- Shall we go out and take a look?- Sure.
0:24:21 > 0:24:27Roger's spotted that the bathroom waste-water pipes don't discharge into the outside drain.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Yeah, I can see what you mean.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- That is a real problem, isn't it? - It is.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36The white pipe discharges into nowhere
0:24:36 > 0:24:41and it's going to splash on this guard and just flood the path.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45No thought has been given to the arrangement of this. It's very poor.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49What mark out of ten would you give these guys for the work they carried out?
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Well, basically it's pretty poor, I'd say round about three.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57But the finishing, really, falls well short of what you'd expect.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02Three out of ten, Roger, is what it will be. Roger-Roger, I agree with you.
0:25:02 > 0:25:03Thank you.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08Roger's report is a crucial piece of information. It's time for action.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13On the face of it, this is a working bathroom - toilet, sink, shower, no problem at all.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15However, now we've found the electrical problems,
0:25:15 > 0:25:17I'm going to need to cordon this area off.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20I'm going to class it as a no-go zone
0:25:20 > 0:25:24and I believe it's time to bring on the good guys.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40- Ah, here are ye's. How are you, Robert? I'm Clive. - Pleased to meet you.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43What have you seen that's not to your liking?
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Well it's quite general, really,
0:25:46 > 0:25:50There's nothing I can see that I would deem to be at acceptable.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53The ceiling isn't good.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55The tiles are not brilliant.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59So there are lots of items you could discuss at length.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02What is your major plan? What are you going to do?
0:26:02 > 0:26:06We've got to get rid of everything here. The next thing is to take the ceiling down.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10We need to see how those lights have been fixed
0:26:10 > 0:26:14and then we'll take up the flooring. We'll take the tiles off the walls.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Depending on what we find below these tiles,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19if the wall is suitable to re-tile, we'll use it.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22OK, listen, it's great to have you on board.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26I can't wait to show Barbara what the good guys are capable of.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29- I'm sure she'll have a cracking bathroom by the time you finish. - Thank you.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31I'll let you carry on, squire.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37We're travelling back to Aberdeenshire
0:26:37 > 0:26:41where Doris and Gordon Reid were left with a wall full of woe
0:26:41 > 0:26:43when they fell into the cowboy trap.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47They paid their landscaper more than three grand
0:26:47 > 0:26:50for a turfed lawn, patio, fence and perimeter wall.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54But less than two years on, their wall is crumbling,
0:26:54 > 0:26:56cracked and is a threat to passers-by
0:26:56 > 0:27:02and local children, who use the access road every day.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05I've looked at this job and it's pretty poor, to say the least.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07You don't have to take my word for it.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10I've asked independent chartered surveyor Graeme Bowie
0:27:10 > 0:27:12to come along and view it for himself.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Let's find out what he thinks.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24- How are you? I'm Clive. - Graeme Bowie, how are you? - Very well, sir.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28You've had a chance to look at it. What is your opinion?
0:27:28 > 0:27:32The quality of the whole wall is really sub-standard.
0:27:32 > 0:27:33The most important thing
0:27:33 > 0:27:36when you're building anything is you get a good foundation.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40That won't hold up the wall for any substantial period.
0:27:40 > 0:27:46- One of the important things missing from this wall is it's got no piers to brace it.- Yeah.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50It's about 25 metres long without any brace for stability.
0:27:50 > 0:27:55Piers are pillar-like structures that support walls.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58So if you are building a wall, take my advice.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Place piers at least every six metres.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06The number needed will depend on the wall's height and length.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Now, in terms of the work that you've seen here, do you believe
0:28:09 > 0:28:12it's been carried out by somebody who knows what they're doing?
0:28:12 > 0:28:14With the amount of things wrong,
0:28:14 > 0:28:19I wouldn't think it's been done by somebody who is a qualified builder or mason.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23If you could give this guy a mark out of ten, what would you give?
0:28:23 > 0:28:27- Probably a two.- A two?! I tell you what, that's about all it deserves.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34In my opinion, this wall is completely unsafe
0:28:34 > 0:28:37so I'm taping the area off, classing it is a no-go zone.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41The only people allowed past it are myself and the good guys.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Talking of which, it's time to bring them on.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48I've called in local builder James Fairley and his team,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51who are tooled up and ready to leap into action.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55You've looked at the wall, but tell us what your plan is.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58I don't think there's any hope of saving any of this wall.
0:28:58 > 0:28:59It's all got to come down.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02We've got to probably use a digger
0:29:02 > 0:29:04to remove the existing concrete.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- I won't call them foundations. - They're not foundations.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11We'll build a single-leaf wall with piers,
0:29:11 > 0:29:14which are thickenings, every four metres.
0:29:14 > 0:29:20Great that you're with us and getting on with the job. I'm sure it will have a cracking finish.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Well played, squire, I'll leave you to it. Cheers, James.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28James and his team have a big job on their hands -
0:29:28 > 0:29:31knocking down and starting all over again.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34Doris and Gordon are chipping in to meet the cost.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38They want to make sure that this wall is built to last.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43Later, how will Doris and Gordon's new wall stand up to inspection?
0:29:43 > 0:29:48So, so happy now. Just brilliant. Thank you so, so much.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Back in Morecambe, Barbara McQuirk had been led
0:29:55 > 0:29:57into a costly cowboy trap.
0:29:57 > 0:29:58Barbara's simple dream
0:29:58 > 0:30:02was to have a new shower room with easy-access facilities.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06It should have made living with arthritis less troublesome.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10But after paying £2,500 to a dodgy contractor,
0:30:10 > 0:30:15she was left with nothing more than a bodge-job bathroom.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20We brought in the good guys to help her out.
0:30:21 > 0:30:26Since arriving, they've ripped out the rotten tiles
0:30:26 > 0:30:30and sorted the shower, installing a shiny new one for Barbara.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34They've even put right the pipework for the outside drain,
0:30:34 > 0:30:36and they're still hard at it.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40But the job's not all been plain sailing.
0:30:40 > 0:30:45Robert and the boys found some potentially shocking surprises.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48The suspended ceiling was taken down.
0:30:48 > 0:30:55We found an original pulse-switch shower, which was still live.
0:30:55 > 0:31:00The electric cable had been cut off in the loft area,
0:31:00 > 0:31:06but hadn't been terminated with either a connection or tape,
0:31:06 > 0:31:11so that the exposed end of the cable was still live.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13If anybody were to touch it in that area,
0:31:13 > 0:31:14they would've got a shock.
0:31:14 > 0:31:19Barbara's reckless cowboys had put her life at risk.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23It's time to take those bodging builders to task.
0:31:23 > 0:31:28Barbara, when was the last time you had any conversation with your builder?
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Must have been four weeks afterwards.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- And that was the last time you ever had any contact?- Yes.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38- Can you remember how that conversation went?- He was sad
0:31:38 > 0:31:42because his girlfriend had left him and he might have to sell his house.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45I tell you what, these sob stories they give you on the phone,
0:31:45 > 0:31:48you have to supply the violin, don't you?
0:31:48 > 0:31:50- I do.- And accompany them.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52THEY HUM A MOURNFUL TUNE
0:31:54 > 0:31:56That's usually the case.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58If you had the opportunity to speak to him
0:31:58 > 0:32:02and you'd got a couple of questions uppermost in your mind, what would they be?
0:32:02 > 0:32:06Don't tell me a yarn, because I'm not in for it.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08And I've learnt a lot since then.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11We have to give him a chance to reply.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15It's his chance of a right of reply.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17We make a phone call. If you just sit tight
0:32:17 > 0:32:19and then I'm going to make the phone call now.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23HE CLEARS HIS THROAT
0:32:24 > 0:32:26It's gone to answerphone.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30Hello, this is Clive Holland from BBC One's Cowboy Trap.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34I'm with Barbara McQuirk in Morecambe.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36I want to put a few questions to you.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38A couple that Barbara had got first of all was
0:32:38 > 0:32:43why did you constantly sell her a yarn, as she puts it?
0:32:43 > 0:32:47But what I'm more bothered about is that you were the main contractor
0:32:47 > 0:32:50and you then decided, because you weren't a tiler,
0:32:50 > 0:32:55you brought in somebody who was a tiler. Now, with you being the main contractor,
0:32:55 > 0:32:58you have to make sure the sub-contractors you bring in
0:32:58 > 0:33:01are people who are qualified to do the job.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05Then, you also advised an electrician that could come in to do the work.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09This is where it's really scary, because we've got a problem
0:33:09 > 0:33:13with a shower cable that was just cut off, that was actually live.
0:33:13 > 0:33:18They're the things we're really concerned about. Thanks very much, bye.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20Straight to answerphone.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24What's your feeling about that, the fact that he's gone to ground now?
0:33:24 > 0:33:25Par for the course.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29Those sort of people. He'll start somewhere else.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36We did eventually track down Barbara's plumber.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40He claims his pipework was good and also thought the tiles were fine.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44As for the electrics, which put Barbara's life at risk,
0:33:44 > 0:33:46he couldn't comment.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53At least Robert and his team have now made everything safe.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55They've finished working their magic
0:33:55 > 0:33:57and I can't wait to sneak a peek.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03# What a difference a week makes! # Yeah.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09That's what I'm talking about. Straight away, it's really clean,
0:34:09 > 0:34:11Nice, clean lines. The tiling job is great.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15You've got no little nicks here and there, no bits of tiles wedged in.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19We've got new linoleum. Loving that as well.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Now, something's changed.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Ah! I know. There was boxing down there.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30It looked like it was there for no reason. That's much better. OK.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Well, we're liking that.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37Hey. Tipper-most of the topper-most!
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Now, that shower room looks great
0:34:43 > 0:34:47and it's now more akin to what Barbara's dream was made of.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50So let's find out what she thinks of it.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57Now, come with me, Barbara,
0:34:57 > 0:35:01- into the hallway.- Right, I'm coming. I can't wait.- You can't wait?
0:35:01 > 0:35:05Neither can I. I've seen it and I still can't wait!
0:35:05 > 0:35:07But before we take a look at your lovely new shower room,
0:35:07 > 0:35:11just describe to me what it was like before we arrived.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14Do I have to go there? It was horrible.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17- It was driving me up the tiles! - Driving you up the tiles. I like it.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21When you go into that new shower room, what are you hoping for?
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Things fitted properly and no holes around the outlets
0:35:24 > 0:35:27and things like that. Anything could have got through.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30I want you to give it a good inspection.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32- I want it to pass the Barbara test.- Right.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35So are you ready to go in and take a look at your shower room?
0:35:35 > 0:35:37I can't wait.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40Let's go. Right. After you.
0:35:40 > 0:35:41- Are you ready?- Yes.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45- Go take a look at your new shower room, Barbara.- Wow.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51You did good. Hee!
0:35:51 > 0:35:55- How good is that?- Brilliant.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58What about all this? And all the tiles,
0:35:58 > 0:36:00your sanitary wares here.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02Oh, it's neater, too.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Oh. Oh, lovely!
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Because it's lowered down now.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12This is the floor, isn't it?
0:36:12 > 0:36:17- See where that box section was there? That's all gone. - It's a lot better. Yes.
0:36:17 > 0:36:22- Oh, I could get a chest of drawers in there, put my things in. - You could.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- You can make use of that space now, can't you?- I will do.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27The floor's really good.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31There were dangerous electrics in the roof, so that's been sorted.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35But, to me, it looks like a totally different room. Clean lines.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39Remarkable, to what it was. Oh, it's got new things on here, as well.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Oh, it's beautiful.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45'But there's still something missing for Barbara.'
0:36:45 > 0:36:47I can't wait for a shower. No-one to wash my back.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51Ah, Eh, never mind. But generally you're happy?
0:36:51 > 0:36:52Oh, I'm delighted.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55What will it allow you to do? Has it given you an incentive...
0:36:55 > 0:36:59- Get up and have a shower and start the day fresh.- Yeah.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01A score out of ten, what would you give it?
0:37:01 > 0:37:04- 11.- 11?! That's what we want.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06Yeah. I'm so happy.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10- Oh.- Good. Good, I'm pleased for you, Barbara.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12- Thank you.- Really chuffed for you.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15I want you to enjoy this new shower room of yours.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19And, hopefully, you'll never get any more cowboy builders coming in.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21No, because you told me what to do.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23I'm going to leave you to have a wander around
0:37:23 > 0:37:27and a nosy round and enjoy what you see. You look after yourself
0:37:27 > 0:37:30Now, I'll leave you with a nice new, sparkling shower room.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33- I'll sit on the seat. - Go one, have a sit down.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37- What a super-shiny result. - Goody, goody.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41This beautiful bathroom will make Barbara's life much easier.
0:37:41 > 0:37:42Job done.
0:37:46 > 0:37:51In Aberdeenshire, Doris and Gordon Reid are waiting patiently to see if
0:37:51 > 0:37:55their bodge-job wall has been transformed
0:37:55 > 0:37:58from crumbling catastrophe into an upright result.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Before I reveal all,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05I want to check in with head builder James to see how they're getting on.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08Tell us what you've actually done so far.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12After the foundations, obviously, we got the wall up.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15That's the easy bit, to be honest.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18Then we put the coping stone on.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22So, block went up, Copers on. Scratch coat.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25Scratch coat. We were careful to seal up underneath,
0:38:25 > 0:38:28so the scratch coat actually seals to the stones,
0:38:28 > 0:38:30so no water can get in the crack.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32I reckon this is going to look cracking.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35It already does look great as it is,
0:38:35 > 0:38:38but we know first and foremost, it's been built correctly.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42- I'm going to stand back and do what I do best and that's watch.- Great.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44James, brilliant job, sir.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47Congratulations to you and all the boys. Keep it up. Fantastic.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50- Thank you.- Well done, James.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55'While the good guys finish off this top job,
0:38:55 > 0:38:59'I want to help Doris and Gordon put their cowboy builder
0:38:59 > 0:39:01'and this whole sorry saga behind them.'
0:39:01 > 0:39:05If you had an opportunity to speak to him now,
0:39:05 > 0:39:08what questions would you like to ask him?
0:39:08 > 0:39:13I would want to know why he hasn't lived up to his responsibilities.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18So, with that in mind, what we want to do is to make a phone call
0:39:18 > 0:39:22- and give him the opportunity of a right of reply.- Yeah.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26- Are we therefore ready to go for it? - Yes.- Here we go.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28I'll hand that to you, Gordon.
0:39:28 > 0:39:34'It's no surprise when Gordon's call goes straight to the builder's voicemail.'
0:39:34 > 0:39:38It's Gordon Reid from Laurencekirk here, I would like to have a chat with you.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Is there any possibility you could give us a call back?
0:39:40 > 0:39:42Thank you.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45Obviously, he tends not to answer the phone.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47In terms of the job he carried out,
0:39:47 > 0:39:51that was a poor one, there's no two ways about that.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54But I can't wait to show you later
0:39:54 > 0:39:58exactly what quality workmen can do.
0:39:59 > 0:40:04Our office also tried to contact the Reids' cowardly cowboy.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08So far, we've had no response, either to our calls or letter.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10But there are good guys out there.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14And before I show the couple what they can do,
0:40:14 > 0:40:15I want to sneak a quick look.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19Do you know what? I think I'm well chuffed with that.
0:40:19 > 0:40:20It's a top, top wall.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24I think it's time to go and see what Doris and Gordon make of it.
0:40:24 > 0:40:25Come on.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31James and his team have done a super job and, at long last,
0:40:31 > 0:40:35Doris and Gordon's wait for their dream home is over.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39I'm looking forward to showing them the garden wall they've always wanted.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44- Are you ready to go and take a look at it?- Yes.- Yeah?
0:40:44 > 0:40:46- Come on. Follow me.- OK.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48I can't wait to show you this.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55When you look at the wall as it was before
0:40:55 > 0:40:57and you look at it now, it is a wall!
0:40:57 > 0:40:59- SHE LAUGHS - It is a wall!
0:40:59 > 0:41:03You know, really what we had wasn't a wall.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05- You've actually got foundations. - Yeah.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09You've got pier supports, which you didn't have before
0:41:09 > 0:41:11and you've also got expansion units, as well,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14- on the actual roughcast itself.- Mm.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17They've done a fantastic job.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21- It was a real pain, that wall was before.- I know. I know.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23It caused us a lot of heartache, that did.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26- I really hope this is the dream wall you wanted.- Yeah.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30- It finishes off the garden. - It complements that view.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32A nice glass of wine to toast it.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34I think that's a great idea.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37- But I can see you're happy. - Oh, just so pleased!
0:41:37 > 0:41:40- And that's the most important thing.- So, so happy now.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Just brilliant. Thank you so, so much.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47- Absolute pleasure. I'll give you a little hug and a squeeze.- Ah, thank you.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51It's great to see you. I really wish you the best of luck.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53I'll just shake hands with you! LAUGHTER
0:41:53 > 0:41:56- And I wanted a hug from you, Gordon! - No chance.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58You won't get that.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01I'm going to love you and leave you, best of luck to you
0:42:01 > 0:42:06and enjoy this fantastic garden and beautiful view.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11Doris and Gordon now have a garden wall to be proud of.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15It's fine, upstanding and built to last, just like me!
0:42:17 > 0:42:21They certainly seem pleased with the work, so I'll toast to that.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24Doris and Gordon have now got a cracking wall
0:42:24 > 0:42:26that finishes off their garden nicely.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28But my job isn't over yet.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32I've got all the information we've collated on their cowboy builder.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36I've got that right here in my file and I will take it to the Trading Standards office.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39And, remember, all you cowboy builders out there,
0:42:39 > 0:42:42we're on your trail.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44If you've had a problem with builders
0:42:44 > 0:42:47and you'd like to tell your story on Cowboy Trap,
0:42:47 > 0:42:49then please call us on...
0:42:57 > 0:42:58Or send us an e-mail...
0:43:02 > 0:43:04Help us round up the cowboys.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd