0:00:08 > 0:00:12Today, I'm in Telford on the trail of more cowboy builders,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15who have no regard for your property, your safety
0:00:15 > 0:00:18or your circumstances. And they'll stop at nothing
0:00:18 > 0:00:20to con you out of your cash.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25They had the 5,000 and I had nothing to show for it,
0:00:25 > 0:00:27that was the trouble.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29I'm going to give you loads of hints
0:00:29 > 0:00:33and tips on how to stop these cowboy builders getting into your home.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Me and me wife done some investigation
0:00:35 > 0:00:38to see where this builder lived. And I found out where he was.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Then we done some more digging with the Trading Standards
0:00:41 > 0:00:43and they said, "Not him again."
0:00:43 > 0:00:45With the help of the good guys,
0:00:45 > 0:00:48we'll put right the mess those cowboy builders leave behind.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51We'll just have to rip it up. Start from scratch.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54Don't really want to put my work on top of that.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57I think it's time we showed these bodging builders the door,
0:00:57 > 0:01:01and you how to avoid falling into the Cowboy Trap.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12I get loads of correspondence from people telling me
0:01:12 > 0:01:15how cowboy builders ruin people's lives.
0:01:15 > 0:01:19And this next story is a total rip-off!
0:01:19 > 0:01:23'74-year-old Donald Pearce and his younger brother William
0:01:23 > 0:01:25'live here in the small village
0:01:25 > 0:01:27'of Trench in Telford.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31'They've happily shared this small bungalow since 1966,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34'but now there's a problem.'
0:01:34 > 0:01:39Don has long had a passion for collecting scale model vehicles.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41He has 1,000 in his collection so far,
0:01:41 > 0:01:45and he's running out of space to keep them.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47That is me pride and joy, that is.
0:01:47 > 0:01:52Took a few years to collect them. Took quite a bit of money
0:01:52 > 0:01:58to get them. Like I said, very expensive, some of them things are.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05'Donald has hundreds of boxes stuffed with lorries and trucks,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08'piled high in his wardrobe and attic.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11'There's literally no room to move.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15'His passion for transport memorabilia all started
0:02:15 > 0:02:18'when he worked as a driver for the council.'
0:02:19 > 0:02:25I was there 27 years. Like I said, I've drove different wagons.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30The little pick-ups, the big refuse wagons,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33and the tankers. It's quite interesting, really,
0:02:33 > 0:02:40how the mechanical side of them works, and that's how I got interested,
0:02:40 > 0:02:44so I thought I'd start collecting them about 14 years ago,
0:02:44 > 0:02:4714, 15 years ago.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51'With his collection outgrowing the house,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54'Donald drew up plans to display them properly.
0:02:54 > 0:03:00'He wanted a simple glass-roofed extension on his bedroom.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03'After hunting through the local paper,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06'he and his brother found a builder.'
0:03:06 > 0:03:11The next part makes me angrier. The builder asked for £5,000 up front.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14The whole job was a quote of £7,000 in the first place.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18And when the builder stopped turning up, the job was left unfinished,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21and that left the brothers in a building nightmare.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26'Not only that, the building turned out to be unfit and unsafe.'
0:03:26 > 0:03:31It seemed all right and then you could stand away from it
0:03:31 > 0:03:35and you could see the walls wasn't level.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39We went and leaned against it and you could just feel it give.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42There was no wall ties or nothing at all in it.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Felt really bad-tempered about that for a week or two.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50I was getting despondent over it, then.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54'Disappointed, Donald lost himself in another hobby.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58'But neighbours Dave and Wendy Carpenter could see the effect
0:03:58 > 0:04:01'this cowboy builder had had on him.'
0:04:01 > 0:04:02Don is very trusting.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06Although he had an inkling that things weren't right,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09he probably thought, "Maybe I'll give him a chance."
0:04:09 > 0:04:13And this builder's just took advantage of him.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16He'll trust anyone with the last fiver, sort of thing, or penny.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18But I think it's really hurt him.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23'This is a heartbreaking story of two retired gents
0:04:23 > 0:04:26'who were taken in by a cowboy builder.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30'And how a man with a simple passion for trucks
0:04:30 > 0:04:33'and lorries was cruelly robbed of his dream.'
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Let's see if we can find out more
0:04:36 > 0:04:38and put things right for Don and William.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- Hello!- Good morning.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- You must be Don.- Yes. - How are you, Don? All right?
0:04:47 > 0:04:49I'm loving that smile, first of all.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53Usually where cowboy builders are concerned, we see sadness.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- I know.- Can you point me in the direction of where the problems are?
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- In the corner, round the back. - Round the back.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02While I go and have a look, you stick the kettle on.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- All right.- Cheers, Don.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09'What have we got here? No extension?
0:05:09 > 0:05:10'Just a pile of bricks.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12'This is like a jigsaw puzzle.'
0:05:12 > 0:05:13This looks pretty weird...
0:05:13 > 0:05:16'I'm going to have to work out what the builder was up to.'
0:05:16 > 0:05:18..to say the least.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Right, got to get my head round this somehow. Um...
0:05:21 > 0:05:24I can't quite get round why it's in this condition,
0:05:24 > 0:05:25because it almost certainly looks like
0:05:25 > 0:05:28these bricks have been laid, but have, uh...
0:05:28 > 0:05:29But have been knocked down.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32So, whether that's the builder or whether that's the homeowners,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34I'll have to find out.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37This looks like it's the boundary.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42And it looks like they've exceeded the boundary, which they can't do.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47If this was the damp course level, it's not high enough.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52You need at least six inches from the base to your damp course.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54And that is too low.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58So remember: If you're having a building constructed,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01make sure a damp course is installed.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05A damp course is a barrier in a wall
0:06:05 > 0:06:08designed to stop moisture rising through the brickwork.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12And it should be at least six inches above ground level.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Another thing that's confused me about this build
0:06:16 > 0:06:19is that I can see that we've got the inner leaf and the outer leaf -
0:06:19 > 0:06:22that's the inner wall, as you know by now, and the outer wall -
0:06:22 > 0:06:27and they need tying together, so it gives them strength, but I can't see any ties anywhere.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30So I'm going to guess there's no ties in this, either.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32So that means those two walls have been independent,
0:06:32 > 0:06:36that they've built, and, obviously, could fall down at any time.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39'And except for a few mortar marks,
0:06:39 > 0:06:43'there is no evidence that it's even been securely fixed
0:06:43 > 0:06:47'to the exterior wall of the house. And that's not all.'
0:06:47 > 0:06:48Look at this.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52I mean, this, again, really, is bonkers.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54The mortar is directly...
0:06:54 > 0:06:57That is fixed, that mortar, so they have laid bricks here,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00and they've laid it over this waste pipe.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04What were they going to do when it came to the rainwater pipe?
0:07:04 > 0:07:06I haven't got a clue.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12So, what did the brothers get for their five grand?
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Well, they got the beginning of an extension
0:07:15 > 0:07:18that wasn't even tied into the existing building.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23They got...two piers of brick, the internal leaf and the external leaf,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26that weren't actually tied together with ties.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30They got a building that was going over a waste pipe.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32It was totally unbelievable
0:07:32 > 0:07:35and there's still mortar marking the spot right now.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38The damp course, in the wrong place.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42The actual concrete slab, no insulation or very little.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Or at least not the proper stuff that should be in there.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49In total, what they got was...
0:07:49 > 0:07:50a wreck.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54I'm still puzzled as to what this builder was up to
0:07:54 > 0:07:59and why we now have a pile of bricks and not an extension.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02The only man with the answers is Don.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Hi, Clive. How's it looking?
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Well, I tell you what, it's looking Don-Don-Don-Don...
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- Don-Don-Don-Don-DON...dangerous. - Dangerous, then?- Look out for that,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15because inspection hole's been dug
0:08:15 > 0:08:18to check for footings there, of course,
0:08:18 > 0:08:21but it is pretty dangerous around here, joking aside.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26Wh...What I want to know is, what has actually gone on, Don?
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- Why is it all rubble?- He just dug the footings out and built it.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- I knocked it down.- You knocked it down?- I knocked it down.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36And when I knocked it, you could feel the give.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38So there was no strength with the ties...?
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- There were no ties at all. - No ties in the cavity?- No.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45How was he bonding it to the property, though?
0:08:45 > 0:08:47- To the existing property? - Just mortar, I suppose.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51So those mortar lines are just purely...
0:08:51 > 0:08:52Cementing.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54That's just purely mortar
0:08:54 > 0:08:57he's hoping will bond to the existing building?
0:08:59 > 0:09:00HE SIGHS
0:09:00 > 0:09:03'I can't believe what I'm hearing.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08'This 74-year-old pensioner had to demolish his own extension
0:09:08 > 0:09:11'because it moved when he touched it.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16'Without ties between the inner and outer walls,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18'or anything securing it to the house,
0:09:18 > 0:09:22'it's a miracle this extension stayed up at all.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25'And what's going on with that rainwater pipe?'
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Right, so this is where I'm sort of getting confused.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Because you've got a rainwater pipe, here.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- Yeah.- He couldn't have built round the rainwater pipe
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- cos I can see he's built round the waste.- That's right.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40I put all that round after I knocked the wall down to go into the drain
0:09:40 > 0:09:44cos he put the rainwater gutter across the top of the wall.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48Flat. It was going on ours and next door.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Donald's got the right idea, here. Without proper guttering,
0:09:54 > 0:10:00you could cause water damage to your property, which can be costly.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03The most common reason for this is blocked guttering,
0:10:03 > 0:10:04but it's simple to sort out.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13I'm off to Warrington to a specialist building college
0:10:13 > 0:10:16where they teach up-and-coming building professionals
0:10:16 > 0:10:20the skills they need to do work the way it should be done.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25So, here I am with John. Now, John, your role here is as a tutor
0:10:25 > 0:10:29- for level two and level three plumbing.- That's correct, yeah.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Something that happens to a lot of gutters
0:10:31 > 0:10:34when you're standing looking at properties,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37you see grass spouting up, you've got leaf mulch
0:10:37 > 0:10:40and whatever else in there and the water seems to be tipping over.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41That's right, yeah.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Now, it's important to realise
0:10:43 > 0:10:46that you can't put a ladder up against plastic guttering
0:10:46 > 0:10:47cos it'll just crush it.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51What you can buy from virtually all the DIY sheds these days
0:10:51 > 0:10:53are stand-off brackets.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56They attach themselves to your aluminium ladder
0:10:56 > 0:10:59and then they sit against the wall, so it means you can go up
0:10:59 > 0:11:02and above the guttering. Easier to work from, as well.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Brilliant. You can take your bucket.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Thank you. Can I ask you to foot the ladder?
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Indeed. I'll be happy to do that, sir.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13Now, always remember, when you're footing the ladder,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16don't nip off for a cup of tea. Could be lethal.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- So, it's a matter of scooping it out.- Look at that.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- I reckon there's even a carrot in there.- Possibly.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25OK. So, once that's all scooped out,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28you'd then just move your ladder along.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32So, to test that guttering, would you take a watering can up
0:11:32 > 0:11:34and maybe just pour it into the gutter
0:11:34 > 0:11:36to see if you've got the flow of water down to the downspout?
0:11:36 > 0:11:38You've got two purposes.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41One that shows that the gutter's on a fall, but also,
0:11:41 > 0:11:43any silt or small debris that's left in the gutter
0:11:43 > 0:11:46should actually come along the gutter with the fall
0:11:46 > 0:11:48and down the downspout and away,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51so it'd clear the gutter out more or less completely.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Now, the one thing you CAN get from the DIY store is a bird's nest.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56It's like a crosshatch
0:11:56 > 0:11:59and that sits at the top of the downspout inside the guttering
0:11:59 > 0:12:02and it stops any leaf mulch gathering and going down.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05It's a great little item and really, it's quite cheap, as well.
0:12:05 > 0:12:06All right, let's see.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15So, there's the water.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19We have got a little bit of silt coming out, but it's perfect.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Back in Telford, Donald is counting the cost
0:12:22 > 0:12:24of falling into the Cowboy Trap.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28He's spent £5,000 of his life savings
0:12:28 > 0:12:32on an extension, only to have to demolish it.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37And what's more, he's had to do a DIY plumbing job
0:12:37 > 0:12:41on the guttering to stop water flooding his neighbour's garden.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46The other problem I've got here - is this his original damp course?
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- Yeah.- It's not high enough. - No, it's got to go level with that.
0:12:50 > 0:12:56So, that's wrong. In real terms, then, this is now just a bomb site.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01- In the meantime, how did you get on with that kettle?- All right.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- Come on, then. Let's go and have a cuppa, son.- It boiled right. - After you.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11This is a classic cowboy job.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15I'm not surprised Donald had to knock his extension down,
0:13:15 > 0:13:17but to get my head around this,
0:13:17 > 0:13:22I need to take a look at Donald's truck collection myself.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Wow!
0:13:25 > 0:13:28I'm nosey, but I tell you what,
0:13:28 > 0:13:33this is definitely a boy's dream.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36That is amazing. They're everywhere.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Now I'm beginning to understand Donald's passion.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41That is an amazing collection, Donald.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46- Yeah, I've got some more in the bedroom you can have a look at. - What, more than that?
0:13:46 > 0:13:51- Yeah.- Let's have a look. Cor blimey, I can't believe it!
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Ooh, I see. Right above the bed.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- Have you built cabinets, as well?- Yeah.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05You see, the thing is, you look like a real good craftsman.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11So, what are we doing looking in the old...? Oh, come on! Look at that lot!
0:14:11 > 0:14:15It's like a motor vehicle version of Narnia.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18There's got to be another at least hundred boxes in there or more.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- Probably about 300-400. - I tell you what,
0:14:22 > 0:14:26I'm really chuffed, now. I understand.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32What an amazing collection. But this is tragic.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34All Donald wanted in his retirement
0:14:34 > 0:14:37was a home for his lorries and trucks.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40But after the botched job of a heartless builder,
0:14:40 > 0:14:44his cherished collection remains boxed up.
0:14:44 > 0:14:50It's time to find out how Donald fell into this Cowboy Trap.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- How did you go about finding that builder?- In the journal.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- Local paper?- Yeah.
0:14:56 > 0:15:02- And you found a builder?- Yes. - And...what happened next?
0:15:02 > 0:15:08I just wanted somebody to come and give me a quote to do it.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11And what was your first impression of him
0:15:11 > 0:15:13when he came through the door?
0:15:13 > 0:15:17Well, the first time he came, he seemed all right
0:15:17 > 0:15:20and then he gave me the price,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23so I said no, that was too dear.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27I said, "I'll leave it and get another quote,"
0:15:27 > 0:15:30and then, I saw it in the paper again.
0:15:30 > 0:15:37- The same guy?- The same guy, but he'd got a different advert.
0:15:37 > 0:15:44- Not a different company name, though?- He had a different company to what it was the first time.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49Now, I have to say that if you found that this is the same number...
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- I would imagine same telephone number, was it?- Yes.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- ..but a different name all of a sudden?- That's right.
0:15:55 > 0:16:01I've got to just say to everybody at home, now,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04that if that's occurring and it's a different name...
0:16:04 > 0:16:05- Yeah.- ..be wary.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Oh, I see.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Remember, if you have a builder's number
0:16:12 > 0:16:15and discover he's trading under several different company names,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17then stay away.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22- So, was it a shock to you when he came the second time?- It was a bit.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24When I saw him get here, I said to my brother,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27"It's the same bloke as come the first time."
0:16:27 > 0:16:32- So, he'd have known it's the same job. You were asking for the same job, weren't you?- Yeah.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- So, he knew that before he quoted, what was it, ten grand?- Yeah.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- And he knew that that was too expensive, obviously.- Yeah.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- So, now, he's come in, sharpening his pencil.- That's right.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46Comes through the door, you say, "You were the guy from before.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48"Why have you changed your company name?"
0:16:48 > 0:16:51He came down all smiles and that, put his hand up
0:16:51 > 0:16:54and I asked him then and he sat there, he said,
0:16:54 > 0:16:59"I'll give you a quote in two or three days."
0:16:59 > 0:17:03Next morning, my brother said, "There's a letter in the box."
0:17:03 > 0:17:06That bloke, he'd gone home and quoted it,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08then brought it back the same night.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- You opened it up, you had a look, what was the quote?- 7,000.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- So, three grand less, all of a sudden?- Yeah.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19- How did he want paying?- I told him I'd pay in cash, when he asked.
0:17:19 > 0:17:25He said I'd pay for when he did each job.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- So, stages? Pay in stages.- Yeah.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- So, did he ask for money up front? - Yes, he did.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35This guy was taking money for what reason?
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- What was he taking the money for? - I don't know.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Did he not say what he wanted it for?
0:17:41 > 0:17:46- He'd got it on the list, all the... - Materials and things?- Yeah.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- But is he saying...? - He never brought none.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Like I said, he got the bricks...
0:17:53 > 0:17:57..and then I had the damp course.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02Them blocks were mine and he used 75 of them
0:18:02 > 0:18:05and the membrane was mine because I was,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08like I said, going to have a go myself and I thought
0:18:08 > 0:18:11I didn't want to cos of getting up in the roof.
0:18:11 > 0:18:19- So, he's now using your blocks, he's using your damp course.- Yeah.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- Is he using your membrane, as well? - Yeah.- The damp-proof membrane?
0:18:23 > 0:18:27- That's all yours?- Yeah, that was all mine.- Was that set out
0:18:27 > 0:18:30in the original deal, that he would use your materials?
0:18:30 > 0:18:34No. Like I told him, "Use the blocks to get them out of my road."
0:18:34 > 0:18:36But you're saving him money.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39He should have said to you or you - you're shrewd enough,
0:18:39 > 0:18:43you should have said to him, "Well, that'll bring my bill down."
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- I ought to have done.- You've missed a trick there. I'm surprised.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- I wasn't sharp enough.- You weren't!
0:18:48 > 0:18:52The critical thing is here that we have to point out is that
0:18:52 > 0:18:56- he is taking advantage. - That's right.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59There's no doubt in my mind. That's my personal opinion.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03When was the big first alarm bell for you when he started to build?
0:19:03 > 0:19:08When he started to go up and he had no ties on. He said, "I'm going home.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11"I'll bring some back with me." But he didn't do that.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Can't believe it. There's no way in this world and you know this,
0:19:15 > 0:19:20- that this guy should have been building without ties. - No. I knew that.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25Here's another lesson for you.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Wall ties are metal rods
0:19:27 > 0:19:31that keep the inner and outer walls of a building together.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Without them, it could fall down.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37If you're worried your builder is not using them,
0:19:37 > 0:19:41consult your local building control department.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45He came back with some of them bits of twisty wires.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Well, like I said, in the top two course of them blocks,
0:19:48 > 0:19:53he put some of them long screws like you screw the windows to the wall.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58That's all he put, about three of them in the last couple of courses.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- That's not going to meet regs.- No.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03No way in the world is that going to do that.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08So, majority of it, we're saying, has got nothing to tie it?
0:20:08 > 0:20:10- Nothing to tie it at all. - To tie them together.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14Were you saying to him, "This doesn't look right"?
0:20:14 > 0:20:16I never said nothing.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18I thought, "Why tell him?"
0:20:18 > 0:20:23- But even though you could see with your eyes?- I should have done. - Looking back in hindsight,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26you should have said, "Stop this build.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- "You don't know what you're doing." - I should have.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35By now, it was two weeks into the build
0:20:35 > 0:20:40and Donald had handed over 5,000 of the £7,000 quoted.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44He had foundations, a damp course and a half-completed extension.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47But he didn't have a contract of work
0:20:47 > 0:20:52or any of those essential wall ties between the inner and outer brickwork
0:20:52 > 0:20:56that could stop the building from falling down.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59It was then that the builder upped and left.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- Why did the builder not come back again?- He never said.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08Like I said, I rang him once to see if he was coming to do it
0:21:08 > 0:21:11or will I get somebody else?
0:21:11 > 0:21:14He never even picked the phone up or nothing.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18HE SIGHS
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- I just don't get it. - He'd either put the phone down
0:21:21 > 0:21:24or switch the phone off or he wouldn't answer.
0:21:24 > 0:21:29- It must have made you feel pretty sad, though.- Oh, it did.
0:21:29 > 0:21:35When you've got all that money and then to find out that it's...
0:21:35 > 0:21:39He never came back again. He never had no tools.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41He had my barrow to work with.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44He never had a barrow or nothing.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Do you think this guy's got any conscience at all about it?
0:21:49 > 0:21:52No, I don't think he has. I don't think he has.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56Donald's dream project was in ruins.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Not only was the extension unfinished,
0:21:59 > 0:22:04it was also unsafe so he demolished it - brick by brick.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06I did it myself.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10I took me...
0:22:10 > 0:22:13about three parts of a day to knock it down.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20Like I said... Like I said, knocking every brick out and block.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23And then piling it up.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27So I said that was the end of it then,
0:22:27 > 0:22:32after I'd knocked it down, I said I'd never bother.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35I can see exactly what the brothers had in mind.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37It should have been a simple job to do.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40What's more, it would have made a fantastic space.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47Donald hesitated about reporting his builder to Trading Standards,
0:22:47 > 0:22:51until his neighbours intervened.
0:22:51 > 0:22:52We went on holiday. We came back
0:22:52 > 0:22:57and Don said he's had the builders in and he hasn't seen them since.
0:22:57 > 0:23:03We come round and I thought, "What a load of...dodgy building going on."
0:23:03 > 0:23:07We started enquiries as to who the builder was, where he lived.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11I wrote a letter and it was delivered by hand
0:23:11 > 0:23:15asking him please would he come and finish the job
0:23:15 > 0:23:20and if not, could we have some money back that had been paid?
0:23:20 > 0:23:23I don't think he answered that letter.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27He might have rang Don and said he would come back but then he didn't.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31We then wrote another letter on the advice of Citizens Advice,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33recorded it and sent it to him.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36Again, no reply from that letter.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39We did some more digging with the Trading Standards,
0:23:39 > 0:23:41and they said, "Not him again."
0:23:41 > 0:23:46Trading Standards discovered there are ten County Court Judgments
0:23:46 > 0:23:50against Donald's builder so it's unlikely he'll get his money back.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54According to fair trading officer Kathryn Wood,
0:23:54 > 0:23:56his case is worse than many.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Looking round here today, I would say
0:24:00 > 0:24:04that this is quite a bad case,
0:24:04 > 0:24:06for the amount of money that they have paid
0:24:06 > 0:24:09and for the amount of work they have done, it's not very nice.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13Here's her advice if you've had a similar experience.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18If you've got a problem with a cowboy builder,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21you need to try and contact
0:24:21 > 0:24:24the builder themselves to see if he can resolve it.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26If that doesn't work,
0:24:26 > 0:24:29contact the national helpline, which is Consumer Direct.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34Consumer Direct send all their details of complaints
0:24:34 > 0:24:36out to local Trading Standards.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39A local Trading Standards officer will monitor those calls.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43They will make sure to see whether or not there have been
0:24:43 > 0:24:46a number of calls against a particular builder.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50That will be investigated and appropriate action taken.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55In the meantime, Donald's extension lies in tatters.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59But I still want him to fulfil his dream.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01What would make you happy? What can we do?
0:25:02 > 0:25:04I'd like it done.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08That's what I'd like to happen.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11I think if you could finish the job off,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14give him something that he's paid for,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17so that he can extend his bedroom
0:25:17 > 0:25:21so he can get his vehicles out on display,
0:25:21 > 0:25:25that would make his day and bring the smile back on his face.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31It's time to do something about Donald's pile of bricks.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33There's just one small problem.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36He'd wanted his extension to have a glass roof.
0:25:36 > 0:25:42The cowboy builder failed to consult building regulations.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44If he had, he'd have found that
0:25:44 > 0:25:47glass roofs are only allowed on conservatories
0:25:47 > 0:25:50where doors separating them from the main dwelling
0:25:50 > 0:25:51keep the heat in.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54But extensions don't have partitioned doors
0:25:54 > 0:25:58so the roof must be solid and insulated to avoid heat loss.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02Make sure your builder checks the latest regs
0:26:02 > 0:26:03before starting work.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06To meet building regulations,
0:26:06 > 0:26:11Donald's extension will now have to have an insulated flat roof.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Normally at this stage, I'd say it's time to bring on
0:26:16 > 0:26:18the independent expert to assess the work,
0:26:18 > 0:26:20but as you can see, there is no building.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22It is just a pile of rubble
0:26:22 > 0:26:24but I'm still going to declare this a no-go zone,
0:26:24 > 0:26:28and say it is time to bring on the good guys.
0:26:30 > 0:26:31Leading the local builders today
0:26:31 > 0:26:33are Steve and his building partner Luke.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Hey, Steve. Is one sheet of paper big enough?!
0:26:40 > 0:26:43There is a lot to be done here.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45It is a total mess.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Give us a general overall view of your opinion.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50To be honest, a bit shoddy, not very good.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53He hasn't got a clue what he's doing, to be honest.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56The footings are pretty OK.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58We're going to strip it all off. Strip the base out,
0:26:58 > 0:27:01brick it up and put a new solid roof on it, a new flat roof.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04We're definitely saying that that glass roof is not allowed?
0:27:04 > 0:27:07It's definitely a no. It's classified as an extension now
0:27:07 > 0:27:09so it's got to be a solid flat roof.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12One thing that has raised its head,
0:27:12 > 0:27:14is the actual pad itself, the concrete.
0:27:14 > 0:27:18We're not sure that the correct insulation has been put in place.
0:27:18 > 0:27:24What's the remedial action if they've put ordinary insulation?
0:27:24 > 0:27:27We'll just have to rip it up and start from scratch.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29I don't want to put my work on top of that.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33Rip it all off. Proper insulation in the slab.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Listen, it's great to have the good guys on board, as usual.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40I'll leave you to it. Copious notes and I'll catch up with you later.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- Pleasure.- All right, Steve. Thank you.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48When Donald wanted an extension on his bedroom,
0:27:48 > 0:27:51he wasn't interested in views of the fish pond,
0:27:51 > 0:27:55he wanted more space to house his enormous model truck collection.
0:27:55 > 0:28:00Now we've got Steve and his team in to make that happen.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04The only thing salvageable from the original build are the footings.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06We're going to take up the old concrete slab, put down a new one
0:28:06 > 0:28:08with a proper thermal barrier,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11build the walls, put a thermal flat roof on,
0:28:11 > 0:28:15take down the interior wall and give Don that space he's longed for.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20As the builders get started, Donald's keen to show me
0:28:20 > 0:28:22another one of his hobbies.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25I tell you what, this looks like Fort Knox.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29There must be something pretty special going on in here.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Turns out he's a joiner.
0:28:39 > 0:28:40This is the workshop.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43This workshop is where he makes the cabinets
0:28:43 > 0:28:44showing off his collection.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46This really excites me!
0:28:46 > 0:28:49Now he's ready to start work on the new cabinets
0:28:49 > 0:28:50for his extension.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53It's one of them places a boy could live!
0:28:54 > 0:28:56Just the start, this is!
0:28:56 > 0:29:00I'd been collecting most of this since I come here in '66.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04This is the place where you can create.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06It just makes you want to do stuff, you know!
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Ah! It's incredible!
0:29:11 > 0:29:15Thanks for showing me but this has been a respite.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17What we've got to get on with is your building
0:29:17 > 0:29:19and get that sorted.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26As I leave Donald to get on with those cabinets,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29back at the bungalow, Steve and his team are steaming ahead,
0:29:29 > 0:29:33building the walls of the new extension.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36But getting this far hasn't been plain sailing.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40Even the foundations left by the cowboy builder
0:29:40 > 0:29:42turned out to be substandard.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45We've knocked down what was originally here.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48We've found a couple of problems with the footings.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52We had to rectify the situation. A bit of a setback,
0:29:52 > 0:29:56a couple of days extra but we're getting there now on target.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00Me and my partner Luke's going to get the roof on today.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Hopefully, get it all under cover by the weekend, with a bit of luck,
0:30:03 > 0:30:04as long as the weather keeps off.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10Thanks to Steve and Luke,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13there's now light at the end of a dark tunnel for Donald.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18After finding a builder in the paper and handing over £5,000
0:30:18 > 0:30:20of his life savings,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23his dream of an extension for his beloved truck collection
0:30:23 > 0:30:25ended with this...
0:30:27 > 0:30:28..a pile of rubble.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32Now, Steve and his team are rebuilding his shattered dream
0:30:32 > 0:30:35and putting a smile back on his face.
0:30:35 > 0:30:40I've got nothing to complain about. It's going well now.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43Like I said, it's been hanging about too long.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45I thought I would never get it done.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48I've got none of that rubble to look at.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51Like I said, you can't grumble about that.
0:30:51 > 0:30:57Donald's new home for his trucks is beginning to take shape.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00But there's still one more thing to do
0:31:00 > 0:31:04and that's to give Donald the opportunity to confront
0:31:04 > 0:31:07the cowboy builder on the phone.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12This is the bit that is usually not so nice.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14It's the time when we need to get answers
0:31:14 > 0:31:16from the cowboy builder.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20If you had an opportunity to speak to him,
0:31:20 > 0:31:22what would you like to say to him?
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Why he didn't finish it.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Why he took your money. Why he didn't finish it.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31What about his broken promises?
0:31:33 > 0:31:34Yeah. I could say that as well.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37He promised to keep coming back.
0:31:37 > 0:31:42Though I said I never want to speak to him again, anyhow.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44You never want to speak to him again,
0:31:44 > 0:31:47which answers my next question,
0:31:47 > 0:31:49which is I was going to give you the opportunity
0:31:49 > 0:31:51to speak to him on the phone,
0:31:51 > 0:31:54but if you don't want to take that opportunity,
0:31:54 > 0:31:55I certainly will.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- No, I don't want to speak to him.- OK.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00I never want to see him here.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Well, let's see how we go.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05RINGING TONE
0:32:05 > 0:32:08The answerphone should kick in.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12ANSWERPHONE: 'When you've left your message,
0:32:12 > 0:32:15'just hang up or for more options, press one at any time.'
0:32:15 > 0:32:20This is Clive, the presenter of Cowboy Trap on BBC One.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24I'm at the home of Donald Pearce in Trench, Telford.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28Erm, there were a few questions that we'd got for you,
0:32:28 > 0:32:32that we'd like you to answer. First of all,
0:32:32 > 0:32:37how could you leave two of the most fantastic people on the planet
0:32:37 > 0:32:38in such a mess,
0:32:38 > 0:32:42take their money and leave them with a substandard building?
0:32:42 > 0:32:46It is a real disgrace.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49I've got to be honest, I don't know how you guys sleep at night,
0:32:49 > 0:32:50I really don't.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53But it's your right of reply to come back to us
0:32:53 > 0:32:56and talk to us about things like the footings not being big enough,
0:32:56 > 0:32:59not being deep enough, not being wide enough.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02Why you didn't, when you built the extension
0:33:02 > 0:33:04or attempted to build the extension,
0:33:04 > 0:33:06didn't even tie it in to the existing building.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08It was a real danger.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11I'm sorry, but if you're still running around classing yourself
0:33:11 > 0:33:13as a builder, that's what concerns me.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17So I'd like you to get back in touch with our office as soon as possible,
0:33:17 > 0:33:22so that you can answer some of the allegations that we've got.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25They'll listen to that answerphone message,
0:33:25 > 0:33:27but the chances of them doing anything
0:33:27 > 0:33:29are a lot slimmer than me.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31- I have to tell you that.- Yeah.
0:33:31 > 0:33:36What pleases me now is the fact that we have had the good guys in
0:33:36 > 0:33:41to do the work on your property and put a smile back on your face,
0:33:41 > 0:33:43and I think that's the important thing.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46Despite repeated calls to the builder,
0:33:46 > 0:33:50there's been no response from him to our questions.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54The cowboy builder may have ripped Donald off
0:33:54 > 0:33:58and destroyed his longed-for dream, but now Steve and his team are here,
0:33:58 > 0:34:02and they've been working round-the-clock to finish the job.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08As Steve and Luke put the finishing touches to the extension,
0:34:08 > 0:34:11Donald's handiwork is also complete.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14I've made a cabinet to put me models in.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16To put 'em on the wall.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20Took me about three days to make it.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25I shall have some room now. The walls will be covered in cabinets.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Whether it'll have enough, I don't know!
0:34:28 > 0:34:29Would like to see that.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35If I don't get enough room, I'll have to stop buying on that.
0:34:35 > 0:34:40That cabinet will look great in the new extension.
0:34:40 > 0:34:41That's now finished,
0:34:41 > 0:34:44but it hasn't been straightforward for Steve and Luke.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48- Steve, Luke, how are you?- I'm not bad, how are you?- Hello, Clive. - I'm very well.
0:34:48 > 0:34:49Much better now!
0:34:49 > 0:34:53- This seems totally different! - Definitely looks the part.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56What am I talking about, "Seems different?" It is totally different!
0:34:56 > 0:34:59It's looking absolutely brilliant! Lovin' it.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03Just talk us through any problems that you've found,
0:35:03 > 0:35:05and how things have been going since we last saw you.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08The only problems we had was definitely in the ground,
0:35:08 > 0:35:09the footings.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12We did testing at the front to see if the footings were good enough,
0:35:12 > 0:35:14and they were, but not on the inside.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18We had to do a lot more work, did set us back a few days.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21It's always the case. I say this time and again with cowboys -
0:35:21 > 0:35:24it's not what you CAN see, it's what you can't see behind the layers,
0:35:24 > 0:35:27So obviously, from the front section, they were thinking,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30"We'll fool 'em with having the right-size footings there,
0:35:30 > 0:35:35- "but towards the back, virtually nothing."- Nothing carrying the blockwork at the back at all,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38so we had to dig down again, another two foot, concrete foundation.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41- That was a headache.- Any problems you found other than that?
0:35:41 > 0:35:43- Are we able to crack on? - Nothing at all.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46As soon as we solved the problem out in the floor,
0:35:46 > 0:35:48everything else has flowed quite nicely.
0:35:48 > 0:35:49And so we got the walls up.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51Now, the ceiling's obviously different to...
0:35:51 > 0:35:55The roof is different to what the original plan was but, of course,
0:35:55 > 0:35:59- what the original plan was wouldn't have passed building regs anyway. - It's not allowed.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01So now we've got a solid roof on.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04- It's going to be nice and toast in here.- And then, nice floor,
0:36:04 > 0:36:09carpet down, radiator in and to top it all, my building friends,
0:36:09 > 0:36:13a bit of the old decorating thrown in as well.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16We chucked it in just to try and finish it off nicely.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20Well, it matches now! I don't know where you found this paper from, I'll be honest with you.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23Donald's had it a while. I think he's had it about five years.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27- Oh, OK, so he saved a few rolls. He was planning ahead.- He was.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30Well, I can safely say, I'm sure he's going to be well chuffed,
0:36:30 > 0:36:33the boys are going to be well chuffed with what you've done.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36I'm certainly chuffed with it, that's for sure,
0:36:36 > 0:36:39but the important people, of course, are Don and William.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42So for now, boys, great to meet you, fantastic job,
0:36:42 > 0:36:44and I hope to see you sometime soon.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46And we do.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49I'm loving this job, and with Don being a craftsman,
0:36:49 > 0:36:53he's really going to appreciate the quality that's gone into this build.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55But we're now going to take down the tape,
0:36:55 > 0:36:59because it's no longer a no-go zone, it's a happy home.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04Donald now has an extension that's guaranteed to stay up.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06The walls have been properly tied together.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11There's a new timber-framed window and new fascias and guttering.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16I'm really chuffed with what these guys have done.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20If you remember before, this was just a pile of rubble, and now it's just amazing.
0:37:20 > 0:37:21I'm sure Don will love it.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24And the other thing about good guys is this.
0:37:24 > 0:37:25These are little extras they do.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28This wasn't on their remit, wasn't on their list,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31but they have built up this dividing wall here, and put on
0:37:31 > 0:37:32the coping stones at the top,
0:37:32 > 0:37:35just to finish it off, just as an extra touch.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39And I'm telling you, you won't find cowboy builders doing that.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43Retired lorry driver Donald Pearce and his brother William
0:37:43 > 0:37:47have lived happily in this bungalow for more than 40 years.
0:37:48 > 0:37:53During that time, Donald's passion for collecting lorries grew
0:37:53 > 0:37:55and grew and grew.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00When he finally ran out of wall space,
0:38:00 > 0:38:03he had to store them in the wardrobe and in the attic.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06And when that space ran out,
0:38:06 > 0:38:10the only answer was an extension on his bedroom.
0:38:10 > 0:38:15But after paying out £5,000 of his hard-earned savings,
0:38:15 > 0:38:19a heartless cowboy builder left Donald with an unstable,
0:38:19 > 0:38:20half-built shell of a room.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24In fact, it was so dangerous,
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Donald had to knock it down himself.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Now all that has changed.
0:38:29 > 0:38:34It's time to show Donald and William what Steve and the team have done.
0:38:34 > 0:38:39Right, well, I tell you what, shall we go in and take a look, yeah?
0:38:39 > 0:38:41Come on in, boys!
0:38:43 > 0:38:44Come on!
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Come and have a look.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50Oh, that's smashing now, innit? Great, now.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53- Come in, Don.- Yeah. - Come in, William.
0:38:56 > 0:38:57It's nice now, innit?
0:38:57 > 0:39:00- It's lovely!- It is all right.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02What do you think? I mean, you've now got...
0:39:02 > 0:39:05- What I wanted!- ..what you wanted!
0:39:05 > 0:39:07- That's the key, now.- Oh, yeah.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10Looking round, you got new carpet down.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13The boys have done a fantastic job.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16Of course, as far as the ceiling's concerned,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19that's now a flat roof that's gone on there.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21It is fantastic.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- You're loving it? You're loving that!- Aye!
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Now, what about your workmanship?
0:39:27 > 0:39:29That's great, now!
0:39:29 > 0:39:30That's great!
0:39:30 > 0:39:33What Donald didn't know,
0:39:33 > 0:39:36is Steve and Luke sneaked into his workshop earlier on
0:39:36 > 0:39:37and put the cabinet up for him.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39What a great surprise!
0:39:41 > 0:39:43From one set of craftspeople...
0:39:43 > 0:39:45- To another.- ..to another.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48- And that's what it's all about. - It is, yeah.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50So how are you feeling?
0:39:50 > 0:39:52All right, now. Smashing.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53- Are you chuffed?- I am, yeah.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57Oh, I cannot go wrong with that!
0:39:57 > 0:39:59No.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Turned out all right!
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- It turned out all right, William. You're not joking!- Yeah.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07It's turned out fantastic!
0:40:07 > 0:40:11So what's your plans now for in here?
0:40:11 > 0:40:15So this is the space you wanted. Obviously, the cabinet's up,
0:40:15 > 0:40:17so do you reckon your first plan will be to stock it?
0:40:17 > 0:40:20I shall, just now, yeah! With a bit of luck, I will!
0:40:20 > 0:40:24Stock it with your wagons and everything that's been hiding in the cupboard?
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Oh, I'll get that all up as well.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29And eventually, put stuff on this wall, too?
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Yeah, from floor to ceiling.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34Get another bed in 'ere, now!
0:40:34 > 0:40:37- "Get another bed in!" What's he trying to say?- I don't know!
0:40:37 > 0:40:39What's he trying to say?
0:40:39 > 0:40:42- Happy?- Oh, I am!- Listen, boys, do you know what?
0:40:42 > 0:40:44It's been lovely to meet you.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47I'm so pleased that you've got what you wanted.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49Well chuffed with that, Don.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52And seriously, seriously, mate...
0:40:53 > 0:40:57Hey, the whole point was we're looking after you, yeah?
0:40:57 > 0:41:00There's people out there to look out for you,
0:41:00 > 0:41:03and it proves that there are good guys out there.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07Now, we normally like to see a smile on your chops.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09That's what we usually have, Don, innit?
0:41:09 > 0:41:13'While Donald dries his eyes, I've got one more surprise for him.'
0:41:13 > 0:41:17Now this is your building control officer's sign off.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20This is the certificate of completion,
0:41:20 > 0:41:24to say that now, this building has passed building control inspection,
0:41:24 > 0:41:25and that is important.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28- That needs to be kept with the deeds of the property.- Oh, aye, yeah.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31- It really is such an important piece of paper.- Yeah.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34All right. OK, boys, look after yourselves!
0:41:34 > 0:41:37- OK, thanks, Clive!- No problem!
0:41:38 > 0:41:41That's from Wrekin council, that is.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Certificate of completion.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48He's satisfied with it, so am I!
0:42:06 > 0:42:10Thanks to Steve and Luke, Donald's dream has come true.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15His beloved trucks and lorries now have a new home he can be proud of.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Couldn't wish for nothing better!
0:42:18 > 0:42:21It's certainly a cause for celebration,
0:42:21 > 0:42:25and loyal neighbours Dave and Wendy are here to join in the party.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29You've got that smile, see!
0:42:31 > 0:42:34Fantastic! He's done a good job an' all.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37This is one happy and deserving customer.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39So, I've put together all the evidence
0:42:39 > 0:42:42that we've gathered on Don's builder,
0:42:42 > 0:42:44so all cowboy builders out there, beware!
0:42:44 > 0:42:49Cowboy trapper on your trail. You can run, you certainly can't hide!
0:42:49 > 0:42:52If you've had a problem with builders and you would like to
0:42:52 > 0:42:55tell your story on Cowboy Trap, then please call us.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Or you can send us an e-mail.
0:43:08 > 0:43:11Help us round up the cowboys!
0:43:17 > 0:43:25Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd