0:00:08 > 0:00:09I'm back on the road once again
0:00:09 > 0:00:14and on the trail of those cowboy builders, who blight people's lives.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16The kitchen floor is so uneven,
0:00:16 > 0:00:20it goes into a dip, then it mounds towards the middle.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- The electrics are hanging off the wall.- It's all stuff too big for us to be able to handle ourselves.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Today, I'm hoping to lend a helping hand to a family
0:00:28 > 0:00:31who want to turn their house back into a home again.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35You can't get away from it, you can't escape. I haven't slept very well for a while.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40- Listen...- Sorry.- Listen, I don't want you to worry about it.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Now along the way, I'm going to give you some top tips,
0:00:43 > 0:00:47in the hope it will help prevent you from falling into the cowboy trap.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03Today, I'm in Tyersall, a little village on the outskirts of Bradford
0:01:03 > 0:01:06in the West Riding of Yorkshire.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09This place, in the boom time of the Industrial Revolution,
0:01:09 > 0:01:12was once classed as the wool capital of the world.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Sadly, that industry is now long gone,
0:01:14 > 0:01:18except for one couple I'm about to meet who've had the wool
0:01:18 > 0:01:20well and truly pulled over their eyes.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Nine years ago, credit manager Corinne Sanderson
0:01:23 > 0:01:27and her husband, car company administrator Andy,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30bought this three-bedroom semi in the village.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32They're a couple very much in love
0:01:32 > 0:01:35and have worked as hard at making this a family home
0:01:35 > 0:01:39as they have their 22-year-long relationship.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Now I'm a real sucker for a good old-fashioned love story,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46and Corinne and Andy have been married for 18 years.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48They were childhood sweethearts.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51In fact, they met when Andy decided to ask his mate
0:01:51 > 0:01:54if he could chat up his little sister.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58When I left school, I started an apprenticeship as a technician
0:01:58 > 0:02:01and I went to the same college as her brother.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- So it sort of started from there, didn't it?- It did.- Yes.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Life has moved on a bit since those first dates.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10The couple are married and now have two daughters,
0:02:10 > 0:02:1417 year-old Abi and 14-year-old Kim, who is off at school.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18The girls are everything to us, family's everything to us.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21- Everything we've done has been around them, hasn't it?- Yes.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24But eventually, as their daughters were growing up,
0:02:24 > 0:02:26the family realised they needed more room.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Andy was keen on cooking and wanted a larger kitchen.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32And of course, as for the girls, they wanted more space
0:02:32 > 0:02:35so they could entertain their friends
0:02:35 > 0:02:38and of course, do some serious chilling.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42The house was small, we needed a bigger space, more space for us,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44so friends could come around.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47We decided to look at having the extension built,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50with a view to having a bigger room initially
0:02:50 > 0:02:52and when they gave us a price,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55it wasn't that much more to put the extra storey on,
0:02:55 > 0:03:00so it would give them a room to get out of our way, I suppose!
0:03:00 > 0:03:02We were looking forward to it,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05just so I did not have to come to my bedroom all the time to get away from everything.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09The family decided to go ahead with their grand plan
0:03:09 > 0:03:14and re-mortgaged their home to create a £30,000 pot.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Next, they needed a builder.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18We decided, we can't have one quote, we'll get a few.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23We had another builder in that gave us a quote that was just out of our reach altogether
0:03:23 > 0:03:27and then we started to think, why are they so different?
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Let's get another builder in, so I Googled the local area,
0:03:30 > 0:03:32found the builder that we've used.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35We argued with him a little bit and got him down and we agreed,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38for the two storeys, that he would finish all the work
0:03:38 > 0:03:42and it was going to come in at 25,500. That's what we agreed.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Look, I don't want to sound like a broken record,
0:03:45 > 0:03:49that is for those of you who can remember records, black circular vinyl things,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52but Corinne and Andy missed out one of the golden rules
0:03:52 > 0:03:57and that is to always take up the references and check the builder's previous work.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59It will save you such a lot of misery in the end.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04Blinkered by the price, Corinne and Andy rushed ahead.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08They verbally agreed to pay in three instalments
0:04:08 > 0:04:12and were promised their dream double storey extension, with a chill out room upstairs
0:04:12 > 0:04:15and a kitchen downstairs.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19The build was to take six weeks and with some added extras,
0:04:19 > 0:04:23the final cost came in at £26,500.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Things got off to a flying start.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30'They dug the foundations really quickly.'
0:04:30 > 0:04:32'They were here seven days a week.'
0:04:32 > 0:04:37- We were getting giddy, weren't we? - Yes.- The lasses were looking in, seeing where the telly would go
0:04:37 > 0:04:39and it were a very exciting time.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41With their extension taking shape,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45they were only too happy to pay the first two instalments.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49So far, they'd shelled out a total of £21,000.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53Then, alarm bells started to ring.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55'We'd had no receipts from them at this point.'
0:04:55 > 0:04:58They were supposed to have given us a contract to say
0:04:58 > 0:05:02when it will be finished and the instalment plan, everything.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05The only receipt we'd had off him was for the initial £1,000.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10Increasingly worried, the couple requested
0:05:10 > 0:05:12their promised contract and receipts,
0:05:12 > 0:05:15but they didn't receive either.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Instead, their cheeky cowboy
0:05:18 > 0:05:22demanded the final payment of £6,000.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27It didn't seem right and it wasn't, but I paid it anyway, stupidly.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32- When we sat and thought about it, we'd paid £500 too much. - We'd overpaid, hadn't we?
0:05:32 > 0:05:37The couple had forked out a massive 27 grand,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40but they were still living in a building site.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Corinne and Andy fell for the classic cowboy trap.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46They handed over all of the money before the work was completed,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48so when the builder got the final payment,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51the excuses came thick and fast.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56A job the Sandersons were told would only take six weeks was now running way over schedule
0:05:56 > 0:05:58and to top it all, Corinne had no receipts
0:05:58 > 0:06:02for any of the work that had been carried out, so therefore, no proof.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07Take my advice, you must have a contract in place
0:06:07 > 0:06:10before you let your builder do any work on your property.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16Ensure your contract includes a schedule of work and a payment plan.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Then you know not to pay
0:06:18 > 0:06:22if the work's behind schedule or not up to standard.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24Pay by cheque or bank transfer
0:06:24 > 0:06:27and always get receipts for any payment made.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32As soon as Corinne and Andy made the final payment,
0:06:32 > 0:06:36their cash-crazy cowboy lost interest in the project.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40'When they started to not be here every day,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43'we give them the benefit of the doubt, but that got more often,'
0:06:43 > 0:06:45then they suddenly stopped coming.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48With their callous cowboy gone,
0:06:48 > 0:06:52the family were left to deal with the catastrophe.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56The kitchen floor is so uneven it goes into a dip,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58then it mounds up towards the middle.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01The front of the house hasn't got a drain at all.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03We've got big ditch where they dug it out and left it.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Upstairs, the electrics are hanging off the wall.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10It's all stuff that's too big for us to handle ourselves, we just can't do it.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14This family has been living like this for six months
0:07:14 > 0:07:18and has no way of making things better.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20They have no funds left,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23not even to decorate those rooms that are unfinished,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26and they're surrounded by constant reminders of what's gone wrong.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29'When you wake up, it's there in your mind,
0:07:29 > 0:07:31'you're coming out of your bedroom, looking at the mess
0:07:31 > 0:07:33'and it's a bad start to the day.'
0:07:33 > 0:07:37You go to work thinking about it, you go home, come in the house,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40it's there again, you can't get away from it, you can't escape at all.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Everything this family has gone through
0:07:43 > 0:07:46has been witnessed by Corinne's mum.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48'It put a lot of strain on them',
0:07:48 > 0:07:52getting upset with each other and arguments, as you do.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55It caused a lot of worry and upset for both of them.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00And if it hadn't been for the fact that they're both such strong people
0:08:00 > 0:08:04and so committed to each other and to their two daughters,
0:08:04 > 0:08:08it might have damaged their marriage,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10you know, beyond repair.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15'Corinne and Andy really need my help.'
0:08:16 > 0:08:19It's time for me to meet them, to see if I can put an end
0:08:19 > 0:08:22to this cowboy calamity.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- You must be Corinne. - I am, pleased to meet you. - I'm Clive.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30- You're Andy?- Yes, sir.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32You've had problems with cowboy builders, I hear.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36- We have, yes.- If you don't mind letting me in, as I'm a stranger?
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- No, come in.- I'll take a look. - OK, thank you.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47'Downstairs in the main extension, things aren't hot in this kitchen.'
0:08:47 > 0:08:50The first thing that jumps out at me is the floor...
0:08:50 > 0:08:53..that's terrible.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56What's underneath that? Look at this.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58It's up and down like a fiddler's elbow.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01In actual fact, here, I'm now two inches taller.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- This has just gone... - MAKES WHOOSHING SOUND
0:09:04 > 0:09:06I'm going to give this floor the golf ball test.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09There's no way when I put this ball down
0:09:09 > 0:09:13it's going to stay still, which it should do because it should be flat.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17It will help you with your putting stroke
0:09:17 > 0:09:21if you've got an uneven green, but that's about your lot.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24It's terrible. Looking around...
0:09:24 > 0:09:27..these are the things to feel for.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32Finish there on the plasterwork, it's not good. It's quite rough.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34Normally you get it like glass.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37A good plasterer will get that spot on.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41One thing I can't see and that is a wired smoke detector.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Its regulations, you've got to have a wired smoke alarm.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Not in here, it ain't.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51So far, so bad. But what about the upstairs?
0:09:51 > 0:09:56Is the build in this chill-out room going to leave me cold?
0:09:57 > 0:09:59I have to say, this is our cavity.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06That insulation board shouldn't have come out as easily as it has done.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10The big problem you've got is plaster debris,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13like this, that's bridging the two walls.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18When that bridges and gets stuck, if moisture did break through those bricks,
0:10:18 > 0:10:22they will potentially cause damp on the inner wall.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24So, that's no good.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27And with this plaster, I mean from the surface
0:10:27 > 0:10:30and where you can see, it might look good, but honestly,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34it's up and down, it's rough, it's got edges on it and of course,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37when it's time to paint this sort of thing, you're going to see it.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41You're going to see those waves. It just hasn't been finished right.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44These are tell-tale signs
0:10:44 > 0:10:48that there's possibly moisture ingress coming from the roof
0:10:48 > 0:10:51and you've got a big stain there, that's a moisture stain.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53That would worry me, I'd need to inspect the roof.
0:10:53 > 0:10:58And here, I mean, this is just not supported right at all.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02You've got tripping hazards. They just haven't thought it out.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06It's quite dangerous, particularly right at the top of the stairs.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10'Out here, the cowboy calamities continue.'
0:11:10 > 0:11:14I hate it when it's windy, it plays havoc with my hair. Look at this.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18That is a mix that went wrong. Why would you leave that like that?
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Awful.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25'And it doesn't take long to discover proof
0:11:25 > 0:11:28'of the rotten work on the roof.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32'The all-important end cap that seals this roof is missing.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34'No wonder the Sandersons have leaks.'
0:11:34 > 0:11:36That's all open and exposed.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Wind and rain... and all of a sudden, it's in.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44'And do I not like this shoddy brickwork?'
0:11:44 > 0:11:48It's fairly obvious we're dealing with cowboy builders, but this should not happen.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51We've got different colours of mortar,
0:11:51 > 0:11:53so you've got a far lighter shade there,
0:11:53 > 0:11:57which is more sand in the mix and as you come down,
0:11:57 > 0:12:01it goes darker and you find this to greater degrees around the property.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06For all you amateur builders out there, here's how to get it right.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09If you're thinking about building a wall in the garden,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12or fancy yourself as a DIY bricklayer, I've got a simple top tip
0:12:12 > 0:12:16for you to keep those mortar colours absolutely even.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Now for the ingredients.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Now imagine you want to get the perfect cake mix.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23So what you need is two buckets,
0:12:23 > 0:12:26one to fill with the builder's sand and one to fill with the cement.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31In this case I'm saying that I would be doing it as a four and one mix.
0:12:31 > 0:12:37That's four parts builder's sand, you can use four full buckets, and one part cement.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Tip it out on to your spot board or your bath, mix it with a shovel
0:12:40 > 0:12:42and then gently apply water,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45mixing it until you get the consistency just right.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50Stick to these tips and unlike this wall, you'll have a great build.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Keeps it nice and even and you won't have all these different colours going on,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56with either too much sand or too much cement.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02So much has been started, but left unfinished on this job.
0:13:02 > 0:13:03Maybe Andy can shed more light
0:13:03 > 0:13:07on what this half-hearted cowboy's been playing at.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Come and talk this through all this, Andy, I've had a look around myself,
0:13:11 > 0:13:16but you'll give me a proper, probably a better insight into what's been going on.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20What other problems do you know of out here?
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Well, first thing to notice is that we don't have a fall pipe,
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- so when it rains, it's got nowhere to go.- No.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29We don't have a drain at all in there.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32It's just a ditch they've dug out and left it hollow,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- so when it rains, it just fills up. - OK.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37The actual end cap is actually on site somewhere.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40I think they've left all the bits here to do it,
0:13:40 > 0:13:42They just haven't been here to do it.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- If rain goes in there, it's totally exposed.- Yes.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50So it's going to cause damage in the property, somewhere along the line.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Now then, what can Andy tell me about upstairs?
0:13:55 > 0:13:58So what was the plan for in here, Andy?
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Well, they were supposed to finish all the plastering,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05put us a radiator on and pipe it up and everything,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08because we haven't got any heating up to the point where they left.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11But as you can see, none of that has been finished.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14We've got two walls and a ceiling plastered, but that's it.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19'Back downstairs, the evidence of bodged work continues
0:14:19 > 0:14:24'in the old kitchen, where the builder has removed the Sandersons' boiler.'
0:14:24 > 0:14:26What were you doing for heating?
0:14:26 > 0:14:30We had to get oil-filled radiators and use electric for months.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34Especially in the winter, because it was freezing.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- So add on to that the cost of running those things... - That's cost us a fortune to run them.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40And we had no hot water.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44We were relying on the electric shower for hot water.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46What, for things like washing up?
0:14:46 > 0:14:49We use the kettle for that, we had to struggle with a kettle.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54'I want Andy to give me the low-down on the new kitchen extension.'
0:14:54 > 0:14:59- There's one obvious flaw in the floor.- Yes.- After you.- OK.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04- Now this is interesting, this floor, I've got to say.- You like the lino? - Well, yes.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08But it's all of this sort of up and down motion,
0:15:08 > 0:15:11makes you feel a bit seasick.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15But what does it look like under this linoleum?
0:15:15 > 0:15:18It's got a mound in the middle and a dip at this side
0:15:18 > 0:15:22and it's made of a sandy sort of screed, I suppose you'd call it.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26So they didn't actually put any top screed on it?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- No self-levelling, no nothing? - No.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33'By not challenging his builder more forcibly about this floor,
0:15:33 > 0:15:35'Andy made a mistake.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37'Don't let this happen to you.'
0:15:54 > 0:15:58'With an uneven floor in the extension, and the old kitchen
0:15:58 > 0:16:03'out of order, Andy was forced to install the new units himself.'
0:16:03 > 0:16:07Was that purely in desperation, you wanted to get the kitchen sorted?
0:16:07 > 0:16:11We had to have some way of cooking, because we had nothing.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- Cooking and washing facilities... - There's only so many takeaways you can eat.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17But of course, you built it on an uneven surface.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22I did it as best as I could, working, just marking a level
0:16:22 > 0:16:26and working to the line and ignoring the floor.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28You didn't take your measurement from the floor though?
0:16:28 > 0:16:31No. One thing after another.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Coming up, I call in an independent chartered surveyor
0:16:37 > 0:16:41to cast his expert eye over this house of horrors...
0:16:41 > 0:16:44They've just thought, we've extracted the money
0:16:44 > 0:16:47from these people we need to, let's get on to the next job.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50..and Corinne and Andy share the tearful truth
0:16:50 > 0:16:52about their darkest hour.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57- Listen...- Sorry.- Listen, I don't want you to worry about it.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06'Tyersall, West Yorkshire is home to Corinne and Andy Sanderson.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10'They had a dream to extend their home by adding a large family kitchen
0:17:10 > 0:17:14'and an upstairs room for their daughters to hang out in.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21'But after shelling out £27,000 to their builder,
0:17:21 > 0:17:25'their hopes and dreams and not to mention their home,
0:17:25 > 0:17:27'were left in tatters.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30'Their callous cowboy's skedaddled, leaving them with uneven floors,
0:17:30 > 0:17:37'dodgy electrics and ceiling stains from a leaky roof.'
0:17:37 > 0:17:40The builder is only as good as the worst jobs he's carried out,
0:17:40 > 0:17:42and that's what makes him a cowboy.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44But I want to find out from Corinne and Andy
0:17:44 > 0:17:48just how he gained their trust in the first place.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55'I want to know more about how they found themselves in such a state.'
0:17:55 > 0:17:58First of all, what was the dream, what did you want?
0:17:58 > 0:18:01You'd sat down, thought about it, what was the dream?
0:18:01 > 0:18:02A bigger kitchen.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05A bigger kitchen was the goal to start with
0:18:05 > 0:18:08and then the girls needing their extra spaces.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12All this, they were getting older, more independent, more friends,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15wanting more room, away from mum and dad.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18How did you know how much it was going to cost, rough idea?
0:18:18 > 0:18:22We had an idea in our minds of what we would be willing to spend.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24And you were willing to spend?
0:18:24 > 0:18:29- Probably about 30,000 or somewhere near that.- OK.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32'The couple re-mortgaged their house
0:18:32 > 0:18:37'and with £30,000 to spend, set about choosing a builder.'
0:18:37 > 0:18:40We'd seen a few builders, we'd had three around, a few quotes.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44His quote was very similar to another quote that we'd had
0:18:44 > 0:18:46but we liked this builder better.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- We felt more comfortable with him. - Why?
0:18:49 > 0:18:53He was the right bloke. He was our, sort of down-to-earth, sort of guy.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- You then come to an agreement with a contract, you got a contract? - No.
0:18:58 > 0:19:04- Just remind me a little of what job you do.- I know!
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- Spill the beans. - I'm an assistant credit manager,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11um, looking after credit. I know, I'm bad.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Was the heart leading the head that you couldn't really think straight?
0:19:15 > 0:19:17It was trust, I think and the dream.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19If I knock on your door,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22and I said to you, Corinne...
0:19:22 > 0:19:23SHE LAUGHS
0:19:23 > 0:19:25"Give us 50 quid,
0:19:25 > 0:19:29"I'll go and buy you something nice and I'll be back in half an hour."
0:19:29 > 0:19:32- It wouldn't happen.- It wouldn't. - No, I've tried it.
0:19:32 > 0:19:33LAUGHS
0:19:33 > 0:19:36You're giving this guy 30 grand!
0:19:36 > 0:19:38'I can't believe my ears!
0:19:38 > 0:19:40'Surely you don't hand over that sort of money
0:19:40 > 0:19:43'without doing homework on your builder.'
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Have we done any research on him?
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- Have we seen any of his previous work at all?- Only on his website.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Do you know on my website, I'm slim?
0:19:52 > 0:19:58I've put my head on, I'm real slim, six pack, all the rest of it,
0:19:58 > 0:20:00giving it all that, giving it all that.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02It's not real though.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06We took it on trust because he had the Federation of Master Builders
0:20:06 > 0:20:09accreditation on his website and his letterheads.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13Did you find out that he was a member, genuinely?
0:20:13 > 0:20:17- Did you phone up the federation? - No, we never checked it.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19We took it on face value.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22We took it as trust that if he used their logo,
0:20:22 > 0:20:27- then it must be right, mustn't it? - Subsequently?- He isn't.- No.
0:20:27 > 0:20:28'Take my advice.
0:20:28 > 0:20:33'ANYONE can build a website, so be wary.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38'Remember, reviews, testimonials and photos of work can all be made up.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41'Search for builders and websites
0:20:41 > 0:20:45'run by organisations offering assured trader schemes.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49'If you find your builder on a trusted site,
0:20:49 > 0:20:51'still do your research.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52'Speak to previous clients
0:20:52 > 0:20:56'and look at examples of work similar to your plans.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00'Sadly, Corinne and Andy's lack of research
0:21:00 > 0:21:03'was about to land them in trouble.'
0:21:03 > 0:21:08- From the moment you start the build, how's it going?- Very well.- Really?
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Absolutely. Very, very well.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12They dug all the foundations out,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15probably within a day, that flew up within weeks.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19They got the roof on and it was tiled really quickly.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- Probably within a week. - So you'd paid what 20 grand so far?
0:21:22 > 0:21:2720 grand to get the shell without the windows, yes. And doors.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32- And the thousand for the building regs and planning permission.- Yes.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35'They had paid £21,000 in total
0:21:35 > 0:21:39'and there was still a lot of work to be done.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41'But that didn't stop their cheeky cowboy
0:21:41 > 0:21:44'asking for the final payment.'
0:21:44 > 0:21:47He rung Andy up and said, "We need the remaining 6,000".
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- Twenty-seven thousand pounds?- Yes.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- He's got it.- Yes.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55The job's not complete.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Your windows haven't even arrived yet
0:21:57 > 0:22:00and yet we've paid him all the dosh.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05'But hang on, wasn't the initial quote less than that?'
0:22:05 > 0:22:08The original quote was for £26,500 but you paid him?
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- We actually transferred 27.- 27.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15- Did you know you'd transferred 27 or was it an accident?- We knew.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18It just seemed easier, to be honest.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- Seemed easier to give him an extra 500 quid?- I know.- Yeah.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26To me, you seem very savvy and switched on. I don't get it.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31We're just easy-going, aren't we? We don't like confrontation.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33You're easy giving as well as going.
0:22:33 > 0:22:38'With the full amount paid and a little extra on top,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41'the callous cowboys stopped coming.'
0:22:41 > 0:22:44It were clawing up to Christmas fast, wasn't it, at that point?
0:22:44 > 0:22:48- We had no heating.- No heating, nothing to cook with, no hot water.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51We might as well have lived in a caravan.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56'But that was nothing compared to a potentially lethal discovery.'
0:22:56 > 0:23:00They put us in danger as well by the fact that they built the house
0:23:00 > 0:23:02over a live gas main.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03Oh no.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Had it been a metal pipe, they said it's fine
0:23:06 > 0:23:10but because it's a plastic one, if there's a fire in the house then
0:23:10 > 0:23:14you've just got live gas streaming into your house when the pipe bursts.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21'By this time, all the money they had set aside for the job had gone.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25'They had to borrow more to get the pipe moved.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28'They had no cash, a building site for a home
0:23:28 > 0:23:31'and were at the end of their emotional tether.'
0:23:31 > 0:23:34When you realise that, all of a sudden,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37your builder's not coming back,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40you've paid out 27 grand...
0:23:40 > 0:23:41All our money, yeah.
0:23:41 > 0:23:47What sort of impact does that have on the family?
0:23:48 > 0:23:50It was really hard.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53It was very, very hard for everybody, cos we were short-tempered
0:23:53 > 0:23:55and arguing between ourselves.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59They copped for it just because of the wrong place at the wrong time.
0:23:59 > 0:24:00- We really struggled.- Yeah.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04If we weren't as strong as we are, I don't think we'd be together.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08- We'd have just jacked it in and gone. - Jacked it in and separated?- Yeah.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11- We went away for the weekend. - Yeah, just to get away.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Just the two of us away for the weekend and sorted ourselves out.
0:24:15 > 0:24:20Seriously, you went to decide your future together?
0:24:20 > 0:24:25The future for us and the house and the girls, yeah.
0:24:25 > 0:24:26That must have been bad.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31Where are you now in terms of how you feel?
0:24:34 > 0:24:35Angry.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Yeah.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39We, um...
0:24:39 > 0:24:44- Just stop a minute.- Is there any way, listen, listen, listen.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Is there any way that...
0:24:47 > 0:24:49Did you stop and realise...
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- Listen.- Sorry.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57I don't want you to worry about it.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02'With such a burden hanging over Corinne and Andy,
0:25:02 > 0:25:04'I really want to turn this heartbreak house
0:25:04 > 0:25:07'back into a happy home,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10'and I've got a good idea about what we can do for them.'
0:25:14 > 0:25:18Certainly the job is unfinished and there are lots of things wrong.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21In fact, it's hard to know what's been done right.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24That's why I've asked independent chartered surveyor Colin Harrop
0:25:24 > 0:25:27to come along to see what he makes of the Sandersons' extension.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37- Mr Harrop, you be careful on these boards.- I will do.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- How are you?- Not bad.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43You've had a look around. What have you found that's not to your liking?
0:25:43 > 0:25:47Basically, some of the work they've done is pretty shoddy actually
0:25:47 > 0:25:51and doesn't conform to standards of good workmanship we'd expect to see.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Secondly, the big issue, it's simply not finished.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57- Why would they do that?- They've got bored, fed up, or thought,
0:25:57 > 0:26:01"We've extracted the money we need to. Let's get on to the next job."
0:26:01 > 0:26:02Something along those lines.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06What sort of mark out of ten would you give for the builder
0:26:06 > 0:26:07that's carried out the work?
0:26:07 > 0:26:09I'd give it a two out of ten.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12The fact it's unfinished, I'm sure the homeowners think zero out of ten.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16- Colin, thanks for coming along. See you again soon.- Thank you, Clive.
0:26:18 > 0:26:19I agree with Colin.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22This job is shoddy at best so I'm going to cordon off the area.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25I'm going to class it as no-go zone
0:26:25 > 0:26:29and I think it's now time for me to go get those good guys.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36'Head builder Darren and I need to come up with a plan of action
0:26:36 > 0:26:41'to make this family safe and put them back on the right track.'
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Now, Darren, I've had a chance to look around the property
0:26:45 > 0:26:46and I know you have.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50There's pockets of bad build all over the place.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53What have you picked up that you don't like?
0:26:53 > 0:26:55The main issue in the kitchen is the flooring.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59Clearly there's no screed gone down. Floor's uneven.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01Unfinished work upstairs, window boards.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03The plastering work's incomplete.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06They've left the poor owners with holes outside in the yard
0:27:06 > 0:27:08which is unsafe.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11I think it's going to take a week to ten days to rectify.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Darren, good to see you. Thank you very much, sir.
0:27:14 > 0:27:15I'll catch up with you later.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Always the worry for me is,
0:27:17 > 0:27:20it's not what you can see where cowboy builders have been,
0:27:20 > 0:27:22but where you can't.
0:27:25 > 0:27:31Coming up, Andy tells it like it is when he calls his cowboy builder.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35On face value, we've been ripped off. You've taken all the money.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40'I can't wait to show this lovely couple what the good guys can do.'
0:27:40 > 0:27:42What an amazing difference.
0:27:42 > 0:27:43Wow!
0:27:48 > 0:27:51The Sanderson family set up home nine years ago
0:27:51 > 0:27:55on the outskirts of Bradford in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58They dreamed of a two-storey extension to create a bigger kitchen
0:27:58 > 0:28:02and a chill-out room for their teenage daughters,
0:28:02 > 0:28:05but the family fell into the cowboy trap
0:28:05 > 0:28:09when they hired a bungling builder to take on the job.
0:28:09 > 0:28:14After milking them of £27,000 he bolted,
0:28:14 > 0:28:18leaving them distraught and living in a bodge-job building site.
0:28:20 > 0:28:25But we brought in the good guys who are pulling out all the stops
0:28:25 > 0:28:30to transform this slapdash disaster into a dream home.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Their hard work means everything to Corinne and Andy.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37We've been through the mill with it a bit, but we're through that now.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40It's nice to see that there's proper people out there
0:28:40 > 0:28:45that are willing to do a first-rate job for you.
0:28:45 > 0:28:46It's been really exciting, hasn't it?
0:28:46 > 0:28:51'17-year-old daughter Abi is excited too.'
0:28:51 > 0:28:54I've seen a room that can be really well decorated.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57It gives me high aspirations for the rest of the house.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59I can't wait for it to be finished.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02'Well, we're doing our best, Abi.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06'The fabulously flat kitchen floor is already in place.
0:29:06 > 0:29:12'We're fitting new doors, a working drainage system and sturdy steps.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16'Not forgetting the girls' chill-out room that's been plastered
0:29:16 > 0:29:19'and painted to perfection.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21'In fact, the only worry Andy has now
0:29:21 > 0:29:24'is whether his decorating skills will let the side down.'
0:29:26 > 0:29:30- I've just got to live up to the same standards they've done.- You have.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39'The whole family is desperate to move on but before they do,
0:29:39 > 0:29:41'I want to help Corinne and Andy
0:29:41 > 0:29:45'get some answers from their terrible tradesmen.'
0:29:45 > 0:29:49- When was the last time you spoke to your builder?- End of February.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53We have to give him that opportunity of a right to reply.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56What would be the most important questions you'd have for him?
0:29:56 > 0:30:00To us, it looks like you've tried to rip us off by taking the money
0:30:00 > 0:30:03knowing full well you weren't going to come back.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05- Let's call him now, mate.- Thank you.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10'For legal reasons, we can't broadcast the builder's voice.'
0:30:11 > 0:30:14Hello, it's Mr Sanderson from Tyersall.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17The last conversation we had in February was you were
0:30:17 > 0:30:20going to come back and finish it and we heard nothing since.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23On face value to us, it looks like we've been ripped off.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26You've taken all the money and not finished the job
0:30:26 > 0:30:30and left it in a state and made no effort to come up and see us.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33You know we work all day. You could have come up after hours.
0:30:33 > 0:30:39We've got a list as long as our arm to finish. OK, mate, cheers. Bye.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- Well, I'm shocked. - What was he saying?
0:30:43 > 0:30:45He said he's never done this before.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49He's never taken anybody's money and run off. Always finished the job.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- Well, we don't have any proof of that, do we?- No.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55We are living proof that that isn't the case.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58He said it's only bits and bats left to finish. We know that's not true.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02Bits and bats? You've got to be having a laugh!
0:31:02 > 0:31:05He's been back a couple of times in the last three months,
0:31:05 > 0:31:09- trying to get hold of us because he lost our phone number.- OK.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13Did you notice when you came through the door one day there was a note,
0:31:13 > 0:31:14- "Please get in touch?"- No.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16He doesn't live so far away.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Why couldn't he come back after he knows when we're going to be in?
0:31:19 > 0:31:22'Our team also spoke to the builder
0:31:22 > 0:31:25'who claimed that, apart from the guttering,
0:31:25 > 0:31:29'he'd left the Sandersons with a beautifully finished extension.
0:31:29 > 0:31:34'I'm not convinced that cowardly cowboy was ever coming back.'
0:31:35 > 0:31:38'Thank goodness for Darren and his team.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43'They add the finishing touches before packing up and heading off.'
0:31:47 > 0:31:52'At last it's job done and I can't wait to take a sneaky peek.'
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Straight away, this looks different.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58I seem to remember there was just rubbish and rubble here.
0:31:58 > 0:32:00I didn't ask the builders to do this.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03If our builders have done this.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05Hey, hey, hey.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09Now, if you remember here before, we just had boards.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12There was obviously a hole underneath there ready for drainage.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14Looks like drainage has gone in.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17We've got a nice step up to the door.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19Down spout.
0:32:19 > 0:32:24OK, ridge end cap that was missing,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27we could have had a problem with water getting in there.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31That's all on and sealed. That's what we want.
0:32:33 > 0:32:34That's more like it.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36Critically, we've got the guttering on,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39the down spouts down into the bottom gully,
0:32:39 > 0:32:41drainage system done.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43That's really important.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50That just makes such a big difference. Painted out.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53We've got a new door. We've got a new frame.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56We've got new flooring.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Oh, they're going to love this kitchen, I tell you now.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03They are going to love it.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06'And there's a whole lot more to love upstairs.'
0:33:08 > 0:33:11# What a difference seven days make
0:33:11 > 0:33:13# 168 little hours. #
0:33:13 > 0:33:14It's amazing!
0:33:14 > 0:33:17This was all plasterboard, rough edges.
0:33:19 > 0:33:24No skirting, architrave.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26Window boards are in now.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29They've even put a loft hatch in.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32That's what good guys can do.
0:33:32 > 0:33:33I love it.
0:33:35 > 0:33:40'Before I reveal this beauty of a build to Corinne and Andy,
0:33:40 > 0:33:43'there are some good guys I want to thank.'
0:33:43 > 0:33:46Now, boys, first of all, the moment I arrived at the property,
0:33:46 > 0:33:48what a difference on the outside.
0:33:48 > 0:33:53- It does look so much better. - It's tidy, yeah. Very tidy.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55But amazing on the inside.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58The kitchen is quite a change.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01The fundamental problem there was the screeding of the floor.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04It was very uneven, poorly done
0:34:04 > 0:34:07and there were pockets, believe it or not, of plaster filled in holes.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11So we broke all that out, re-screeded it, put new vinyl down,
0:34:11 > 0:34:15adjusted the plinths and then redecorated the kitchen.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17Some new window boards, and finished it off.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19The window boards look great.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22But the real drama comes when you go into that bedroom.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24What did you do?
0:34:24 > 0:34:26Well, first off, we put the floorboard in right.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29As you walked into the bedroom there was a hole in the floor.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33Fitted new door and casing. Redecorated throughout.
0:34:33 > 0:34:38Skirtings, architraves and I threw the carpets in as well.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41- You've absolutely done us proud. - Thank you.- Top job, fellas. Cheers.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43- Thank you very much.- Cheers.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46'I'm so impressed by this transformation
0:34:46 > 0:34:48'but it's not about me.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52'It's time to find out what Corinne and Andy think.'
0:34:52 > 0:34:56OK, guys, follow me, cos this is the bit I really love.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01Before we go outside, just remind me what it was like outside and inside.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03What were the main problems?
0:35:03 > 0:35:07What about inside? Talk me through that kitchen of yours.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10The biggest thing in the kitchen were the floor. Unbelievable.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Uneven, terrible. Really bad, wasn't it?
0:35:12 > 0:35:15What about the bedroom?
0:35:15 > 0:35:16The bedroom, again, was a disaster.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Walls not plastered. No sills on the window.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21You could see right down through the build.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23The roof was leaking
0:35:23 > 0:35:25so we had marks on the ceiling from the roof.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28- So it was all a bit of a mess? - Just a bit.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30OK, so, we've had the good guys in.
0:35:30 > 0:35:35I can't wait to show you the work that they've carried out.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39- Are you ready?- Yeah.- We're ready. - Looking forward to it.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41Let's rock and roll.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43'Although they've been living at home,
0:35:43 > 0:35:46'this is the first time the Sandersons have seen everything
0:35:46 > 0:35:47'in its full glory.'
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Come on. We're going on a bit of a journey.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54First of all, looking at the driveway,
0:35:54 > 0:35:58what did you think because you weren't expecting this to be done.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02- No.- Complete surprise. - It's brilliant.- It's so much bigger.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05It does look bigger. The impact on the house is brilliant.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09- It's the first view of the house as you come in.- Really good.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14- But the interesting thing about good guys is it wasn't on the remit.- No?
0:36:14 > 0:36:16- I didn't ask him to do this. - Absolutely.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21- All the mess has gone, the skip's gone. It's just tidy.- Brilliant.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24- It just looks so much better, doesn't it?- Yeah, it does.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26OK, so we've seen the driveway.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29What I want to now show you is round here. Come take a look at this.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35As we stand here now, what jumps out at you that's different?
0:36:35 > 0:36:38- That.- Definitely there.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40The filled-in hole and we have a step.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45I know, and it's so tidy. The edges before were all jiggedy and jaggedy.
0:36:45 > 0:36:46They've broken it up.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49Are they real words, jiggedy and jaggedy,
0:36:49 > 0:36:51cos if they're not, I think they should be?
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Great words they are. Jiggedy jaggedy.
0:36:53 > 0:36:58- They were very jiggedy jaggedy, yeah.- Dodgy.- It was over a hole.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02To say the least. But now it looks a whole heap better.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04It looks so much better.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06- A lot more space. - Yeah, absolutely definitely.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09Come on, guys. Come on.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12We need pace now cos I want to get inside.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15These are important things, of course they are.
0:37:15 > 0:37:20First of all, looking outside, what do you recognise that's changed?
0:37:20 > 0:37:22- The guttering.- Yeah. - That was hanging off.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26- We didn't have any guttering on the old part of the house.- You didn't.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29'And remember those missing down pipes?'
0:37:29 > 0:37:32That's all the way down.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34- Notice anything else, Andy? - An end cap.
0:37:34 > 0:37:38'Before, this was a gaping hole on the side of the roof.'
0:37:38 > 0:37:40I know it's only a bit of plastic,
0:37:40 > 0:37:43but it was an important bit of plastic.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46We're made sure that it's watertight. That was the key factor.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48Now all the drainage has been done properly,
0:37:48 > 0:37:51I just think it looks a whole heap different.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54It was a mess before and I didn't like the idea of the guttering
0:37:54 > 0:37:56missing off the old section of the property
0:37:56 > 0:38:00cos so much water gushing down there and gathering at the bottom.
0:38:00 > 0:38:05Now that's all been sorted and done. So, onward to the kitchen, Andy.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07Come on. After you, son. Let's go.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13'I really hope budding chef Andy thinks this tasty kitchen makeover
0:38:13 > 0:38:16'has all the right ingredients.'
0:38:18 > 0:38:20HE SINGS A FANFARE
0:38:22 > 0:38:23So?
0:38:24 > 0:38:28- Wow!- It is a bit of a wow factor, isn't it?
0:38:28 > 0:38:33- How great's that?- We've got a flat floor. Wow.- Brilliant.- Flat floor.
0:38:33 > 0:38:37- And new lino as well. - Kick boards sorted.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41- Anything else you notice from last time?- Windowsills.- Windowsills.
0:38:41 > 0:38:46- They look really shiny.- They're very deep as well. They're great.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49- I love the depth of them. - Yeah.- They look fantastic.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52So what do you reckon the first meal's going to be, Andy?
0:38:52 > 0:38:55- Fish and chips.- From the chippy!
0:38:55 > 0:38:58Yeah, fish and chips from the chippy.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00A man after my own heart, simple as that.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03I couldn't agree more, but I tell you what,
0:39:03 > 0:39:05it is a whole heap different,
0:39:05 > 0:39:07and you're not climbing up and down hills.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10You feel steady on your feet, stable. Brilliant.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13- So, are you happy?- Yeah.- Definitely.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17And finally, we've still got the bedroom to go.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19This time, before we go in,
0:39:19 > 0:39:22I think Corinne should be the first one through the door.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24All right? Let's go.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29'Before the good guys got to work,
0:39:29 > 0:39:33'Andy and Corinne's home, dream and marriage were in a mess
0:39:33 > 0:39:36'courtesy of a cowboy builder.'
0:39:36 > 0:39:39You can't get away from it or escape at all.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42You look round, something hasn't been finished.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44- Listen.- Sorry.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Listen, I don't want you to worry about it.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51'But we brought in the good guys to put things right.'
0:39:52 > 0:39:55'We've given them a step in the right direction
0:39:55 > 0:39:57'with a fabulous new driveway,
0:39:57 > 0:40:00'a watertight roof, two beautiful rooms
0:40:00 > 0:40:03'and that flat kitchen floor.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06'It's lifted a whole pile of pressure off the family.'
0:40:06 > 0:40:08My parents will be much, much happier now.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12I think there has been a lot of hardness upon them
0:40:12 > 0:40:14and a lot of pressure on their shoulders.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Now the rooms are getting better they'll be happier in themselves.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Now it's finished,
0:40:19 > 0:40:23I'm thrilled for everyone with this life-changing result.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28But there's still one area left to look at. The chill-out room.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34Wow!
0:40:35 > 0:40:37- What a difference. Wow.- It's amazing.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41You wouldn't think it were the same room, would you? The same house even.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43It's fab.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46We've got a loft hatch as well that we didn't have before.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50You've got a loft hatch where the damp spot was.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53We've converted it into a loft hatch
0:40:53 > 0:40:58but, in general, what an amazing difference.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01We've got our builder again, the good guys,
0:41:01 > 0:41:07going just that bit further for us putting a carpet down as well.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09- We didn't expect a carpet, did we?- No.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13- Such a lovely colour as well.- Wow. - Makes it look a bit bigger.- Yeah.
0:41:13 > 0:41:14Again, shiny paint.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17What's the plan for this room? What is the plan now?
0:41:17 > 0:41:20- Telly in the corner.- Yeah.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24Beanbags and a couch. Nice curtains.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26- You might have your drum kit in the corner?- Maybe.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28I need somewhere to put my guitars.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32- The lasses are going to really, really enjoy it. Brilliant.- Lovely.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36- So this is going to be what you call your chill-out room?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40- How pleased are you, on a scale of one to ten?- Ten's not enough, is it?
0:41:40 > 0:41:42- I'm loving this room.- It's amazing.
0:41:42 > 0:41:47- I can't wait to see it when you've got all your accoutrements.- Yeah.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50All right. Lovely to meet you. Enjoy the room and enjoy the future.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54- Well done, everyone. I'll leave you to it.- Thank you.- I'll see you soon.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- Cheers.- Bye.- Cheers, guys.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01Wow, it looks brilliant, doesn't it?
0:42:02 > 0:42:05'Aww, from heartbreak house to love nest.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08'The perfect ending!'
0:42:08 > 0:42:11There's no doubt about it, this job is fantastic
0:42:11 > 0:42:14but, as ever, my job isn't over yet.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16I've collected all the information on the cowboy builder
0:42:16 > 0:42:19and I'll take it to a local Trading Standards office
0:42:19 > 0:42:21to see what they want to do about it.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24But remember, you have to do your research.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27Otherwise you too could end up falling into the cowboy trap.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31I've got a message for all cowboy builders out there.
0:42:31 > 0:42:32Give up!
0:42:32 > 0:42:37'As mum and Abi get busy decorating their new rooms,
0:42:37 > 0:42:41'I'm off on the cowboy trail once again.'
0:42:42 > 0:42:44If you've had a problem with builders
0:42:44 > 0:42:47and would like to tell your story on Cowboy Trap, please call us:
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Help us round up the cowboys!
0:43:23 > 0:43:28Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd