0:00:07 > 0:00:10We're travelling all over Britain,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13exposing some of the country's worst cowboy builders.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17I've done everything possible to get hold of this person,
0:00:17 > 0:00:20and he's made no contact with me whatsoever.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23These jacks of no trades demolish people's dreams
0:00:23 > 0:00:26and make their lives a misery.
0:00:26 > 0:00:27There is every possibility
0:00:27 > 0:00:30we may have do rip it up and start again here.
0:00:30 > 0:00:31Oh, God, no! I don't believe this!
0:00:33 > 0:00:35But I've got the good guys in my posse
0:00:35 > 0:00:38to help turn these botched builds into happy homes.
0:00:38 > 0:00:44I feel...devastated that he can take my money and not complete a job.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46I feel...betrayed.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50I've given up most of my hobbies, I haven't been going out.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Erm...
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Sorry.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55Make no mistake,
0:00:55 > 0:00:59the next 30 minutes could well keep you out of the cowboy trap.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14Today, Cowboy Trap is in Ellesmere Port on the northwest coast,
0:01:14 > 0:01:16not far from Chester.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21Ellesmere Port is an industrial town dominated by an oil refinery,
0:01:21 > 0:01:25an old chemical plant and a long history of car-making.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28But it doesn't just produce manufacturing goods.
0:01:28 > 0:01:29The town also produced
0:01:29 > 0:01:33one of the most popular comedians of recent times.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Russ Abbott, famous for his Madhouse,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39lived here in Ellesmere Port. And talking of comics,
0:01:39 > 0:01:44the cowboy I'm on the trail of today is a right comedian.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47But what he's been up to is no joke at all.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50In fact, he's been laughing all the way to the bank.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56Make no mistake, this is a mega-Cowboy Trap.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58As usual, we have one cowboy,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02but this time we've got two unlucky victims,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06and they could just be the tip of the cowboy iceberg
0:02:06 > 0:02:1065-year-old retired insurance worker Delia Bartlett
0:02:10 > 0:02:15and 57-year-old aromatherapist Claire Blake.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17More from Claire later.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22Delia lives in this mid-terrace with her beloved Jack Russell, Daisy.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24She moved to Ellesmere Port from the Wirral
0:02:24 > 0:02:28after the death of her partner of 25 years, Martin.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31He suffered a heart attack at the age of just 49,
0:02:31 > 0:02:35and his unexpected death devastated Delia.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38I miss his...sense of humour.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42I miss his generosity.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46He would always let me go places where I wanted to go.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49He was very easy-going, a very easy-going man.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Delia decided to sell up her home in the Wirral
0:02:52 > 0:02:54and move to Ellesmere Port.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57She felt it would bring her closer to Martin,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00who'd lived here throughout all their time together.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03She bought a two-bed bungalow in a quiet cul-de-sac
0:03:03 > 0:03:06and moved in with her new dog, Daisy.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10But there was one thing that both Daisy and Delia were missing.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12I wanted another conservatory built,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14because I had a small conservatory in the other house,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18which...gave a lot of extra daylight.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23Delia knew exactly what she wanted and got three builders in to quote.
0:03:23 > 0:03:24She opted for the one
0:03:24 > 0:03:27who's a regular advertiser in the local paper
0:03:27 > 0:03:30and who had the most impressive brochure.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32I chose this particular builder
0:03:32 > 0:03:35because he said he could do a lovely job,
0:03:35 > 0:03:39they would be very clean and efficient,
0:03:39 > 0:03:43very reliable, they'd had plenty of experience,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45and he just seemed to know what he was talking about.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Take my advice!
0:03:49 > 0:03:52A glossy brochure or a smart ad in the local paper
0:03:52 > 0:03:55proves nothing about the competence of a builder.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57They might not even be photos
0:03:57 > 0:04:00of work that the builder's done themselves!
0:04:00 > 0:04:01The bottom line is,
0:04:01 > 0:04:05good references from satisfied customers are much more important.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12And getting references was exactly what Delia failed to do.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16She also didn't insist on getting a written contract
0:04:16 > 0:04:19or confirming the start and completion dates.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21These are the basics!
0:04:21 > 0:04:24So please, whatever you do, don't fall into the trap
0:04:24 > 0:04:28of ignoring them, because that is the cowboy trap!
0:04:30 > 0:04:34The builder Delia chose quoted £6,900 for the work
0:04:34 > 0:04:38and an additional £844 for a new front door which Delia wanted,
0:04:38 > 0:04:43making a grand total of £7,744.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48He also demanded two and a half grand upfront as a deposit. Ouch!
0:04:48 > 0:04:52Delia duly wrote out a cheque in December 2011.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I've got a bad feeling about this!
0:04:55 > 0:04:57As it was December,
0:04:57 > 0:05:01we didn't actually agree a date for the work to be done,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04because we didn't know how the weather was going to...turn,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07and I wasn't in any rush.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Then, just before Christmas, the builder contacted Delia
0:05:10 > 0:05:12and said he wanted to meet her
0:05:12 > 0:05:14because he'd got something to talk to her about.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17He said that he'd had such a good year
0:05:17 > 0:05:21he was prepared to offer a discount on the next instalment of two grand.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25That was as long as she paid up there and then.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27The cheek of this rogue!
0:05:27 > 0:05:32I hesitated a bit, but, erm...it seemed OK,
0:05:32 > 0:05:35so I paid a further £1,614.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Work hadn't even started yet,
0:05:39 > 0:05:44and Delia had already paid out £4,100,
0:05:44 > 0:05:48plus £724 towards the new front door.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50The builder did some measuring up in the January,
0:05:50 > 0:05:54and work finally started in mid-February 2012.
0:05:54 > 0:06:00The brickwork and the base were done by the end of February.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04And I've never heard anything from him since.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08If the incomplete work wasn't bad enough,
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Delia then got another shock.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15The brickie who'd put the base down asked for £1,300
0:06:15 > 0:06:18because he'd been subcontracted by the builder
0:06:18 > 0:06:20and expected her to settle the bill.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Despite her misgivings, Delia paid up,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26and then spent months trying to contact the builder
0:06:26 > 0:06:30to get him to come and finish the job, to no avail!
0:06:30 > 0:06:34I've wrote him e-mails, he's never replied to any e-mails.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37I've done everything possible to get hold of this person.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41And he's made no contact with me whatsoever.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Delia was left with a shell of a conservatory
0:06:45 > 0:06:48and the demolition of her dreams.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Having spent her life savings,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Delia's quality of life has plummeted.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58The whole experience has left her devastated.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00I haven't been going out.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Erm...
0:07:02 > 0:07:03Sorry.
0:07:10 > 0:07:11I've given up most of my hobbies.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19And he's given me a lot of money worries.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23You know, this is a really sad story
0:07:23 > 0:07:27and when I say cowboy builders ruin lives, I mean it,
0:07:27 > 0:07:30and the proof is right here.
0:07:30 > 0:07:31Delia is not the only one in the area
0:07:31 > 0:07:33that's been caught out by this guy.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37I'll tell you something else this is the local paper,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40and he's advertising in here not once but twice.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41It's sickening!
0:07:42 > 0:07:46This unscrupulous con artist is still out to snare
0:07:46 > 0:07:49unsuspecting homeowners in his cowboy trap.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53But I'm hoping we can put a smile back on Delia's face.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- MUSICAL DOORBELL PLAYS - Here she comes.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01What a lovely tune that is, Delia! Fantastic, isn't it?
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- Nice to meet you, I'm Clive from Cowboy Trap.- Hello, come...
0:08:04 > 0:08:07I hear you've had problems with cowboy builders.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09I certainly have. Would you like to come in?
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Please, I'd like to have a look around, for sure. I love that tune!
0:08:14 > 0:08:18While Delia puts the kettle on, I'm going to check out the conservatory.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Er, well, I would if there was one to check out.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25I'll tell you what, the sun is just breaking through,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28and it'd be a great little site here to have a conservatory.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32But we ain't got one.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34But what I can see is actually
0:08:34 > 0:08:39this dwarf wall base and the slab itself
0:08:39 > 0:08:41looks OK.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Of course, our contractor subcontracted this,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47and it looks like the brickie did a reasonable job,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50although I am worried about the cavity in this wall.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Water has built up. What I would have liked to have seen
0:08:53 > 0:08:56is that cavity was built up more to ground level.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01It almost certainly looks like it's about a brick below ground.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03There's water staying in there.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08If he'd have just put weep holes in, that water would have wicked away.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Talking about wicks,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14cowboy builders who take elderly ladies for over £4,000
0:09:14 > 0:09:19for non-existent conservatories really get on my wick!
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Time to get the inside story from his unlucky victim.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26You're sitting here, you're at the end of your tether.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27What does that feel like?
0:09:27 > 0:09:30I feel very helpless, very angry, very upset,
0:09:30 > 0:09:35because you've handed over this money, been taken in by this person.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38You've got no way of contacting.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42You can't find his address. He doesn't answer his e-mails.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45We know that there are people in this area
0:09:45 > 0:09:48that have been affected by him.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52Some of those people have been in touch with us at Cowboy Trap.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Totally separate from you.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58And there's a lady very close by
0:09:58 > 0:10:01to here that's also been affected.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04If I was to say to you, Delia, would you mind
0:10:04 > 0:10:06tootling along with me in my car
0:10:06 > 0:10:10and we have a sit down and have a chat with her and see
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- just how it developed for her, too? Do you fancy that?- Yeah.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Right, come on then, Delia.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19Shut that door, yeah?
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Now, your carriage awaits, madam.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24I am going to be your chauffeur.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32We're going to see Claire Blake,
0:10:32 > 0:10:36another unfortunate victim of this despicable desperado.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39If this unfinished conservatory looks familiar,
0:10:39 > 0:10:44it's because Claire has also been snared in this cowboy's trap.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Like many people around here,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Claire is an avid reader of the local paper
0:10:48 > 0:10:52and decided that was the place to find a reputable builder.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Over the years, because I'd been thinking of this conservatory,
0:10:57 > 0:10:58I had seen his adverts.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01The adverts were polished.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04And I thought, "Well, if he has been in this business
0:11:04 > 0:11:09"for...25 years, he must be trustworthy and safe."
0:11:10 > 0:11:13When Claire inherited some money from her stepmum,
0:11:13 > 0:11:15she decided to hire the builder
0:11:15 > 0:11:17to create the conservatory of her dreams.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19But guess what!
0:11:19 > 0:11:23Yep, it turned into an all too familiar nightmare.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27For starters, he didn't turn up on the agreed date.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30I rang and I rang and I rang.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33I must have made 15, 16 calls.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37And not once did he return them.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42And when the builder's brickie did finally turn up,
0:11:42 > 0:11:44Claire's worries just increased!
0:11:44 > 0:11:47The conservatory simply didn't get off the ground.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51Now, if all this sounds familiar, that's because it is.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55A huge deposit paid upfront, delay after delay,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58a brickie turning up and taking even more money,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01and of course the job never getting completed.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03In other words, an elaborate con.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07How can a man like that be trusted in the building trade?
0:12:09 > 0:12:14I hope and pray other people do not fall victim to him.
0:12:14 > 0:12:20Well, you and I both know someone who has, and she's not the only one.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22This builder has left a trail
0:12:22 > 0:12:25of angry and embittered customers behind.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29I feel this builder is a complete and utter conman.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31I feel...devastated
0:12:31 > 0:12:34that he can take my money and not complete a job.
0:12:34 > 0:12:40Claire's shambolic non-conservatory has cost over £5,000.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Ring a bell?
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- Hello.- Hello!
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Now, I'm looking for a lady called Claire.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- I'm Claire.- Hello, Claire, I'm Clive from Cowboy Trap.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Very pleased to meet you, Clive.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54And this lovely lady that I've got with me is Delia.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- Hello, Delia.- Now, Delia, meet Claire. Claire, meet Delia.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Because you've both been hit by the same cowboy builder,
0:13:01 > 0:13:03and you only live a couple of miles apart.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- Will you please both come in? - We will.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08No time for a cuppa!
0:13:08 > 0:13:11I want to check out Claire's conservatory or lack of it
0:13:11 > 0:13:13at first hand.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Deja vu or what?!
0:13:16 > 0:13:20Except in one crucial respect.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23We've got the invisible conservatory but we do have the walls.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27Now, this is very similar to what Delia is going through,
0:13:27 > 0:13:31but I have one thing to say, and that is, Delia,
0:13:31 > 0:13:35looking around now, which wall and base would you prefer?
0:13:35 > 0:13:38I think I'd prefer mine.
0:13:38 > 0:13:39You're not kidding!
0:13:39 > 0:13:43Poor Claire's breezeblock wall is so badly built
0:13:43 > 0:13:45I reckon it'll only last for a couple of weeks!
0:13:45 > 0:13:49In fact, if the third little piggy had built this,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52I reckon the wolf could have knocked it over in one puff!
0:13:53 > 0:13:56There's every possibility we'll have to do rip it up and start again.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- Oh, God, no, I don't believe this! - Yes.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02It's, erm... I'll tell you what, the nightmare's going worse.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- I have paid out good money for this. - Yeah.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08And it's just a living nightmare for me.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12When did he originally start your work, Claire?
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Originally he gave me dates in November.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20You must have both been in his sights at virtually the same time.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- Yeah.- Did you have a contract?- I did. Would you like to see it?- Please.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- Now, you didn't have a contract, did you, Delia?- No. Well, no.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30OK, let me just take a look.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- I'm sorry, it's a bit messy at the moment...- No, that's fine.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35..but it's been in and out, at least I've got it!
0:14:35 > 0:14:38OK, that's a written quote, it's not a contract.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43Oh, dear! Claire didn't have a contract either. Whoops!
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Take a tip from me!
0:14:47 > 0:14:51For any building work, you must draw up a formal contract.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54It should spell out a start date, a completion date
0:14:54 > 0:14:56and the breakdown of staged payments
0:14:56 > 0:14:59at each point where work is completed.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02That way, if things do start to go wrong,
0:15:02 > 0:15:04you have paperwork to fall back on.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07And talking of paperwork,
0:15:07 > 0:15:11both Delia and Claire got letters from the builder just this morning,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14promising to finish the work in a few months.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Funny, that!
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Why do you think, all of a sudden, he's sending these letters?
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Because I believe...
0:15:22 > 0:15:25My belief is he sending them because he's panicking,
0:15:25 > 0:15:30that pressure is being put on him by...Cowboy Trap.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- What do you think, Delia?- The same. - Do you think the same?- Yeah.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- Do you believe that he will turn up? - No!
0:15:36 > 0:15:38No. He'd never turn up and do the work.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42I agree with you. Totally.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45And so do I!
0:15:45 > 0:15:48I reckon this cowboy is making promises he won't keep
0:15:48 > 0:15:50in an attempt to get us off his back.
0:15:50 > 0:15:56But that ain't going to happen! His unlucky victims deserve better.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- What was life like for you, Claire? - I got very stressed over it.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04Erm... I think my blood pressure rose a bit.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05I have cried over it.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10I'm not surprised a tear or two has been shed.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Between them, Delia and Claire have spent nearly £10,000
0:16:14 > 0:16:17and have almost nothing to show for it.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21To get a second opinion on the task in hand,
0:16:21 > 0:16:25I've called in independent building surveyor Ewan Elliott.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Before you give me your verdict on...
0:16:28 > 0:16:30your opinion on what you've seen,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33first of all, I have to say, I was shaking this wall earlier,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35and, as you can see now, it's ready to come down.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- I don't want to stand too close to it.- For sure!
0:16:38 > 0:16:42Now, in terms of what you think of the work, just give us your opinion.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45It's very poor. The structure isn't safe at all.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47All it needs is somebody to run into it,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49it would collapse, somebody is going to get hurt.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54- It's not bonded to the house, you know, it's...- It's a disaster.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55- It really is.- It's not safe.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58And in real terms, in terms of the actual work itself,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01I don't understand why they've used block on the outer leaf
0:17:01 > 0:17:03unless they were thinking of facing it off.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- Just to save money, I would think. - Yeah.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Out of sight, out of mind.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10So the important thing now is your score out of ten,
0:17:10 > 0:17:12if you don't mind, for the work you've seen so far.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15A maximum of three, Clive, only three.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18A maximum of three, that is nothing to be proud of!
0:17:19 > 0:17:22So three out of ten for that wall,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25and a mere wall does not a conservatory make.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29But I know just the people who can make it ten out of ten!
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Our posse of good guys led by Paul Hilton.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37Mr Hilton has certainly got his hands full this time.
0:17:37 > 0:17:42Now, Paul, two conservatories, same builder...hit both of them.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- What's your plan?- We will have to demolish all these walls here
0:17:46 > 0:17:48to secure them to the building.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49The only problem I have with that one
0:17:49 > 0:17:52is it's been built out of gauge to the original house.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- The external leaves have actually been done in a porous block.- Yeah.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01- So you would always have damp issues there unless you rendered it.- Yes.
0:18:01 > 0:18:06Given the closeness to the fences, you're never going to get down there.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09You've got no chance you'd have to remove the fences to render it,
0:18:09 > 0:18:11and they had no intention of doing that.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14I don't believe they had any intention of doing that.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16And what's more, without a render,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19these breeze blocks won't just soak up water,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21they will look absolutely rubbish!
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Hilton's heroes wastes no time swinging into action.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31So much needs doing, Claire and Delia are chipping in.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35First up, removing those block walls at Claire's.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40Careful, boys, you don't want to drop one of those on your toes!
0:18:40 > 0:18:44Over at Delia's, the good guys install the outer window frames,
0:18:44 > 0:18:46carefully prepare the roof section,
0:18:46 > 0:18:50and then it's the moment we've all been waiting for,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53conservatory-fitting time!
0:18:53 > 0:18:57So will Paul's posse do the biz for our unlucky ladies?
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Only time will tell!
0:19:04 > 0:19:08I'm back on the northwest coast, not far from Chester,
0:19:08 > 0:19:10where Delia Bartlett and Claire Blake,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13independently and unaware of each other,
0:19:13 > 0:19:17contacted Cowboy Trap about the same cowboy builder.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21This louse took thousands of pounds off them for conservatories
0:19:21 > 0:19:25which, it's now become clear, he had no intention of building.
0:19:25 > 0:19:26And do you know what?
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Since Cowboy Trap started investigating these cases,
0:19:29 > 0:19:34we've learned of dozens more victims from around the area.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Local Trading Standards are looking into those other cases
0:19:37 > 0:19:41and have now launched a full-scale criminal investigation.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43It's great that they're taking action,
0:19:43 > 0:19:47and here's hoping the cowboy gets his just deserts.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50But here on Cowboy Trap, it's all about the homeowners
0:19:50 > 0:19:54who've been taken in and getting them back on track.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Our good guys have now finished their work,
0:19:56 > 0:20:00and I'm here to find out if they have saved the day!
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Before I show each conservatory to its proud new owner,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07I can't resist taking a sneaky peak.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10My first destination, Delia's house!
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Well!
0:20:13 > 0:20:15I'll just shut that gate.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Fill my heart with gladness, wipe away the sadness!
0:20:18 > 0:20:21I remember when I was here last time.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24The dwarf wall was fine, but no conservatory.
0:20:24 > 0:20:30The dwarf wall has now been utilised, conservatory looks top!
0:20:30 > 0:20:31It really does look so glam.
0:20:31 > 0:20:36And I always feel, when I walk away from a homeowner's property
0:20:36 > 0:20:39after they've been done over by a cowboy builder, I think, you know,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42"I hope this job is going to be great when I come back."
0:20:42 > 0:20:43I always know that it is,
0:20:43 > 0:20:47but there's that element of doubt in the back of your mind.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50But now I see it, it just looks marvellous.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54I mean, check the roof out as well I'm loving the style, the design.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57They've got the fleur-de-lis there and everything else on the top.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02It's just looks so nice, it suits this property down to the ground.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Remember, before, it looked like this.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Now, it looks like this!
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Now, before I talk it through with Delia,
0:21:14 > 0:21:19I'd like a powwow with both ladies about their cowboy builder.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21I wanted to find out his side of the story
0:21:21 > 0:21:25so I could hear their responses to his version of events.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30As usual, so that we... we balance things out,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32we always give our builders a right of reply,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35so we track them down, and we have a few words with them
0:21:35 > 0:21:40and ask them questions that we think you would like answers to.
0:21:40 > 0:21:46And I have to say, in this case, from what we can gather, anyway,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50your so-called builder I don't really want to call him
0:21:50 > 0:21:54a builder, if you don't mind has done a runner.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57But before he did, we managed to track him
0:21:57 > 0:22:00and ask him some questions.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02So the first thing he said was
0:22:02 > 0:22:06he blamed manpower and financial problems
0:22:06 > 0:22:10for the work not being completed. How does that make you feel?
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- Not true.- An absolute liar.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18We paid our money. We paid him upfront.
0:22:18 > 0:22:24He had my money for months before he even decided to do anything.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- And is that the same in your case, Delia?- Definitely.- OK.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30He said he got into financial trouble
0:22:30 > 0:22:34because he had to knock down and rebuild for free
0:22:34 > 0:22:39the work of a brickie that he'd employed on a number of the jobs.
0:22:39 > 0:22:44He told me he'd got good bricklayers and, boy, was he a liar!
0:22:44 > 0:22:49Because in terms of...in terms of your brickwork, I'm afraid...
0:22:49 > 0:22:52The whole lot had to come back down.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56That was so dodgy it was untrue when I was at your property last.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00Now, I know it's been distressing for you that up until recently
0:23:00 > 0:23:04he's continued to advertise in the local paper.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07And that must be galling, to know full well
0:23:07 > 0:23:10that he's ripped you guys off
0:23:10 > 0:23:16and he still was advertising up until recently in that paper.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18- Yes.- Definitely.- Definitely.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20He says he had to do that
0:23:20 > 0:23:24to get more customers in order to stay in business.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25He didn't have to do it.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28He could have caught up with the work with the money he'd got.
0:23:28 > 0:23:34What message would you give to people who see an advert like this?
0:23:34 > 0:23:37What have you learned that might help anybody watching today?
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Not necessarily the best looking advert
0:23:40 > 0:23:44and the biggest looking advert, week in, week out,
0:23:44 > 0:23:46is what you should be looking for.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49And to actually go and see the work and find out,
0:23:49 > 0:23:51because if anybody had have checked that
0:23:51 > 0:23:53and had knocked on either of your doors,
0:23:53 > 0:23:56they'd have found the fact they'd have found the truth.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00The whole truth and nothing but the truth.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Now's the bit I like best.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07The ladies have lived with the work as it's been going on,
0:24:07 > 0:24:11but now I'm going to reveal the finished results in all their glory.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17First up, Delia's going to see her brand-new conservatory.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Right then, Delia, come through.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Let's hold back the blinds...
0:24:23 > 0:24:24Thank you.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Wow! This looks better, doesn't it?
0:24:28 > 0:24:30Does it! I'll tell you what,
0:24:30 > 0:24:32it's definitely got the wow factor, hasn't it?
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- Yes.- I don't think there's any doubt about that.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Now, interestingly enough, as you look around,
0:24:38 > 0:24:42I think this conservatory not only suits this house perfectly...
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- Mm-hmm.- ..but I think it suits you.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- Yes, it does.- I think it's definitely you, there's no two ways about it!
0:24:48 > 0:24:51We've got lighting, we've got a ceiling fan,
0:24:51 > 0:24:53and again, I love the ceiling fans,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57because you've got winter and summer settings, which is perfect.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Wonderful tiled floor, and also you'll see there,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04you've actually got a digital thermostat for underfloor heating.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08It is a fantastic idea and a wonderful conservatory!
0:25:08 > 0:25:10It really does look the business.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13How will you enjoy this conservatory now?
0:25:13 > 0:25:15What will you be doing mainly in it?
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Oh, I'll be doing craft work, reading.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20How does it make you feel?
0:25:21 > 0:25:24It's helping me to settle in my home now.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27- Yes... So the future looking bright. - Very much so.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Yep, a bright new future
0:25:31 > 0:25:34in the conservatory Delia has always dreamed of.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37And isn't it a smasher?
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Right, on to the other wronged cowboy trappee.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Claire's house is just around the corner.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47Let's hope our good guys have stopped her going round the bend.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Oh...
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Let there be light!
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Oh, my...my goodness!
0:25:53 > 0:25:55So tall!
0:25:55 > 0:25:57It's...spacious, spacious.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59It is amazing, and especially, look,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02the first thing I wanted to check out was this wall.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Do you remember? We had that sort of rocky wall.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- We had two rocky walls.- Yeah! - We had two rocky walls.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10It really was in a real state, wasn't it?
0:26:10 > 0:26:12- This is solid.- Yeah!
0:26:12 > 0:26:15And, you know, looking at it now, I also notice again,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19just like at Delia's, Paul's fitted underfloor heating.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21You've got underfloor heating.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23I can't believe it, I really can't believe it.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25It's vast!
0:26:25 > 0:26:29It is...just wonderful. It's a glass palace.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35A glass palace with tinted solar reflective self-cleaning glass.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Nice!
0:26:37 > 0:26:41- Absolutely brilliant. - It's just so...
0:26:41 > 0:26:43It is actually beyond my dreams.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46The stuff of dreams indeed!
0:26:46 > 0:26:48From this...
0:26:49 > 0:26:51..to this.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53Hallelujah!
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Time to show Claire the view from outside,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00and I think she likes what she sees.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Oh, wow!
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Wow, you can just see the colour of the roof.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Yeah, it's got like that blue hue tint on it, hasn't it?
0:27:08 > 0:27:13- And the angle of the roof is just wonderful.- I am loving that.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17That is just...to me, that is huge.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20I didn't expect it to be so big.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22It's just fantastic.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26- So are you happy? - I am totally, totally happy, Clive.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Because it's been a long journey for you, hasn't it?
0:27:28 > 0:27:31- It's been too long, it's been too long.- Yeah.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33But at the end of it, what have I got?
0:27:33 > 0:27:35A beautiful, beautiful conservatory.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41Hearing sentiments like that makes my day, I can tell you.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44Nice one, good guys!
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Well, nice two, actually. What a result!
0:27:50 > 0:27:52You know, it's been great
0:27:52 > 0:27:55to help Delia and Claire out of their misery,
0:27:55 > 0:27:59and as for those other people that have fallen victim to this crook,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02of which I'd said there are dozens and dozens around this area,
0:28:02 > 0:28:05we've been liaising closely with Trading Standards,
0:28:05 > 0:28:06and I can tell you for a fact
0:28:06 > 0:28:09he won't remain at large for too much longer.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13But it does go to show how easy it is to fall into the cowboy trap
0:28:13 > 0:28:15if you don't do your research.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18And remember, there are loads of good guys out there
0:28:18 > 0:28:20if you just look in the right places.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23And as for those cowboys, I've got a message for you.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26Just look over your shoulder, because we're right behind you.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd