0:00:08 > 0:00:09We're travelling across the country
0:00:09 > 0:00:13and exposing some of Britain's worst building bodges.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16They just left us in the lurch, in a big mess.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Cowboy builders ruin people's lives
0:00:20 > 0:00:22and they could be in a town near you.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24The biggest concern I had was the live,
0:00:24 > 0:00:27active wires which were hanging down from the ceiling.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29And with a little bit of help from our good guys,
0:00:29 > 0:00:34we're going to turn those nightmare projects into dream dwellings.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37You have your own house, and then to have something like this
0:00:37 > 0:00:41done to it, it is very heart-wrenching, you know?
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Remember, eyes and ears open and take on board all my top tips
0:00:46 > 0:00:49in the hope that it will keep you out of the Cowboy Trap.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Today, Cowboy Trap has travelled north of the border,
0:01:02 > 0:01:05to Edinburgh, capital of Scotland.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Edinburgh is a World Heritage Site, boasting its own castle,
0:01:09 > 0:01:12a Royal Mile and the National Gallery.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15It has its fair share of wonderful statues
0:01:15 > 0:01:18with decoration added by the local birds.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22Edinburgh has got everything you'd expect of a modern city
0:01:22 > 0:01:23and much more.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26It's got four universities, five theatres,
0:01:26 > 0:01:28two football teams - Hearts and Hibs -
0:01:28 > 0:01:32and it's even got two towns, an old one and a new one,
0:01:32 > 0:01:34and a cracking castle as well.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37But there's something else it's got...
0:01:37 > 0:01:38the odd cowboy builder or two.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42I'm here today to meet two unlucky victims of one of them.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46Housewife Archana Goyal and her husband, Pankaj,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49who works as a registrar at the local hospital.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55Archana and Pankaj met in 2003 when they were still living in India.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58I remember the very first date was...
0:01:58 > 0:02:03I used to have a bike, and we went out....
0:02:03 > 0:02:06I went out to pick her up,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08and that's how we had arranged to meet up,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12and we went to a small restaurant.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14'And then my parents went down to his house,'
0:02:14 > 0:02:18just to meet his family, and his family said,
0:02:18 > 0:02:22"No, no engagement, we want them married," and within three days,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25we got married of... the parents meeting each other.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30The Goyals moved to the UK so Pankaj could pursue his dream
0:02:30 > 0:02:33of completing the diploma of membership
0:02:33 > 0:02:35of the Royal College of Physicians.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40Archana and Pankaj have two children - Rishi, 4, and Urvi, 6.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43But it's been difficult for the Goyal family
0:02:43 > 0:02:44to settle into a routine,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47because Pankaj's medical training requires him
0:02:47 > 0:02:49to travel all around the country.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54The Goyals were concerned that their constant moving
0:02:54 > 0:02:57was preventing their daughter from forging long-term friendships
0:02:57 > 0:03:00and settling down into school life.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03They decided it was high time they put their roots down
0:03:03 > 0:03:04and set up a family home.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06And they've lived in Edinburgh long enough
0:03:06 > 0:03:09to realise that it's a great place to live.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15The Goyals started their house hunt in 2011, and it wasn't long before
0:03:15 > 0:03:19they found a place they liked in the East Craigs district of Edinburgh.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22They put in an offer which was accepted
0:03:22 > 0:03:26and they finalised the purchase of their first home in November 2011.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29We were all very excited,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33because this was the first time we had bought our own house,
0:03:33 > 0:03:38and there was a feeling of security, that my family will have a base.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40You know what it's like when you buy a new property.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43Your head is full of hopes and dreams for the future.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46And not long after moving in, the Goyals decided
0:03:46 > 0:03:49they wanted to completely refurbish the kitchen and bathroom.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52They also wanted to overhaul the central heating system
0:03:52 > 0:03:54and have a complete rewire too.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57The improvements were basically meant to enhance
0:03:57 > 0:04:01the quality of life for both ourselves and our kids.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05Archana and Pankaj found a builder through an online service
0:04:05 > 0:04:10and contacted him by email in late 2011, asking for a quote.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13The builder was Polish and didn't speak great English,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16but his assistant acted as a translator.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20Archana was impressed by their demeanour and attention to detail.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26He was rated highly by the reviews left on that website.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30And he had his own website, which was quite presentable.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32He sounded very promising.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36And maybe because of the presentation of him - he was
0:04:36 > 0:04:40wearing proper building clothes, not just formal clothes or something.
0:04:40 > 0:04:46He looked as if he knew the job. So, he instilled some confidence in us.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Here's a tip. If you want to use the Internet to research builders,
0:04:50 > 0:04:52be careful, be very careful.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Anyone can build a website.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59Reviews and even photos can be fabricated.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Only use websites run by organisations
0:05:02 > 0:05:04offering Assured Trader schemes.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08And, if you do find a builder that way, still do your research.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Speak to previous clients and check the builder's work.
0:05:13 > 0:05:18Archana and Pankaj were quoted £8,500 to cover labour costs
0:05:18 > 0:05:22and materials for the central heating and loft boarding.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25It was proposed the Goyals would supply the materials
0:05:25 > 0:05:28for the kitchen and bathroom refurbishments.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33The Goyals agreed, but then the builder dropped a bombshell
0:05:33 > 0:05:36by demanding £5,500 before he started.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38You know, I'm always suspicious
0:05:38 > 0:05:40when a builder asks for a chunk of money up front
0:05:40 > 0:05:43before the work has even begun.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Established and reputable tradesmen won't do this,
0:05:46 > 0:05:50because they will have accounts with various builders' merchants.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54If your builder hasn't got this arrangement, ask yourself why.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Better still, ask THEM why.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02The pushy builder got his money, and work commenced.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07But within a week, Archana was unhappy with the lack of progress.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09They took quite a lot of breaks.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12They were out smoking in the back garden.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15They started leaving around 3:30, 4:00.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18They would be out of my property by then.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20The whole kitchen and under the stairs there,
0:06:20 > 0:06:22it was full of their tools,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25so there was no space for us to move or anything.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27And, to be honest, because of that,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30I really felt an outsider in my own house.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32The Goyals also suspected
0:06:32 > 0:06:35the builder didn't know what he was doing
0:06:35 > 0:06:38when it came to fitting the new central heating boiler.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40He kept looking at the handbook.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42I questioned him, and he said he was certified back home,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46but he was not certified in Scotland.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49He was asking us questions, and we were querying him,
0:06:49 > 0:06:52which he was not able to answer properly.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55The builder was clearly a novice.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59The Goyals' central heating was out of action for three weeks
0:06:59 > 0:07:01in the middle of winter,
0:07:01 > 0:07:03while he tried to work out how to fit the boiler.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08During the main winter period of December and January,
0:07:08 > 0:07:12the first two weeks, we didn't have any central heating.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15And it wasn't only the boiler that caused consternation.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18The builder then said he couldn't find the stopcock
0:07:18 > 0:07:20to enable him to carry out the work on the plumbing.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24So Archana called in a Scottish Water engineer.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26The builder wasn't happy.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29He said to me, "Why are you calling him now?
0:07:29 > 0:07:30"We've been into the job three weeks.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32"You should have called him before."
0:07:32 > 0:07:35I said, "Before, you told us that you knew where the stopcock was.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37"Now you've told me you don't know,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39"so I'm just calling the engineer to help you out."
0:07:39 > 0:07:42The engineer immediately pointed out the stopcock.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45It was right outside the front door!
0:07:45 > 0:07:49He says to me, "Mrs Goyal, if your plumber doesn't know
0:07:49 > 0:07:52"where the stopcock is, it's time to change the plumber."
0:07:52 > 0:07:56You know, the Goyals' build was becoming a farce,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58and the builder's behaviour was becoming a joke.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00In fact, he would have been better off
0:08:00 > 0:08:02playing it for laughs at the Edinburgh Fringe.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04But the Goyals did not see the funny side of it.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07After all, they had paid him almost £5,500,
0:08:07 > 0:08:10and the job was still far from done.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Everything come to a head in mid-January,
0:08:12 > 0:08:16when the builder and his assistant demanded more money.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20They claimed they needed a further £1,000 for labour costs,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23but Pankaj refused to pay until he was provided
0:08:23 > 0:08:25with a Gas Safe Certificate for the works carried out
0:08:25 > 0:08:28on the central heating.
0:08:28 > 0:08:29He was quite angry,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32he was pressurising us, saying, No, no,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35we need to pay the money, we owe him the money.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38I started shaking, because he was loud, he was aggressive,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41there was no way we could even communicate with him.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43It was quite threatening, because he was quite a big guy,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46and there were three of them in the house,
0:08:46 > 0:08:48and I said, "I'm not paying you any more money
0:08:48 > 0:08:51"till you finish all these jobs
0:08:51 > 0:08:54"and at least give me the gas certificate."
0:08:54 > 0:08:56They said, "We are taking our tools."
0:08:56 > 0:08:58I said, "Just let them go, Pankaj,
0:08:58 > 0:08:59"just let them go."
0:09:00 > 0:09:03On the way out, this scoundrel played
0:09:03 > 0:09:06a really dirty trick on the Goyal family.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08He was so, so mean.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10He actually came back, disconnected my cooker,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13I was upstairs, and he went out shouting,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16"Cooker, cooker, that's all they want, cooker!"
0:09:16 > 0:09:20Not surprisingly, Archana was traumatised by what had happened.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24I've gone through a lot of anxiety,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27I've had periods of stress...
0:09:27 > 0:09:31For quite a few days, I would not leave my children out of sight,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35I was following them everywhere and I felt very threatened
0:09:35 > 0:09:37that they should come back.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40It's not surprising Archana felt so stressed -
0:09:40 > 0:09:42how could she cook for her two young children
0:09:42 > 0:09:46with her old cooker ripped out and the new one disconnected?
0:09:46 > 0:09:50To make matters worse, her house looked like a building site,
0:09:50 > 0:09:54with unfinished work and materials lying everywhere.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57The dream was becoming a nightmare, no doubt about it -
0:09:57 > 0:10:02we were hoping to create a small family house
0:10:02 > 0:10:05where kids are happy
0:10:05 > 0:10:07and have their own room.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10To have your own house and then to have something like this
0:10:10 > 0:10:16done to it, it's very heart-wrenching.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20After the builder left, Mrs Goyal was understandably concerned
0:10:20 > 0:10:21about the quality of the work,
0:10:21 > 0:10:24so she called in a qualified electrician
0:10:24 > 0:10:27to conduct an Electrical Installation Condition Report,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30and the results were quite shocking.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34The electrics report, which was given to me,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38states the house as dangerous, all the electric work as dangerous.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41The biggest concern I had was the live electric wires
0:10:41 > 0:10:44which were hanging around from the ceiling as well
0:10:44 > 0:10:49as the switches were hanging, they were not even fixed to the wall.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54Archana also arranged for an official gas work inspection.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58It turned out the builder wasn't registered with Gas Safe,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01so the work he'd carried out was illegal.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04The inspector said the boiler was potentially lethal
0:11:04 > 0:11:06and should not be used.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08What was happening was whenever the boiler was switched on,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11the immersion gases were coming back into the house.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15I've come across enough cowboy builders in my time
0:11:15 > 0:11:17to realise that they don't just mess with your property,
0:11:17 > 0:11:19they mess with your head too.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22And in this case, the Goyals have lost all confidence
0:11:22 > 0:11:25in ever finding a trustworthy builder again,
0:11:25 > 0:11:27but I'm going to reinstate that confidence,
0:11:27 > 0:11:30because we're going to get good guys in, that are local,
0:11:30 > 0:11:34to put this job right, but before then, I need to find out more
0:11:34 > 0:11:37of how they got into this mess in the first place.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- Aha!- Hi, Clive.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- You must be the Goyals.- Yeah. - Hi, I'm Clive.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- Now, I hear you've had problems with cowboy builders.- Yes.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55So I hope you don't mind, you're going to be Goyals on film,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58if that's all right? Do you mind showing me around, the problems?
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- Please come in. - Let's have a look.- Please.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05'I'll catch up with Archana and Pankaj later.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08'Meanwhile, I'm going to investigate the disaster zone.'
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Oh, yeah!
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Well, looking at this, straightaway,
0:12:13 > 0:12:17the first thing that hits me coming into the kitchen is the disruption.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22How can Archana prepare meals in here, with junk all over the place?
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Kitchen carcasses, cabinets, shelving units...
0:12:26 > 0:12:29this is a prime example of how a cowboy builder
0:12:29 > 0:12:31can wreak havoc in your home.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37The first thing that comes to mind is the electrical safety aspect,
0:12:37 > 0:12:41and where the downlighters are, we've got cables popping through,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44and I'm hoping, hoping,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46that these aren't live,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48because I don't know if you can see there,
0:12:48 > 0:12:50but there's actually cable,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53there's certainly tips of bare copper there.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55This is a little power tracer pen -
0:12:55 > 0:12:59all it does is it tells me whether there is actually live voltage
0:12:59 > 0:13:02going through those cables, so let's check it out.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04If it lights up red...
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Ah! Which it has,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10it's clearly red,
0:13:10 > 0:13:14so that tells me that there is live...those cables are live.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19Now, they're hanging down in three of the four holes
0:13:19 > 0:13:21that have been cut away for downlighters,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23and I would imagine that some of these cables
0:13:23 > 0:13:25that have been turned back in on themselves
0:13:25 > 0:13:28are also in the same sort of condition.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31This needs addressing and it needs addressing fast -
0:13:31 > 0:13:34it's not a way to be leaving a kitchen.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38From dangerous voltage to absolutely revolting.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41The pipe from the toilet hasn't been boxed in -
0:13:41 > 0:13:43it goes straight down the kitchen wall.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Yuck!
0:13:45 > 0:13:49I want to get out of this kitchen calamity as soon as possible.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53My next port of call, the fuse box.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55This is a 1950s house -
0:13:55 > 0:13:57if the builder hasn't changed the fuse board
0:13:57 > 0:14:01to handle all this new wiring, we've got a problem.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Look at that, that's a really old board.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10I reckon this was the one they've bought off Noah's boat sale.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13You see there? They're all rewirable cartridges.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16What they've got inside are these little pieces of fuse wire.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19And these days, the stresses and strains on electricity,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22because there's more demand, you've got big freezers,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25you've got big tellys, more lighting, etc, etc,
0:14:25 > 0:14:28this is way outdated and needs updating to proper breakers,
0:14:28 > 0:14:30and, of course,
0:14:30 > 0:14:3217th edition regulations it needs to meet as well.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36So that is definitely going.
0:14:36 > 0:14:43So far, so bad. Time to check out the bathroom.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Cables again down here - there's loads of 'em.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48You know, this here is flexible ducting
0:14:48 > 0:14:51and that's been designed, I would imagine,
0:14:51 > 0:14:56for the extractor fan, a ceiling extractor to go in there,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59but I'd like to know where that is actually ending up,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01because you get loads of them. Loads of these cowboy builders
0:15:01 > 0:15:04will just terminate them into the loft space,
0:15:04 > 0:15:06without actually venting them outside.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10And the venting in the loft space is a disaster.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12I'm not going to set foot into the loft,
0:15:12 > 0:15:14because I'll end up going through the ceiling,
0:15:14 > 0:15:19and that's the last thing the Goyals need, the pickle they're in.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22And it's about to get worse. When it comes to central heating,
0:15:22 > 0:15:27a proper engineer uses either microbore or 15 ml pipes -
0:15:27 > 0:15:31he doesn't weld different diameter pipes together...
0:15:31 > 0:15:32but this guy has.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Originally, it would have been microbore in this property,
0:15:35 > 0:15:40and what he's done, he's then put a bit of 15 on,
0:15:40 > 0:15:41and it's at these junctions here,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43where you're going to get lots of problems
0:15:43 > 0:15:47with it furring up. You're going to have to keep putting in
0:15:47 > 0:15:50a particular chemical to keep these pipes clean.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54It's not clever.
0:15:54 > 0:15:55'I've seen enough.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00'Now I want to find out what it's been like for Archana and Pankaj,
0:16:00 > 0:16:04'seeing their dream renovation fall apart.'
0:16:04 > 0:16:06The anxiety is very deep. No denying.
0:16:06 > 0:16:13It's not about, actually, the poor building work that they do,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15it's actually how they affect you as people.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18We started blaming each other, also,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20and the worst is when you have a builder come in,
0:16:20 > 0:16:22and he says to you, "It's all your fault,"
0:16:22 > 0:16:25you feel so bad inside, because
0:16:25 > 0:16:27nobody wants to be in a position like this.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31We didn't have any family, no friends to rely on,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34nobody to say, "Hey, bro, can you come and help me fix my thing?"
0:16:34 > 0:16:37or "Can you come and give us support?" We didn't have anybody.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41We're all, you know, sincere, hard-working families...
0:16:41 > 0:16:43nobody deserves it.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47'No kidding, but at last the Goyals' luck has changed.'
0:16:49 > 0:16:52We want to make you smile again, and no more tears.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- Sorry!- No more tears - we don't want any more tears, you understand?
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Wipe them away, so that they're gone for good, all right?
0:17:00 > 0:17:04- Apart from tears of joy - this is what we want, tears of joy.- Yeah.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- Is that OK?- Yeah, yeah. - What would you like us to do?
0:17:07 > 0:17:09What would you like us to do?
0:17:09 > 0:17:12We are predominantly looking at the kitchen and the bathroom,
0:17:12 > 0:17:16if you could help us to get it refurbished.
0:17:16 > 0:17:17A habitable kitchen
0:17:17 > 0:17:20and a bathroom that doesn't look like a building site.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25Not too much to ask for after you've forked out over £5,500, is it?
0:17:25 > 0:17:29I can't wait for the good guys to put this right.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31But first, I want to hear the thoughts
0:17:31 > 0:17:35of independent building surveyor Ken Donald.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39What is your opinion on what you've seen and what the problems are?
0:17:39 > 0:17:43The first reaction to coming in here is astonishment
0:17:43 > 0:17:47at the debris...or the construction materials that are lying around,
0:17:47 > 0:17:51and I understand that it's been like this for a number of months.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54'That astonishment turns to horror
0:17:54 > 0:17:56'when one looks at the electrical installation
0:17:56 > 0:18:01'and the loose ends and the uneven work that's been done,'
0:18:01 > 0:18:04and you start worrying seriously about the safety
0:18:04 > 0:18:07of the occupants in that situation.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Not just in here, in the kitchen, but in the bathroom as well.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12I always ask you guys for a mark out of 10,
0:18:12 > 0:18:16so I need a mark out of 10, Ken, if you don't mind.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18I can't give this more than 1 out of 10, Clive.
0:18:18 > 0:18:201 out of 10? You know what, I think that's generous.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23I've got to be honest, I think 1 out of 10's generous.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- Safety is the paramount consideration...- Of course.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29..and the builder left this in a very unsafe condition.
0:18:30 > 0:18:31'Ken's nailed it.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34'Safety comes first, especially with kiddies about.
0:18:34 > 0:18:39'I dread to think what could have happened if we hadn't got involved.'
0:18:39 > 0:18:42It's now time for me to cordon off this area,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46declare it a disaster zone, and only myself and the good guy builders
0:18:46 > 0:18:48can get past this Cowboy Trap tape.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51'And hey presto, here they are.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57'Local builder Bruce Collie and his Collie Squad.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01'And I've got one simple question for the big man...
0:19:01 > 0:19:04'I cannae wait to ask him.'
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Just tell me what your plan is to put things right
0:19:07 > 0:19:09and get their dream back on track.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11We'll strip out all the electrics,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- put a new complete ring circuit in the kitchen.- OK.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16We'll run it back to the new board,
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- 17th edition board, consumer unit. - Yes.- And everything'll be tested.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25We can have a safety inspection certificate as well, can't we?
0:19:25 > 0:19:29Oh, yes, everything gets tested and you have the certificate.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32The next thing is the heating. Unfortunately,
0:19:32 > 0:19:34they've run pipes in behind a plastered wall,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36no coverings over that whatsoever.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41Bruce and his boys have to sort the bodged bathroom too,
0:19:41 > 0:19:45so the Goyals are chipping in to help get it done.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48They haven't been able to have a shower for six months in there,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51which is incredible, when you think about it, a family of four.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- Oh, yes, absolutely.- It's just hard to comprehend.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57How long do you think it's going to take you to do that job, Bruce?
0:19:57 > 0:20:00We're looking for our team to complete this within two weeks.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06A fortnight to fix this? I cannae believe it!
0:20:06 > 0:20:10Can Bruce produce the renovation of the Goyals' dreams?
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Only time will tell.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21I'm back in Edinburgh,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24where the Goyal family's dream of setting up home
0:20:24 > 0:20:26was left in chaos by a cowboy builder,
0:20:26 > 0:20:31who left their home looking like a building site.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Archana and Pankaj found their Polish builder
0:20:33 > 0:20:38on the Internet, but it was a case of from Warsaw to eyesore,
0:20:38 > 0:20:40but our good guys sprang into action,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43and I've come to see if they've saved the day.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46The Goyals have given me access all areas
0:20:46 > 0:20:50as I take a sneaky peek at our fella's handiwork.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Oh, I tell you what, before I go inside,
0:20:55 > 0:20:59have they replaced the fuse board?
0:20:59 > 0:21:03Oh, yes, look at that! Now, I can get excited about fuse boards -
0:21:03 > 0:21:07I understand if you don't - but that is vital to this house.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Loving that!
0:21:09 > 0:21:12I nearly blew my fuse when I saw the dangerous electrics
0:21:12 > 0:21:15the cowboy left behind, but now,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18my karma is much calmer. See what I did there?
0:21:19 > 0:21:23Hey, French doors are on. Simple again, but ooh, la, la!
0:21:23 > 0:21:27It looks so different in here. I tell you what, it's amazing.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29The first thing that jumps out at me is,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32you remember that soil pipe that was just exposed there?
0:21:32 > 0:21:36That's been encased behind these wonderful carcasses and doors,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39great kitchen cabinets - it looks so fantastic.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42You've got laminate floors, skirtings on,
0:21:42 > 0:21:44walls are painted, great downlights,
0:21:44 > 0:21:46you've got lovely LED, uber-modern,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49and then a great centre fitting too.
0:21:49 > 0:21:50It just looks spanking!
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Now, the thing is as well, Archie can now move around in here
0:21:53 > 0:21:56and cook as she likes, invite guests in,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59great place for the kids to be, and I think
0:21:59 > 0:22:02very important is, I've already spoken about the fuse board,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05so the electrics have been done, loving that,
0:22:05 > 0:22:07the fact that they're safe really excites me,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09and I've got to tell you, right now,
0:22:09 > 0:22:14this is the proverbial chalk and cheese.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Yes! What a difference a skilled builder makes!
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Now on to the bathroom.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24This suite is sweet!
0:22:24 > 0:22:27It's hard to describe, you know,
0:22:27 > 0:22:31I always get...my breath gets taken away when...
0:22:31 > 0:22:34you've left behind an awful bathroom
0:22:34 > 0:22:37and now you see this, it's so uber-modern.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42Just loving the spa bath...
0:22:42 > 0:22:44the units, fan in place,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47great downlights, wonderful shower.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Flooring, walls...
0:22:51 > 0:22:54..loving the detail behind the shower as well,
0:22:54 > 0:22:58and I've got to be honest with you, I need to press the button.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Relaxez-vous.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08A Jacuzzi in a bath. Now THAT'S bubble-icious!
0:23:08 > 0:23:12But do I not like the devastation our cowboy caused?
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Look at what it was like before our fellas stepped in!
0:23:17 > 0:23:19We've gone to considerable lengths
0:23:19 > 0:23:20to give the cowboy a right to reply,
0:23:20 > 0:23:23so we can hear his side of the story.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27But he hasn't responded to any of our phone calls or letters.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30I want to hear the Goyals' thoughts on this,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33before I show them their new kitchen and bathroom.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37How do you feel about that, the fact that he hasn't come back?
0:23:37 > 0:23:41I'm not surprised, because the way he left my house that day,
0:23:41 > 0:23:44because he knew there was electrical work happening next week,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47he just ran on the Saturday before.
0:23:47 > 0:23:53So not surprised at all. You saw it for yourself, it was a mess.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55A mess is putting it mildly,
0:23:55 > 0:24:00and the real worry is that this cowboy is still out there.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02His website is still alive
0:24:02 > 0:24:05and it still claims all the good things he can do
0:24:05 > 0:24:09and it has lovely pictures of bathrooms and kitchens etc,
0:24:09 > 0:24:14and he's still got his profile on the website
0:24:14 > 0:24:17from where we hired him, and it's not down,
0:24:17 > 0:24:19it's not been taken down or anything.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23I can't emphasise it enough - use the web if you must,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26but if you want to avoid this kind of catastrophe,
0:24:26 > 0:24:28do your background research.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31The Goyals learned their lesson the hard way,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34but now it's my opportunity to give them something to smile about,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37and I can't wait!
0:24:37 > 0:24:41What I want to do is to take you on a grand tour if you like.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45- How excited are you about that? - Oh, we're very excited.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49We want to be back... We want our house as a home again.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Exactly, because you enjoy cooking so much as well,
0:24:52 > 0:24:56you want a nice kitchen to be able to work in and show off.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59First, I want to show Archie and Pankaj
0:24:59 > 0:25:02their new state-of-the-art bathroom.
0:25:02 > 0:25:07It was an eyesore - it's now a sight for sore eyes.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09- Are you ready?- Yes.- Yes.- Let's go.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Go in. Ta-da!
0:25:13 > 0:25:16Oh, wow!
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- Oh.- This is amazing.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23- What a difference!- Yes, it is. Incredulous.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27It's just superb. I mean, compared to what it was before...
0:25:27 > 0:25:32It doesn't feel like mine - it's as if I've gone on holiday!
0:25:32 > 0:25:34- So just looking around and loving the units...- Yeah.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38- Of course, you're loving the... - I'm just waiting to try it.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Well, you will wait till we've gone, won't you?
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- Yeah.- Of course, beautiful shower too.- Yes.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47- The whole thing, what do you think, Pankaj?- Oh, it's excellent.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50They have done the place completely.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54They've really used the material very well.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56It's fantastic, it looks great.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- Press that middle button.- Wow!
0:25:59 > 0:26:04I think the kids will be just amazed.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07The kids! You mean, you!
0:26:07 > 0:26:10- You're going to love that. Absolutely.- Yes.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- It really does look a million dollars now, doesn't it?- Yes.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15There's no doubt about it.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18So the bathroom gets the thumbs up,
0:26:18 > 0:26:21but how will the new kitchen go down?
0:26:21 > 0:26:25Come and check this baby out.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Wow!
0:26:29 > 0:26:32It was literally falling off. Wow!
0:26:32 > 0:26:36- It's lovely.- That's fantastic.
0:26:36 > 0:26:42Is this now a working kitchen that you could really enjoy being in?
0:26:42 > 0:26:45It'll be a pleasure to be... It is a pleasure.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49Look at it. It's just amazing. I'm loving the units,
0:26:49 > 0:26:54- the cooker, hood, everything looks so clean, great floor now...- Yeah.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57- ..all the walls, the lights, everything in.- Yes.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Is it everything you dreamed of?
0:26:59 > 0:27:02- Yes, I think that's how we visualised it, yes.- Yeah.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05And it's great to see, you know,
0:27:05 > 0:27:09- all the material we put in as you dreamed of it.- Yeah.- It's amazing.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12Now, the thing is, it's not just about what you can see -
0:27:12 > 0:27:15on this occasion, it's about what you can't see.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Obviously, all your pipework that you wanted to be
0:27:18 > 0:27:22put back in 15 ml, that's all now in, in copper,
0:27:22 > 0:27:27your electrics, being sorted, it just looks amazing on the outside,
0:27:27 > 0:27:31and all the things that are on the inside are so functional as well,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34- that you can't see, but are benefiting you.- That's true.
0:27:34 > 0:27:39That puts our mind at ease, and we can relax and enjoy our lives.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43- Happy Archie?- Very. Indeed. Very.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Yes, it's fantastic, it couldn't be better.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47- It's been lovely to meet you. - Thanks, Clive.
0:27:47 > 0:27:48- Absolute pleasure.- Yes.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51- I'll leave you to have a look around.- Thanks.- See you again soon.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Bye now. Cheers, guys!
0:27:53 > 0:27:54'What a top couple
0:27:54 > 0:27:58'and what a fantastic result! I'm on cloud nine, I can tell ya!'
0:27:59 > 0:28:04There's another happy ending to a villainous Cowboy Trap tale,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07and the Goyals' dream is now well and truly back on track.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10And remember, the good guys are out there,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13you've just got to do your research. And as for those cowboy builders,
0:28:13 > 0:28:16look out, because we're on your trail!
0:28:30 > 0:28:31Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd