How to Spot COWBOY BUILDERS (in 10 Easy Steps)

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

If you are thinking of altering or extending your home and would like some advice, you can book an online consultation with me here - www.reallifearchitect.co.uk/online-consultation terms and conditions apply.

[@pt17171]

It's such a huge problem in the UK because tradespeople are unregulated and have no competence tests. You can turn 18 and become a "builder" working on critical parts of a persons home with no experience.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

That is an issue, no doubt

[@kegkog3]

Yeah I've found that here too. In NZ building work is very regulated. I work in the UK and we hire New Zealanders as carpenters because we know that they will be qualified and assessed to be competent and follow all NZ regulations. Of course NZ and UK regulations are slightly different, but as one country has constant risk of earthquakes, Hurricanes, volcanic activity, their regulations are going to be a lot more stringent

[@totalprecisioncarpenter5922]

Reputable construction companies take a deposit upfront to stop cowboy clients and to book a job into the diary

[@Brown969]

As a small-scale builder, this is really good advice. I often ask for a deposit of 10% to make sure the client is serious about the job. When I started out, too many people want the work and then cancel which left me with a huge diary management problem. Thank you for the video.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@daniel-1998]

Well according to his advice you are possibly a cowboy because you asked for a deposit 🙄.

[@axiomg522]

Very useful content especially people new to whole building and construction world.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Thank you

[@vitalijsmihejevs5518]

Agree on every sign. Thank you really good useful video

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

👍

[@zororat]

Very useful info. Thank you!

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Glad you liked it

[@Flimflamed]

This is one of the reasons, the next time I do anything with my house I will go through a certified architect. I don't mind spending more as long as the job gets done properly. There is no point in trying to nickle and dime on these things.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

👍

[@bethpicton9677]

Thank you ever so much! I found this advice very useful

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Glad you found it useful 👍

[@karlwhitehouse3052]

Generally good advice! I would not wholly agree with the VAT registration advice though. I was a small builder for over 30 years working in a rural community with one apprentice from time to time. There were other small builders in the neighbouring villages , so there was competition. I tried VAT registration, i couldnt get any work once registered as neighbouring builders were not VAT registered. Not all small builders are cowboys , they just dont need to chase the dollar all their life. This advice you have given on VAT does nothing for the up and coming youngsters who have to generate the turnover for Vat registration.

[@seanandersonbey3768]

To be fair and simple, like your video.. this truly helped.. great video.👍

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

👍

[@sukhvindertiwana586]

I've known a couple in the past who used to be my tenants. They purchased a house and paid a builder a large sum of money for work. They couldn't get in touch with the builder again and no work was started. They didn't have an address for the builder and he got rid of the mobile after taking the money.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

I know this happens. It’s probably very rare but it’s the kind of story that people remember and it gives the whole construction industry a bad name.

[@knockdrive1]

Excellent advice

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

No problem

[@leegr3732]

My builder hit about 6 of these, but is great, work completed to a high standard and project nearly finished, so I wouldn’t agree with all of these, yes, I could have gone to a big firm that wants to charge me double and then 20% extra, no thanks, cash is fine with me

[@ooslum]

I think it's often seen by clients and portrayed by the questionable builder that too much of this "detail" adds extra expense to a job, probably much the same as the services of an architect. If it's thought to be easy to omit sections of a process then the process is probably not well understood.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

I’ve heard this argument before; the more drawing I produce, the more it costs to build. It’s faulty logic. If I didn’t bother to draw a roof on the building they would eventually have to build one anyway and the contractor would describe the cost as an “extra”.

[@markturner6091]

You are wrong about deposits…….it is almost impossible to run a building business without payment of something upfront to aid the cash flow. Staff need paying weekly, generally by the time valuations are done, agreed and paid, it can be up to 8 weeks since that work was done. Then there are big cost items that need paying for in advance. If the build er is running a few jobs at the same time, the hole in the cash flow can be massive……..

[@user-lq1kp2qx5n]

Excellent video, thanks. Can I actually recover some money if I report a cowboy builder to Citizen's Advice/ Trading Standards? Can I use the recordings of my phone conversations with him as an evidence against him?

[@EamonnKee]

I don't understand your comment on fixed price contracts.. I thought it was the best way... Price the job Agree a fixed price sign a contract for that price everyone is clear on costs. Where is the problem there?

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

If you are altering or extending a private home it is almost impossible to capture every possible variable. The older the property, the worse it gets. I’ve been doing this for 14 years and the best I’ve managed is 6% over the original budget. We discover any number of unexpected items; drains, wiring, defective foundations, rot, damp, subsidence, lead pipes, asbestos just to name a few. They all cost extra and I always advise clients to have a contingency fund at least 10% over and above the original estimate. Check this video out for my full thoughts on the issues with older buildings kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2TZeXuXo9J6qKM

[@EamonnKee]

@Real Life Architect Thanks Neil. Explanation much appreciated!

[@michaelhughes1131]

Don’t forget not all clients are the best to deal with either that’s why as a builder if in doubt walk out

[@relaxationmood7420]

There is nothing wrong to ask for a first payment as the job starts. You can call it a deposit. This is not a sign of a cowboy builder. And a sole trader does not always reach the 85k to register for VAT. I've been a builder for many years and I have never cheated people. When you ask for a deposit you know for sure that the customer is serious about doing the job and won't change his mind. Cash payments yes, that I agree can be a sign.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

You aren’t wrong but I have seen this used by shisters to get money out of people and then do a runner. I agree that some clients can also act in an unethical way towards builders, I’ve seen that too. My suggestion is that clients purchase the first load of materials and have them delivered to site. Then they have skin in the game

[@martymountebank5995]

If the plans and spec are comprehensive why is a fixed-price not possible?

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

That’s a great question, the simple answer is that for a new build it’s more realistic but altering and extending existing properties, especially older ones, will always have unknowns.

[@SH-xx1en]

Thanks but found this video too late I'm out of pocket by 17k. My patio slabs are already moving and the summerhouse roof is leaking, only beem up a month.

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

Hi, I got your email earlier. I can’t help with this because it sounds like a legal matter, so your first step should be to speak to a lawyer and/or citizens advice. You could also report the builder to trading standards. Best of luck

[@SH-xx1en]

@RealLifeArchitect Hi Nick, really appreciate your content. Keep up the good work.

[@SH-xx1en]

Hiw can I report a cowboy builder

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

See my earlier reply, about trading standards

[@kennethwebb4385]

Dont give credit ..joe public will take your money off you ..been a builder for 50yrs ..keep your nose out mr architect.. Your financial outlay is a bit of time ..a pen and paper ..drop of fuel codt about 200 quid ..not 20 grand

[@wontbelongnow5567]

Cash is king why bother with paying tax. Its the biggest con out .

[@annaw7437]

I like all yours videos, as it's pure quality content, but these images of screaming/laughing? people were really disturbing. Dunno why, but I'll defo have nightmares about them 🫣🙈

[@RealLifeArchitecture]

🤣 that wasn’t my intention, honest!!!

[@knockdrive1]

When your builder arrives wearing a hi viz and a cowboy hat be worried 😂😂