Articles
Advice and guidance to help you check a builder before you hire.
rogue builder-scamsBuilder Got It Wrong: Cost The Homeowner £55,000
Imagine paying a builder to do your dream extension — and ending up paying £55,000 more just to fix their mistakes.
rogue builder-scamsAnother homeowner scammed for £37,000 from a builder who did not get building control and planning.
It's happening again — another innocent homeowner, £37,000 gone. The builder seemed genuine. Said all the right things.
rogue builder-scamsOtley Family Left Homeless-Builder Denies Taking Cash Payment
An Otley family has been left devastated — and homeless — after a rogue builder took their savings.
identity reputation-manipulationFake Qualifications – Spotting Builders Who Lie About Their Credentials
It's one of the oldest scams in the book — a builder flashing fake badges, made-up memberships, and invented qualifications.
money payment-scamsThe Phantom Quote Trick – When Cheap Turns Out Costly
It always starts the same way — you get a quote that is hundreds, maybe thousands cheaper than the competition.
money payment-scamsThe Stage Payment Shuffle – When Work Stops Every Time You Pay
You have got a payment schedule, the builder is on site, and things seem to be moving. Then — the work stops.
contract paperwork-deceptionThe Dodgy Contract Scam – Why Rogue Builders Avoid Written Agreements
If your builder says, "We don't need a contract — my word's my bond," stop right there.
workmanship compliance-failuresThe Cowboy Subcontractor Switch – When Your Job Gets Palmed Off
You hired a reputable builder — or so you thought. You met the boss, got the quote, agreed the price.
rogue builder-scamsThe Disappearing Builder – Half-Finished Jobs, Empty Promises
It's every homeowner's worst nightmare. The skips are still on the drive, tools are scattered everywhere… and your builder has vanished.
workmanship compliance-failuresThe Planning Permission Lie – When Builders Say "It's Fine" (But It's Not)
It's one of the biggest cons in domestic building — and it catches thousands of homeowners every year.