A-Z of DIY & Building Guides How To Find A Good Builder

Comments

1. With regards to 'Bobski the Builder' you must have looked for the worst British builder you could find! My husband has been a builder for 20 years and has never ripped any one off, done a bad job, asked for money up front, used 'cheap' labour. We only ever seem to see programs on the worst builders around, how about doing a program on a good honest and reliable British Builder. They're not all 'Cowboys'. Anyone watching your program would automatically choose a Polish builder, aren't British builders having enough problems getting work in this climate. Why are we promoting cheap foreign labour?!?

   Posted by Berni Lane on 30/10/2008 13:18:10

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2. I watched the bobski programme last night, what a nightmare. I am a builder, a good one, according to my customers and this programme did not sit well with me. We allways get tar'd with the same brush - when will there be a programme about the good guys like me and mine. I am feed up with trying to change peoples opinions of us and this programme did not help. Come on give us skilled profesional tadesmen a chance - you won't be disappointed !!!!!!!

   Posted by Duncan Walls on 17/10/2008 19:58:23

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3. I run my own building buisness and have done for the past 15 years. I very get frustrated with these programmes for not advertising the "TrustMark" goverment endorsed standards scheme of which we have creditation and protect the consumer. By employing a Trustmark builder the customer is able to have 100% confidance and trust that a professional job will be done. In order to be Trustmark registared, the buisness has to be proved worthy and comply with the code of conduct. Our work is also assessed by an independant body. Trustmark have a dispute resolvement service which is there to protect the customer and the builder. I therefore recommend anyone who is considering having any building work to done, to look for a Trustmark registared builder. They may not neccessarily be the cheapest builder, but you will have the peace of mind in knowing they are a reputible company.

   Posted by Peter Zaminzky on 26/08/2008 22:32:01

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4. I find the Guild of Master Craftsmen the best source of tradesmen, unlike the FMB they have other tradespeople they have approved, not just builders - plumbers, carpenters, electricians etc.

   Posted by Richard Walsh on 20/08/2008 09:38:49

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5. Hi Marie Don't suppose you've caught 'Don't Blame The Builder'? It's the new Ch4 show and it tackles exactly this problem. The main question I have for you is this: do you have a contract and what does it say in it? If you don't then you're on quite shaky grounds when it comes to your rights... Can I direct you to these features - they may help you resolve your problem. And I suggest you watch next week's episode, which will be enlightening: http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/don-t-blame-the-builders/how-to-get-on-with-your-builders-08-08-05_p_1.html http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/don-t-blame-the-builders/when-to-call-in-an-arbitrator-08-08-11_p_1.html http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/don-t-blame-the-builders/don-t-blame-the-builders-08-07-29_p_1.html http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/don-t-blame-the-builders/how-to-create-a-building-contract-08-08-12_p_1.html

   Posted by Lucy 4Homes Ed on 13/08/2008 13:13:44

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6. my builder has walk of the job because i wont pay him all the money i own him he has done half the work and he wants the rest of the money now the job was priced at £36,800 iv paid him £34,800 i own him £2,00 so i told him i was not going to pay him untill he was finished and he told me he has not got enuff nomey to finish the job he needs more so when i went to work then came home all of his things had gone so i phoned him the next day because he didnt turn up and he said he was sick of this job he had under priced this and wants more money before he finish it so i was wondering is there anything i can do i realy need help can you help please or give the the info i need or point me in the right way thanks marie

   Posted by marie gaines on 12/08/2008 22:34:03

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