Nearly one in four (24 per cent) Brits has suffered at the unskilled hands of bogus builders and repairmen, and have collectively paid out over £6 million to fix the aftermath, according to Lloyds TSB Insurance.
Victims of these rouge tradesmen have paid out an average of £538 to correct the damage caused to their homes, with those in the South West (32 per cent) most likely to suffer from the curse of the cowboy trader. The age group most at risk are those over 55, with 35 per cent having been caught out.
Most likely to mess up were plumbers (30 per cent), followed by general repairmen who attempt to carry out jobs such as fixing doors and windows (24 per cent), with electricians scoring 12 per cent, according to Lloyds TSB.
Satisfaction Not Guaranteed
When it came to the quality, a staggering 49 per cent of respondents said they were dissatisfied with the workmanship, while almost a quarter (24 per cent) had been left with damaged walls or ceilings.
Thirteen per cent experienced flooding after their encounter with dodgy plumbers, and nine per cent found potentially lethal bare wires left by haphazard electricians.
When asked how they had found these workmen, 33 per cent sensibly asked for recommendations from friends or family, while 31 per cent picked a name from the telephone directory.
Phil Loney, Managing Director of Lloyds TSB Insurance, said: "When faced with a domestic emergency, such as a burst pipe, most of us would be forgiven for reaching for the phonebook and calling the first tradesman we find.
"However, it pays to do a bit of research to ensure that you don't end up with a bodged job and aren't left facing a second repair bill. Any good insurance company will be able to give you peace of mind by putting you in touch with a trustworthy company."
Lloyds TSB Insurance has compiled a list of tell-tale signs that a tradesman may not be trustworthy:
- They offer a good deal for cash - this is usually so they can avoid paying VAT
- They say they can start the next day. A good tradesman will usually be busy unless they are carrying out emergency repairs.
- They can only be reached by mobile phone and do not provide a business card.
- They are unwilling to put you in touch with past clients who can show you examples of their work. If anything about them makes you feel wary, it is always better to be cautious.
- They demand payment upfront. Never agree to pay in advance and if you're going to be paying in stages, don't make the final payment until you have inspected the work and are happy that it is satisfactory.
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