COWBOY BUILDERS PREYING ON FLOOD VICTIMS

15 August 2007

Flood victims desperate to repair damage caused to their homes and businesses should be on high alert against unscrupulous builders - warns leading trade body the National Federation of Builders (NFB).

According to the NFB, there’s a high likelihood that cowboy operators will be targeting flood victims over the coming weeks, taking advantage of the desire amongst home and business owners to get back to normal as soon as possible.

Julia Evans, chief executive at the NFB said: “It’s understandable that people want to put the flood behind them quickly, however it’s vital that they carry out the relevant checks to ensure remedial building work is carried out to a high standard.

“There are over 100,000 complaints reported against rogue builders each year, and with billions of pounds worth of flood damage caused to properties during July, there’s a real danger that if unchecked, this figure will increase dramatically.”

The NFB has issued a list of advice tips to home and businesses owners when appointing domestic builders:
• Ask each builder for two or three references – and follow them up.
• Ask two or three builders for estimates in writing.
• Agree the work and get the agreement or contract in writing
• Ask to see the builder’s public liability insurance certificate.
• Avoid paying deposits and agree any payment schedule in writing.
• Beware the VAT-free 'deal' because it means that either the builder does not do sufficient business each year to reach the VAT threshold, or he is avoiding his legal tax liabilities.

Members of the public can also search for reputable builders in their area by using the NFB’s ‘find a builder’ search facility. This can be found at the NFB’s
website - www.builders.org.uk.

Nationally, the NFB represents almost 2,000 builders and contractors in across England and Wales.

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