Elderly parents and the dodgy builder

[asterix]

It's not just small companies/tradesmen. My Dad was pressured by Npower into signing a document to switch suppliers and ended up paying for his gas twice. He'd no idea what he had signed What a game we had trying to sort it out. Even after we did, he still got bills from Npower..

 

[Black Sheep]

would it be worth contacting BBC's watchdog? they (and rogue traders) seem to take great delight in embarrassing dodgy tradesmen (especially rogue traders do)

details are on their website somewhere, i've got to set off to work otherwise i'd find them for you.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Another vote for contacting the police and Trading Standards. The more complaints from different people they get, the more likely they are to nab him. Probably. Hopefully.

OK, they might not nab him but at least it makes him known to them .. if he isn't already.

 

[Globalti]

It's the same old problem - older folk grew up in an era when people could be trusted.

 

[trj977]

Perhaps contacting the builder yourself and voicing your concern over the cost, standard of work and aggresive manner may be worth trying. After all you have nothing to loose. If not resolved then contact trading standards, police etc.

 

[dellzeqq]

I did contact an Architect who had charged the old girl £500 for a drawing that was for something she neither needed, nor could afford. He sent the money back.

 

[TVC]

Trading standards should be your first stop, they most likely have a file on the guy already, you're parent certainly won't be the first he's ripped off.

A useful tip I learned, if you have a workman in your house you don't know (even if they're from a utility), ask to take their picture before you let them in. If they refuse then they clearly don't deserve the work.