Home / Crime and Justice / Cowboy Builders Strike Again: New App Offers Hope
Cowboy Builders Strike Again: New App Offers Hope
19 Sep
Summary
- Millions of homeowners experience issues with home repair jobs annually.
- A new app and trader register aim to protect consumers from rogue builders.
- One builder was jailed for defrauding nine victims of £400,000.
Consumers are increasingly vulnerable to "cowboy builders," with millions reporting problems ranging from unfinished to unsafe work. Many homeowners have paid thousands to rectify shoddy repairs. In one instance, Sheri Ingram lost approximately £14,000 due to a builder who was later jailed for defrauding nine victims of £400,000. This builder, Lee Slocombe from Swansea, has a decade-long history of offending.
To combat this issue, a new Trusted Payment app, endorsed by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, is set to launch. This system facilitates milestone payments with a 24-hour delay, allowing consumers to cancel if pressured. Payments are held in escrow until satisfactory completion, and projects over £2,500 include a two-year warranty.
Another case involved Paul Boielle, 82, who was defrauded of £30,000 by David Vincent for unnecessary roof repairs shortly after his wife's funeral. Vincent, from Orpington, London, was sentenced to 28 months in prison for fraud. Such incidents highlight the ongoing need for consumer protection measures like the upcoming register of trusted traders.
