Bad / Rogue / Cowboy Builder - Basingstoke area

[donebybuilder]

Hi All,

 

New on here, but need your help already!

 

Have you had a bad experience with a Builder who is based in the Basingstoke/Hampshire borders area?

 

I can't be more specific for obvious reasons, but suffice to say I have had a very, VERY bad experience with a builder who is based in that area, although he has also worked in other areas of the country too, often in cahoots with a plumber who is also somewhat suspect in his workmanship.

 

For it to be taken seriously by the authorities and something be done about him, I need to try and find others who've been a victim of his shoddy workmanship and the fraudulent acquisition of their money. There's a world of difference between a one off contract gone bad and a pattern of behaviour going back years where his guilt is clear and unequivocal. I've been left with a home that is far from finished and have lost A LOT of money that I couldn't afford to lose and cannot do without.

 

If you've had problems can you post or message me please? I hope against hope that with a bit of group effort we could stop this guy, and if along the way we manage to stop a few others and link up cases it's all to the good!

 

Strikes me that there is a real need for a specific bad builder forum/site or confidential helpline reporting service where victims of bad building can convene at a central point and join the dots to others ripped off by the same firm/person. From what I've seen so far in trying to get help and support (and there is precious little out there unless you've got very deep pockets), everyone wants to know about other cases, but the means of finding those other cases is severely limited unless you turn private eye... but last I heard, stalking someone is not an entirely legal pastime!

 

Bottom line, it seems Trading Standards seem to no longer have the manpower or resources to fully investigate cases from scratch and make the required links between them because of budget cuts, and the crime rate just keeps on rising. Those in a position to offer help and support only get excited if you can hand them everything on a plate, documented and evidenced, tied up with a bow and sealed with a kiss. This puts the onus of being a detective onto the homeowner...bizarre, but true.

 

My one consolation through the frustration of trying to find other victims over the last few months, (without resorting to a public post on a forum), is the belief that leopards don't change their spots, and if a builder is prepared to rip off one person in such a detrimental and far reaching way, it's a pretty safe bet he's done it to other people. I just can't find them...

 

Please help if you can, and in doing so perhaps it will help you with your case too.

 

Thank you

Donebybuilder

 

PS.I don't expect anyone to post names etc on the forum, I wouldn't do that either! My forlorn hope was that if someone did have something to share, that this would be a means of making initial contact with eachother. I figured the details would happen either by private message or off the site completely. I don't want to get anyone (or myself) into trouble...but I am desperate. He has left us in a very big mess that without help, we can't fix...

[donebybuilder]

And this was why I've struggled with this for months without going onto an internet forum. Thanks a bunch. I'll be removing my post shortly and going back to being in hell... unable to sell it, unable to live in it , but still paying for it and I can't take this much longer. When you've been in the situation I am in, when you've experienced door after door being slammed in your face and every person you speak to passing the buck to yet another department/official body then by all means have a pop at me.

 

Right now I need to find other people ripped off by this man and unless you've been ripped off in the Basingstoke area or by someone from the Basingstoke area then your input isn't constructive or helpful, merely insulting and upsetting.

[ScarletPimpernel]

A frankly pathetic attempt at humour unapproved.

 

Grow up, Edwincluck.

[Conniff]

Agree, take no notice dbb, you get them on all forums unfortunately.

[rebel11]

Thread has been moved to the correct forum.

[Muzzer1965]

Hi DBB,

 

I tried to PM you, but as a new user, I need 15 posts to contact you. Can any Mod act as a go-between?

[Muzzer1965]

I have also added you as a "friend", so that I can contact you.

[Muzzer1965]

Donebybuilder, can you please contact me. I am in the same position.