Why are bad tradesmen called cowboys

These are repairs made with whatever the man had available at the time without making a trip to the nearest store that might be 50 miles on mostly bad roads away. Some bailing wire, but mostly barbed wire, flattened tin cans, and sticks and scrap lumber scrounged on site seem to be the materials of choice. It is never pretty, but it worked, and often outlasted the windmill or whatever that it was fixing. When you find this stuff in the middle of nowhere, it is a testament to ingenuity, and some of it borders on art.

The same work in a place with ready access to hardware stores and lumber yards just says, cheap, lazy, and too stupid to know any better. Some odd and amusing cross-cultural confusion occurred at the NZ software company I worked for a few years back when the new, American, VP of Development started. He was from northern CA, has a ranch, and used saddlebags where others might use a briefcase — no, really.

His use of Cowboy in suggesting that we, as a software company, should be more Cowboy-like was met with bewilderment and disbelief — NZ usage being more commonly like that of the UK. I would think the saying has a lot more to do with cowboys constantly traveling from job to job, moving to the next ranch with work or the next rodeo.

The term gypsy contractor is used a lot for transient workers who are usually unlicensed and do shoddy work. The builder is cagey about referrals or brushes off requests to see work they have carried out previously. Or are they spinning a story about having completed some work in the area and have some extra materials they could use for your house.

Boy scouts used to come round and ask for a bob a job. If something sounds too good to be true, it generally is. Always source at least three different quotes so you get a good idea of what a job should cost. Find out how to compare quotes from tradespeople to get the right one. If they are willing to try and fleece the tax man, they might not hesitate to do the same to you. At least if you pay by credit card, you may be able to claim some of your money back from the credit card company if you do get ripped off.

If you prefer to pay cash at any point, get a signed receipt. Paper is a surprisingly solid foundation when it comes to building work. Always get things in writing. You want estimates of how much the work will cost and how long it will take, and a legally binding contract when you decide to hire them, otherwise they could end up charging you more, spinning out a job, or denying that they ever agreed to do things. Would you go into a restaurant and pay the whole price up front for a meal that you are planning on booking the following week?

Thought not. An established and reliable builder should be able to buy materials and be happy to be paid on completion and when you are satisfied with the job , or in stages as work progresses. If it appears to be out of the back of their van, they are not the builder for you. You want a registered business address, not a licence plate, so always check their back story and ask for proof that their business is fully registered.

We found out he goes into liquidation,then starts up again. He was also took to court previously but we found out too late. Avoid this company with your life. Squirrelchaser - Jul PM. The garage was attached to our property so required the correct DPC. Mike placed the DPC between sole plate and timber frame in the porch and garage instead of the correct way which is between dolly blocks and sole plate.

Building control wouldn't sign it off and Mike has refused to refund us or pay for remedial works to have both structures demolished and rebuilt, even claiming that the garage doesn't need a DPC. These are basic things a qualified builder should know! He even owes us money for work we paid upfront for, which he hasn't even done.

I left a negative review on google and said I would remove it out if goodwill if he paid for remedial works, becasue he would have made good. He is saying that I'm blackmailing him! Twists everything round like he is the victim! Hasn't a care for what he has done to my family, spiteful human being! Hols - Jul AM. I trusted my builder , Daniel,at Homewood Design and Build Ashford Kent He was so kind he even offered to drive me to hospital so when he asked me to pay the final bill I handed over the money I then realised that I had paid for work that he hadn't done I've asked him to contact me and I gotsilence His wife said he would come to discuss the outstanding work but he never did I have waited a year now and had to employ others to mend my roof all efforts to contact him are ignored rosarian - Jul PM.

Paramjit Singh who lives in Bilstonnear Wolverhampton Please do not use him he is dishonest The builder has put the tiles in the bathroom which has cracks in two weeks i called him but he never turn up, he has left the downstairs bathroom wall and ceiling un finished he suppose to come back and finish it, i have already paid him because he wanted to buy martial, he is now not picking the phone, and not replying for the messages, he has not change the light button which was part of the price he has quoted,i do not know where he lives all i know he lives near to my house.

I have paid him via bank transfers, but do not have the written quote he took it from me because he wanted touse it for the measurements to buy some more martial Zolo - Jul PM. My partner and I, who are both pensioners, had saved to have our bathrooms renewed. What bit he did do was all wrong and we had to pay another plumber to put it right! He refuses to give us our money back and says he is going to file for bankruptcy. We know he is still working and has a lot of work on at the moment.

No sign of him going bankrupt. He is a liar and a thief!! I have photos to prove what I am saying!! Collected deposit to purchase materials but didn't do the job. He's refused to give back the deposit and has now blocked us on all communication.

We've discovered a couple of other people that he has done the same thing to. We have reported him Action Fraud. Mags - 2-Jul PM. Takes money for materials up front and what work is carried out when he actually turns up is awful. I was left with non functioning kitchen and bathroom costing thousands to put right.

He is based in Waterlooville, Portsmouth, Hampshire. I have now filed County Court papers. Vicky - Jun PM. Imran Quraishi claims to be a builder for 20years! A total fraud! Nina - Jun PM. He calls himself a professional joiner.

Asked for money upfront for material. She is for and healthy on a beauticians course. He is on Facebook and is scum. Do not part with your hard-earned money or get him to carry out any work. He is a lying fraudster. What goes around comes around and I do hope he gets stung by someone the way he does to others. AG21 - May PM. The loft is not finished there is damage to the roof and very poor workmanship inside it does not comply with building regulations who state poor workmanship.

He is very messy left my house in a complete mess. I now have to spend more money to put this right. Sheffield - May AM. Avoid at all costs Chris Tamblin and his brother Gareth who is a plasterer, took money, left job incomplete and won't take calls or responses to texts. Also left beer cans all over the house. Totally ripped me off and over a year and still not finished. Used covid to say he had bills and his other work was on hold. Took money for equipment hire and materials and spent it.

Kay - May PM. Stung by two different builders in No chance of redress. There is a facebook page with a petition calling for the government to change the laws, so that rogue Tradespeople are held accountable.