Brits robing Brits - Page 2

french martini, you say you operate a number of companies, one being a building company. Do you also do fitted kitchens? if so can I call you when I am over this December for a quote.

Hi Anne, I,m in UK after staying in Spain for 3mnths from April to end of June, but I,m back to Villena in September and would love to meet up then. I,ll private msg you with ph no. nearer time.👍

Pauline

Sorry Anne, forgot to add, estate agent in Gran Alacant (sold townhouse to get a finca)

Pm you in Sept. 

I so agree with you JennyT, we are vulnerable and added to my woes re Brit tradespeople, I also sufferred a total ransacking of my property 1yr after purchase and Spanish bank LaCaixa, refusing to pay out my insurance claim, so further loss of 20,000€ approx of belongings and 3 solicitors bills later had to give up fighting for our sanity. Now we have no confidence in living in Spain permanently.

It boils my blood when British tradesmen do this gives such a bad name for the other tradesman, an account gets off a plane in Spain and wow an experienced builder of ten years, it is all word of mouth with recommendations in Spain. The in the UK we had a Decorating business and continued it out here I never ask for payment upfront we make sure the client can look at previous work in Spain and UK and references. This is such a shame that people have no humanity and are always looking for quick buck. 

But Spanish can be the same as well when it comes to tradesman, I know a British couple who were robbed and Broken into by the Spanish builder they hired. 

Hi Pauline, look forward to hearing from you x 

Its funny if I were to say never use a German or Swedish company the R word would come out. I am not suggesting the ripoff merchants are not waiting to pounce naive people. But what was said with sometimes its down to the customer is true. Not perhaps in the case of the post owner, or anyone else reading this. But I know from working with my son, not in Spain but legally in the UK. At times customers will change their minds half way through a job causing increased costs and time to complete a job. 

However the same rules of due diligence apply in Spain as in the UK. Checkout suppliers and trades, get a contract and pay in agreed stages. Just because the sun shines won't make everyone helpful and honest, likewise not all English trades are dishonest and not all dishonest trades are English. Take reasonable steps to protect yourself and your Euros in your pocket.

It is such a shame that the good guys are well outnumbered by the rogues.  When we first moved here and wanted work done we got ridiculous quotes from some British guys who did not even come to view the house. We eventually used an established local Spanish firm but had to wait a couple of months as it was a busy time (Spring).  We took this as a positive as it meant they were popular in the area and people were happy to advertise their work with a sign as it was being done.  As we did not need to have the work done asap we waited for them.  A great job was done at a very good price complete with all the relevant paperwork.  If possible word of mouth is best and have found that many good tradespeople will happily travel quite some distance without charging any more.  Good luck.

Can I just point out that as Brits we tend to want to use tradespeople who we can understand so in many cases stick with Brits for work needed. I use many nationalities and have had similar problems with many of them.Equally I have used lots of people who have been wonderful. Its the person, not the nationality, that is the problem and unfortunately this area does attract a lot of unscrupulous people. I am currently having problems with a Norwegian workman!

I think a lot of the problem is that people don't have the same networks over here - using someone recommended is always best.

Anyone wanting a great kitchen fitted I have used KItchenPlus 1 in San Pedro twice - little bit of a language prob but we got there! I have been delighted each time. 

Don't ever pay anything before you are totally happy with it, always get receipts and remember you can use the Town Halls consumer departments if you are unhappy with any work.

Hi Tomb this is really not good news for the honest Brit we used a chap called Wayne Dodds company called Budget burners what a fantastic and honest chap he was we had our fire installed with him he sorted out our flu no extra cost I agree name and shame those rouge traders but also agree good we should ask for reference's and recommendations are really a plus.

We have used Spanish builders who have been brilliant and we used a chap from eastern Europe who was also very good. 

Good luck with your renovations 

Mark