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Cowboy Builders

Posted: Thu Dec 1, 2022 12:01pm
8 replies722 views5 members subscribed
Tomb

Tomb

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On 11th August 2018 I wrote a piece on this forum ‘Brits robbing Brits’ which evoked quite a response. In February 2019 I had building work done by an English man who is a self styled welder and builder from San Miguel de Salinas. I was not happy with the shoddy work and refused to pay part of his bill which he originally wanted paying in cash. The amount was 1660€ and he eventually took this matter to court. My house insurance company took on the case on my behalf which meant there was no legal fees payable by myself. Well, before it came to court, this so called builder used two other solicitors to progress his claim and after my reply to them didn’t receive any further response. The case went ahead on 22nd November 2022. The judge issued his verdict a few days later. The verdict: The builder failed to carry out work correctly and also overcharged. His claim was rejected and he was ordered to pay me compensation in the amount of 340€. The morale of this post. DO NOT ACCEPT COWBOY BUILDERS stand your ground and let’s all rid them from Spain.

Kimmy11

Posted: Thu Dec 1, 2022 11:09pm

Kimmy11

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Posted: Thu Dec 1, 2022 11:09pm

Hi Tomb,

Great post, thanks for sharing it.  I do get frustrated by the attitude of those who say, "This is Spain, don´t expect anything better".  Spain has laws to protect consumers, so it's encouraging to hear your story - good on you for pursuing the case and securing a judgement in your favour.  Now that the details are on the public record, I think you should "name and shame" the builder as a warning for all of us not to use him.

Kind regards,

Kim

Kim007

Posted: Mon Dec 5, 2022 11:38am

Kim007

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Posts: 187

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Location: La Romana

Joined: 28 Sep 2021

Posted: Mon Dec 5, 2022 11:38am

Tomb wrote on Thu Dec 1, 2022 12:01pm:

On 11th August 2018 I wrote a piece on this forum ‘Brits robbing Brits’ which evoked quite a response. In February 2019 I had building work done by an English man who is a self styled welder and builder from San Miguel de Salinas. I was not happy with the shoddy work and refused to pay part o...

...f his bill which he originally wanted paying in cash. The amount was 1660€ and he eventually took this matter to court. My house insurance company took on the case on my behalf which meant there was no legal fees payable by myself. Well, before it came to court, this so called builder used two other solicitors to progress his claim and after my reply to them didn’t receive any further response. The case went ahead on 22nd November 2022. The judge issued his verdict a few days later. The verdict: The builder failed to carry out work correctly and also overcharged. His claim was rejected and he was ordered to pay me compensation in the amount of 340€. The morale of this post. DO NOT ACCEPT COWBOY BUILDERS stand your ground and let’s all rid them from Spain.

Thanks for the warning.  Good to hear you stood your ground.  In any country and from all walks of life and different nationalities there are many shady people.  The world has many cowboy builders.  

Gloria68

Posted: Mon Dec 5, 2022 9:09pm

Gloria68

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Joined: 7 Oct 2020

Posted: Mon Dec 5, 2022 9:09pm

Tomb wrote on Thu Dec 1, 2022 12:01pm:

On 11th August 2018 I wrote a piece on this forum ‘Brits robbing Brits’ which evoked quite a response. In February 2019 I had building work done by an English man who is a self styled welder and builder from San Miguel de Salinas. I was not happy with the shoddy work and refused to pay part o...

...f his bill which he originally wanted paying in cash. The amount was 1660€ and he eventually took this matter to court. My house insurance company took on the case on my behalf which meant there was no legal fees payable by myself. Well, before it came to court, this so called builder used two other solicitors to progress his claim and after my reply to them didn’t receive any further response. The case went ahead on 22nd November 2022. The judge issued his verdict a few days later. The verdict: The builder failed to carry out work correctly and also overcharged. His claim was rejected and he was ordered to pay me compensation in the amount of 340€. The morale of this post. DO NOT ACCEPT COWBOY BUILDERS stand your ground and let’s all rid them from Spain.

Hi

Well done but it puts a strain on life, they should have banned him from working

Kim007

Posted: Mon Dec 5, 2022 9:16pm

Kim007

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Joined: 28 Sep 2021

Posted: Mon Dec 5, 2022 9:16pm

Gloria68 wrote on Mon Dec 5, 2022 9:09pm:

Hi

Well done but it puts a strain on life, they should have banned him from working

As a chapter in your life it is one of life's experiences!  We all have lots to learn from all the rotten apples in the world.  

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AdieR

Posted: Tue Dec 6, 2022 1:15pm

Posts: 9

6 helpful points

Location: Benijofar

Joined: 20 Oct 2020

Posted: Tue Dec 6, 2022 1:15pm

Tomb wrote on Thu Dec 1, 2022 12:01pm:

On 11th August 2018 I wrote a piece on this forum ‘Brits robbing Brits’ which evoked quite a response. In February 2019 I had building work done by an English man who is a self styled welder and builder from San Miguel de Salinas. I was not happy with the shoddy work and refused to pay part o...

...f his bill which he originally wanted paying in cash. The amount was 1660€ and he eventually took this matter to court. My house insurance company took on the case on my behalf which meant there was no legal fees payable by myself. Well, before it came to court, this so called builder used two other solicitors to progress his claim and after my reply to them didn’t receive any further response. The case went ahead on 22nd November 2022. The judge issued his verdict a few days later. The verdict: The builder failed to carry out work correctly and also overcharged. His claim was rejected and he was ordered to pay me compensation in the amount of 340€. The morale of this post. DO NOT ACCEPT COWBOY BUILDERS stand your ground and let’s all rid them from Spain.

Well done for pursuing this. I note other comments requesting that the builder be named and shamed, and also as a warning to others needing building work done. Can I suggest that naming the guilty party might also assist legitimate builders based in or near San Miguel, from being associated with the complaint. 

Kim007

Posted: Tue Dec 6, 2022 1:29pm

Kim007

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Posted: Tue Dec 6, 2022 1:29pm

AdieR wrote on Tue Dec 6, 2022 1:15pm:

Well done for pursuing this. I note other comments requesting that the builder be named and shamed, and also as a warning to others needing building work done. Can I suggest that naming the guilty party might also assist legitimate builders based in or near San Miguel, from being associated with ...

...the complaint. 

Totally agree.  Spanish government should keep and maintain a register of legitimate builders who are professionally qualified and make it public so people like yourself can use it. For builders or construction workers to use this website they should be inspected and evaluated by officials.  

TheRower

Posted: Tue Dec 6, 2022 3:23pm

TheRower

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Posts: 489

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Posted: Tue Dec 6, 2022 3:23pm

What struck me about this builder is that not only does he do shoddy work, but one assumes he finds it of an acceptable standard. If he thought it was sub standard, he would surely not have taken you to court.

Kim007

Posted: Tue Dec 6, 2022 3:27pm

Kim007

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Posts: 187

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Location: La Romana

Joined: 28 Sep 2021

Posted: Tue Dec 6, 2022 3:27pm

To help everybody please elaborate.  Can you describe this male who does shoddy work?  What is his background?  Where does he come from?

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