Builder

A common rip off starts with a low estimate (always insist in a written estimate, othertwise you are lost from the beginning, and don't pay anything upfront)). When about 1/3 is done, the builder will ask for a partial payment of around 50% of the agreed total. As soon as he has this money he will ask for a revision alleging whatever. If you refuse he will just disappear. Be alert.

It appears from the wording of the post from Anne that she is well aware of the existence and practices of 'cowboy's builders ', hence her request for recommendations.

The last two posts replying appear to be simply a venting of opinion on 'some' builders and not giving the OP the information and help she has requested.

Hopefully someone who can offer a recommendation will respond.

LeckyLes 

Thank you that's exactly what I thought.  No real information  from it

Thank you that's exactly what I thought.  No real information  from it

Hi, On Monday of this week we had a Spanish builder in over two and a half days doing work in our property, the price quoted for the works we feel was fair and they done a very good job, always on time each day, you could set your watch by them, we never had to pay anything up front, but normally we feel 40% is the norm? Now if you can speak Spanish I would recommend giving them a call, if not it may be difficult to start with, but face to face you should be ok, as they speak little English, Now these builders are Torrevieja based and known locally with word of mouth giving them their work, that's how we were introduced, are you actually in Torrevieja as we would not know how far the would travel? We are sure that posting their telephone number would be ok, = Company name Reformas Albanileria en General ( Masonry Reforms in General ) Miguel Angel Jover Flores  03180 Torrevieja  (Alicante) Tel, 653 648 201. Good luck and we hope it helps.

What if a friend who is a builder from ireland wanted to built it but is not registered here is that ok or have to be registered sounds unfair 

We had a bad experience with a builder who was a (so-called) friend and have found out form bitter experience that if anything goes wrong afterwards you are unable to take any action without a written contract. Would always do this now so something to think about. 

Unfortunately in the 6 years we have lived here, we have been ripped off quite a few times,and I'm ashamed to say they were all Brits!!! In future we will save up for jobs to be done by reputable companies,starting soon with new toldos,and we will be going to Leroy Merlyn. No more Brit cowboys for us! 

We can give you a good tip for Toldos! Twice over the past year we have used Toldos Corona in Los Montesinos and they have been absolutely spot on. Once with a very reasonable repair to an existing awning and once for a new one. They are on the right side, heading to Torrevieja, past the garage.