Why Are So Many Builders Cowboys?
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 12. 01. 2021
- Roger discusses cowboy plumbers and cowboy builders and looks back at his time on the BBC with Watchdog and Rogue Traders.
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#CowboyBuilders #CowboyPlumbers #RogueTraders
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Rogers really coming into his own with this quick topic explanations/rants.
A beautiful thing to see years of wisdom eloquently released through the art of ranting ;)
#rantaway love it
Agreed, another nice wee belter.
The world needs more people like you Roger
Definitely i totally agree
Although I have never met Roger he is a great mentor! I have watched all his videos and picked up many great tips, methods and approaches. Thanks Roger, keep sharing your knowledge! Great guy đđœ
He's bloody brilliant isn't he. So glad he's on CZcams!
Correct
I bought an old house about four years ago. The house required a great deal of work done so I started employing builders, roofers, plasterers, etc. It has been a nightmare. I have yet to find a so-called tradesman that can actually do the work. They spend more time bodging the work than it would have if done if they had done it correctly. I am 76 years old and an ex builder so I know if the work has been bodged. There are very few competent tradesmen today due to the lack of skill training. They all want to be paid in the hand and will not accept cheques or cards, only cash. I have ended up putting right their shabby work, which shouldn't happen. What's happened to tradesmen having pride in their work.
I have the same problem, but am a semi retired building surveyor, who initially started on the tools as a carpenter, so know my way around a building site & also how to manage builders & building projects. But It's a real problem finding skilled tradesmen to help fix up my old Victorian house. The majority of people who advertise locally are just DIYers who clearly do not have a clue, yet claim to be tradesmen. They watch a couple of videos on the internet, then think they can do it, but after a few minutes of me asking them a few simple questions, it's clear they know absolutely nothing. For example, I've asked about 20 plasterers to quote for plastering a ceiling with lime. Not one of them had a clue & just assumed they'd be able to just skim it in one hit like they were using gypsum.
It's taken ages to find a few guys (none of whom are local) who can work to a good standard & know what they're doing. Although I'm still on the lookout for a roofer who knows something about roofs other than it's the sloping bit at the top of the house.
@@phoenixxavier9615 its an that'll do type attitude I've seen it too much, or just doing it cheaply and not to high standards, its not about the job anymore its about the money which is sad, having a job you actually enjoy is rewarding
Like somebody else said, cowboy builders have encouraged me to do DIY whenever I can. Not only does it save a huge amount of money, but there's no risk of having a terrible tradesperson round and it is quite satisfying learning new skills.
i kinda have to thank cowboy tradies. its because of them that i now know as much about doing things myself as i do. they also inspire me to keep learning so i dont end up as bad as them.
There should be a program about nightmare clients I bet thereâs more of them
"would you mind just doing this?"
Have to agree there is some terrible customers out there...
Yes luckily Iâve had a small hand full over the years but some do get on your nerves
Don't you just hate the ones that say whilst you are here can you.....?
I have no issue with being quite forward and saying i am here to do the works originally asked for (also been known just to walk off and stuff the job)
I am finding more try it on
The clients who can't make their mind up The clients who change their mind half way through the job. The clients who don't want to pay. And the list goes on
As a child I remember being a bit upset when my dad called me a cheeky little shit for asking him whether he was a cowboy builder. I thought it sounded cool.
Roger, during lockdown we moved to the coast, Iâve used your advice for all the plumbing work Iâve done, (belt and braces) Preparation and the proper tools, Iâve done some good jobs, installed bath and shower. Thank you Rog!
"Oh no dear, I never gamble!" - Love it.
You watched through to the end!
Its easy to get to the end when the content is qualityđđŸ
So did I.
I know was a brilliant end liner
oh I do love a rant. I remember when I was in the RAF as a mechanic on ground equipment which covered many things from refrigeration to hydraulics being asked by my Sergeant to fit a gas fridge into a caravan for the officers to stay in when on exercise. I replied are you sure? as I was aware of potential gas leaks, he replied F them they are only officers. Oh the good old days
Roger, you really are a multi-skilled guy. Your journalism, involvement in TV presenting, work you've done with manufacturers and experience in construction it's truely inspirational. I honestly can't wait for new skill builder vids to come out because I have a genuine interest in what you have to say, but....after this video I can't get the vision of you hanging out the back of Anne Robinson out my mind for some reason đ. Non the less, I'll continue to watch and look forward to the next one. You're a credit to the industry.
I can't get the vision of you hanging out the back of Anne Robinson out my mind for some reason đ. OMG.
Well done roger common sense at last ,Iâve been in building trade Since I was 14 now 60 all my work is recommendation nothing written on my van at all ,and have a 2 year waiting list do a good job ,youâll never be out of work
Never a truer word said mate. All the best.
It's the basic principles of economics. Read Adam Smith. When demand exceeds supply, the price for any given commodity or service goes up. If time is limited, you'll never be out of work.
I started 14 years old, but been in and out of the trade,
BS, who's gonna wait 2 yrs to get some work done?
Where are you based mate?
love all your vids Roger..and you're spot on..i love watching videos showing tips and tricks especially during lockdown - keep up the amazing work..if tonly there was a way i could show you all the great stuff I've done at home since learning watching your vids!
Brilliant Roger, I honestly could listen to you chat for hours, you should have your own radio station đđ such a wealth of knowledge.
Thanks for listening David. There is another rant on its way.
Spot on. You are right about CZcams being much better for this stuff than standard TV. I appreciate your stuff and I'm enjoying Robin's work too. The point is not necessarily doing the exactly same jobs at home but applying the methodical approaches you guys use. Thank you.
Respect you Roger for being a great human beingđđ. Thanks for the great video
Flocking to "CZcams" and giving up on television!
That's me - not had a TV since 2006! Saved over two grand licence fees and bought thousands of DVD's for when I do want to watch something, and there are a plethora of "CZcams" videos to help me do all the jobs around the house.
Thank you.
âSaved over two grand on licence fee and bought 1000âs of DVDs...â
oh the irony!đ€Łđ€Ł
Iâve got a 24â TV as the only set in the house, it only comes on for the Covid updates. CZcams all the way
@@adamhenshaw09 How much do you get when you sell your TV licence? Fool!
@@dmail00 donât be mean, sister. I was merely commenting on the irony of the poster âbraggingâ of saving 1000âs while âbraggingâ of spending 1000âs, all in the same breath. Do you not get the irony of that?! It a bit of a Triggers broom comment đ€Łđ€Łđ€Ł
@@adamhenshaw09 DVD's five for ÂŁ1 from local charity shops and even cheaper when "Cash Converters" closed down. Not to mention the movies I got online for free. Mostly passed on or back to charity.
Really enjoyed that rant Rog . Good honest common sense advice đđŒ.
Love how you managed to flick that bell at the end , very slick đđ§±đđŒ
Brilliant just brilliant!! Keep up the good work for all the good tradesmen and tradeswomen!!! đđđđ
Excellent video mate, were plagued with cowboys in the roofing game
Now this is a rant to which I am right behind you. In my day I could tell a cowboy by his tool bag but thats difficult for me today as today its a plastic box on wheels with a pull out handle and DeWalt all over its surface. When a tradesman came on site with his black tool box. Elegant Dovetails on the corners, the saws in the lid, a pull out drawer for the bits and bats. Box made when an apprentice, warms the cockles of ones heart. If the state of the tools did not match the quality or care of the box, which could have been bought at the local pub including tools the condition of the tools would give him away. Plus the spurs on his boots or the horse tied up on a scaffold putlog. Great video đđđ
Informative and hilarious - really enjoyed this as I knew nothing about Corgi before watching this. Good honest approach to the subject of cowboy builders.
amazing. said all that in one breath.
love 'roger's rants'
Thanks Roger, I really enjoyed this.
Roger ,you are a true man of principle. Good on you mate Cheers from NZ.
Love videos like this and the dulux one, really interesting and informative.
Brilliant well said Roger, love your channel thanks mate keep em coming and stay safe
Great stuff Roger. I do like a good rant and that was a classic!
Excellent video Roger, I remember Ronan Point, terrible day.
You have to remember most people watching cooking shows on TV are sat there scoffing a kebab or ready meal and never touch a saucepan. That's why over the years it's increasingly moved towards Masterchef style poncey nonsense with time limits. Similarly the practical DIY shows are not going to get the ratings that multi-million pound dream house building projects failing are, or dramatic rogue trader gotchas with some muppet on a motorbike. Thankfully we have youtube and channels like yours!
I think practical DIY shows can also attract viewers IF they're presented in an engaging way.
Garden and Home improvement shows such as (Garden Force or Changing Rooms) became popular because they presented each conversion job as a story and hired a likeable cast of workers, some of whom became household personalities.
Such a DIY show can also occasionally report responsibly on incompetence, without making it the focus.
Nice rant..
Word of mouth and recommendations is the way,
We moved in to our home last year, booked a Oil boiler service with a local recommended chap, turns out he installed the boiler and heating in the first place.
Electric modifications to the home were required also.. I used an electrician Iâve been watching on CZcams for a year or so, his price matched his high quality of work. Next job a side extension...
What a great chap at putting stuff over, keep up the great work and videos
I am also a cyclist. Haven't been out for a couple of weeks due to the ice.
@@SkillBuilder Its been treacherous in places and a drain on the NHS if we fall of, and an even bigger strain on customers who want a job doing.
You are a class act Roger. Kudos to you Sir
about 17 years ago, I purchased a complete heating system, radiators, boiler, poly-pipe and some copper pipe, (I can solder OK, no leaks), to re do our 4 bed house, I done all but the fitting of the gas to boiler, to the mains gas.
I got a qualified gas fitter to that side of it. the system was a gravity fed. 5 years ago, down sized to a 2 bed bungalow, I replaced the old rads, with some micro bore copper pipes, and got a firm to supply and fit a combi with a small amount of pipe work, as it turned out, the mains gas pipe had to be a larger pipe to feed the boiler. happy days. ps; thank you roger for your great videos.
I've just had 4 quotes to replace the main bathroom and ensuite shower. Not one plumber mentioned building regs, tanking wet areas and all were going to use plasterboard throughout with no membrane. So thank you for your videos as I've dodged a bullet paying way too much ...eg. ÂŁ600 to fit a sink
Hi roger thanks for the great videos, and itâs refreshing to see somebody else out there fighting for honesty, im in the motortrade and have spent my working life doing the same, and there is always a fight sadly, at one point i worked for a large garage chain and within days of pulling up a company director for committing fraud i was informed i was under investigation for theft, funnily enough this investigation quickly disappeared following me picking up the phone during the meeting with this director, he said what are you doing to which I replied i am offering my self up for investigation to the police for this theft as it will save the company having to lead the investigation, i have never seen a man panic so much and change his story so quickly in my life, for the 5 years after that during which i was still employed by the company that man avoided me like the plague and i prevented an old man being charged ÂŁ500 for work that was not needed. Keep up the good work mate, best wishes. Shaun
That is a good story. A lot of these garages routinely commit fraud on customers. I have a small garage that I have used for 40 years and, hopefully, they will continue. The challenge for them is to keep up with the technology which is designed to exclude anyone other than the main dealers.
@@SkillBuilder yes its a big problem, as in your trade there are a lot of good garages but human nature means there are bad guys too, i always flag it up if i witness it, i have enough friends if i upset a few crooks so be it :-) i work at a small place now as an mot tester and our place is honest so i dont have any worries there :-)
Great video rog always enjoy watching you a the spectrum of knowledge you have nice to be given an insight to your background đ
Glad you enjoyed it Richard.
Wow !!!!!! Absolutely loved that video Roger, great advice from a great tradesman đ
great channel this, me n misses are about to start a loft conversion with supervision from a couple of trade friends and our lad is about to start a plumbing apprenticeship. trade people are some of the best people to know always helpfull
Best of luck! You are not wrong
when i first started working with my partner many years ago, we went to a little old ladies house to look at a problem she had on her roof. We were not there long, it was a easy fix. She came out when we had finished, thanked us and gave us a mars bar between us. We just looked at each other thanked her and went on our way. All these years later and i still remember it, as if it was yesterday.
I spent most of my time putting right the work that had been done incorrectly. I did a job for a lady putting the wooden floor right that had been done wrong when I gave her the bill she complained because the people that did the floor originally charged her less per hour. I just put my head in my hands and I did the job as a favour to a friend as it was his mother. The mind boggles. Great video Roger.
It feels good to have a rant, I do it all the time ! The Bookies story made me laugh Thanks for that !
Would be good to see if all scheme providers were actually there to look after the consumer rather then just be there to generate a income.
I mainly work in the electrical trade and the failures i see of the schemes to protect consumers against sub standard work by registered members is shocking.
I know clients/consumers are not always right but i do think that any scheme provider that has a complaint about a member should then get an independent report on the work carried out and then take action against the offending member or confirm everything is done right to the client.
Word of mouth is the best way to get work
I think all the schemes are indeed independent businesses, so they're not consumer organisations funded by charity/state/council - we have Trading Standards for that. It wouldn't be in the business's interests to get an independent report. Who would pay for it? The customers of the scheme provider are the contractors that pay them, not joe public, so they wouldn't want to irritate their paying customers. Only Trading Standards would pay for taking someone to court as they're funded by you and me via our council tax.
Looked liked a young Robert Redford there on tv rodge. Not the actor, my old coalman he was called Robert Redford and he delivered coal for thirty odd years to our neighborhood.đđđŹ
Cracking rant Roger. Love it. Keep up this type of video. You're a public service hero!
A very illuminating video Roger. Nice one.đ
15 cowboys disliked this one. Good work Roger - the bookie story at the end was funny, double or quits :-)
What you said about making a show about showing people about fixing things was a good idea, because it would tell people what to look out for in a job what questions to ask , im watching alot of your videos to find out what good workmanship is, knowing these things would help seperate a cowboy from a someone decent ... i get your point that just showing all the bad doesnt give the full picture because youd never know how to spot quality ... but yeah it is helpful/entertaining to spot scammers but that not the full picture anyway good job on this vid and all the other quality videos you are making
Love your rants Roger. Keep em coming
Brilliant rant! Thoroughly enjoyable! Do you do any podcasts Roger?
Its funny as that's where I knew you from when came across this channel, from Rogue Traders and Watchdog :)
I'm not in the trade but love the content and presentation. Happy Christmas Roger B.....
The right decision Rodger, be true and make the world a better place. Bless you
Definitely moved from tv to watching all your vids and robins đ keep em coming
This is a topic close to my heart atm, but from a customer view. we have a full semi detached house to renovate, joist work, rewire, roof repairs, staircase repairs.. the lot.
Its damn scary trying to find reputable tradesmen, were now at the point of stuff it, go with a big name so we at least have someone we can sue when it all goes wrong.
As a self builder I can say that personal recommendation is the way to go and has worked very well for me.
Roger, you are a man of integrity and your experience shows how media are poison
Truly honest guy with good morals Roger đ
I got called in by the council to quote for some flooring work. When I met the clerk of works, on site to do the quote, I asked what the builders were like and he said " well, I won't say their cowboys but the 1st thing they did on site was build a coral for the horses!"
Sea horses I hope!
Brilliant video!, didn't realise i had been watching you on terrestrial all those years ago!
Another good video. Maybe my standards are too high but I`m just an average DIYer but I can`t remember ever having someone who actually done a caring job in my house. That`s why I do it myself whenever possible.
Excellent Rodger! Love your rants mate...you just say it how it actually is! đ
Well done Roger! Finaly an Honest crook (I'm joking of course), watch all your videos, thanks for the effort you put into the detail. Love the reviews of new products and your honesty. Non affiliated, non scripted opinion from experience- great knowledge base!
Ha funny you should mention about drain unblocking. I was convinced my old interceptor drain was blocked with concrete. Thames water came out to look and said as it's not a shared drain it's my responsibility. I called out happy drains, to their credit they had a fixed charge regardless of how long it took to unblock, much better than others. Out he came with his drain plunger and unblocked it in seconds. I was kicking myself for not buying a kit for ÂŁ25. The most annoying thing is Thames water spent half hour putting camera kit to back of house to see if drain was shared, they even had a plunger same as happy drains and could have easily unblocked it for me but didn't, clearly they were too focused on proving responsibility. Very annoying. Good lesson learnt though.
U can defo c that u needed to share that with ur audience, well done Rodger, am glad u got that off ur chest, take a bow, ur a legend..
Goodness me Roger is so fun to watch, what a character đđ€Ł
Just seen you on Grand Designs tonight....... Some guy watching your block and beam video.
Pure class absolutely loved that rant Roger đ
Nicely said!!
Wen ever we have tradespeople round, they always a few brews and a plate of biscuits.
Even bought one chap fish n chips and we ate at the table and had a right old chat!
I also have had fish and chips when working late on a Friday trying to get central heating going
You made my day, brilliant.
All these trade checks...Filled out by family&friends!
The problem in most trades is lack of training also coupled with the lack of maintenance. Another big no no is buying on price, it may seem a bargain tap or shower but belive me a ÂŁ500 shower unit is vastly different from a ÂŁ80 one. Builders today use the cheapest product available and call the finished house quality, most wouldn't know what quality is !
Roger thanks for the rant, most of us try and do our best all of the time.
The general customer distrust astonishes me. My tip for customers choosing cheapest is not always the best, I call this race to the bottom as no one can make a living and you have more chance of being ripped off. Also ask to see the trade insurance, most rouges carry none in my experience
very interesting indeed. Many thanks.
Wow you're famous. Sensationalism, confrontation, conflicts, etc, it does make for good ratings and we are hooked on this kind of negative entertainment. My favourite house program from the BBC was "Getting the Builders in", this was so nice because it captured the banter between the builders and they gave tips and tricks alongside the entertainment of the different teams competing to get the jobs. Such a shame it didn't continue.
Great rant Roger. My opinion is that cowboys of all flavours exist because we've created the conditions for that. People like me were pointed towards office work at school. We have an entire generation (or more) of people who are entirely abstracted from the fundamentals of living, so they have zero understanding of plumbing, electrics, house building etc etc. In other words, vital skills that allow people to live resiliently/fulfill their human needs. I have a leak in my shower just now, and under pandemic rules I probably shouldn't have a plumber in (I have another shower). I don't need to though because as a keen DIYer, I can fix it myself. I understand how my house is built, what it takes to maintain and fix most things within it. A plumber would do a much better job, and I'd normally phone one, but I don't have a complete reliance on one, and nor would I be tricked by a cowboy as I'd have the knowledge to question them. I really think intermediate level housing maintenance should be taught in schools. It's so important. Shelter, water, waste management, understanding insulation etc are things every single person needs in life, we shouldn't be so far detached from them.
Brilliant video keep them coming
Very good episode thanks
A man with morals. Thanks
We've only really had one lot of definite cowboy builders round, and that was using a well known 'recommended builder site' after a carpenter we'd used from it was fine. Being new to the area it was hard to get recommendations.
My boss on one of the companies I worked for was a rip off merchant. We were in a house in January looking at an old Vaillant boiler with a dodgy ignition system, it sounded like it was earthing out because it was a dull clicking noise. Possibly a crack in the cable but my boss took a screwdriver jammed it in the boiler and snapped off the support arm and then declared it was broken and beyond repair. I quit two weeks later going self-employed.
Compare with, for example, France. There a builder (macon), or other specialist such as plumber or whatever cannot operate (get their essential tax TVA - VAT - certification) without relevant qualifications. It's much harder there to set up compared to the UK where a van and a few tools is all you need. There it is very much harder to function without proper accredited standards. In the UK without good recommendation a builder etc is presumed a cowboy unless proved otherwise whereas the reverse is true in France...
Roger you are a credit to the industry.
Hi Rodger, TV has no hold on me at all, in fact apart from Dr Who (I have been a fan of that programme since I was a lad and now I am 69) I watch that on catch-up TV I have not seen a TV programme since 2015. I do watch too much you tube but it is all âeducationalâ like your videos, I have done every job associated with building a house including building a house from plans I had drawn up and got past by the local council, trenching, brick & block foundations right up to tiling the roof and all the jobs between so I think I am qualified, but I donât do any building now due to old age and my body giving up on me, so I enjoy watching what I cannot do myself any more.
The electrical industry NEEDs someone like you too!
Yes I think it has a lot of parallels. Most plumbers did not support my attempts to get CORGI sorted out, when it came down to it they kept their heads down and paid the fees with no representation on the organisation. The fact that the HSE gave them the powers to charge anything they decided was appropriate was a real injustice. CORGI was not supposed to make a profit but that is the easiest thing in the world to engineer. Big pensions, nice cars, expense accounts............
Brilliant Roger!
Great rant đ very entertaining.
Fun video and sounds like youâve done some good in your life đđ»
Great stuff Roger đ đ
i never knew you where such an advocate, the beers on me if we ever meet. job well done roger.
10:56 sounds so much like NICEIC
Excellent stuff. The next big con attracting the fly by nights is EV chargers,
brilliant stuff my man
You will never stop cowboy builders operating, some are just plainly conmen, other do not understand the art of building. A good builder will understand ground conditions, I.e. types of soils etc and plan correct type of foundations. Iâve come across builders digging foundation trenches next to large trees and have no understanding of foundation depth or the affects of trees near foundation or floors. A good builder should discuss with his client types of windows and doors, electrical and plumbing work, everything up to a final completion. Should offer a contract to be signed by both parties. The list goes on. On the other hand builders are expected to compete with any number of other builders for the same job but the majority of times they have no bill of quantities to work from, sometimes DIY drawings and customers who have not given any thought to electrical work,quality of materials I.e. sanitary ware, even wall and roof insulation, I personally turned up to see a client and it transpired I was the eleventh builder, others greet you by saying â which one are you â others forget and are not in and expect you to go back another time, is there such a thing as cowboy clients, you bet there is
Great stuff.
Well done Roger đđđ
My English is far from fluent, but I understood the meaning in every single word of it. Probably because it's my experience with the media, their popular pools and advertising revenue.
But I also believe that training in craftsmanship in general has deteriorated.
That was a great insight.
Well done Roger.
Iâm not a cowboy, Iâm an Indian. No really. đ
Pretty sure that I saw some Indian bloke who actually used that as a positive promotional advertising exercise. On the side of his van, "You've had the cowboys, now try the Indian". Think it was somewhere around Bolton.
@@loafersheffield haha I've seen that on a van around greater Manchester. đ
@@loafersheffield Seen that in croydon. Youv'e tried the cowboys, now try the indians.
Quality comment.
Roger is the king! Well said!