NEWS  

December 2003

IT COULDN’T HAPPEN IN THE WESTCOUNTRY

There must have been more than a few sharp intakes of breath as news emerged of the sting set up by Surrey Trading Standards to track – and prosecute - tradesmen who cheated customers. But, if readers think this sort of malpractice could not happen in the Westcountry, they are mistaken, according to Neil Turner, managing director of Bovey Construction in Ashburton.

“We have been told many stories of bad practice over the years,” said Mr Turner, “and not just on the part of tradesmen who make their living from emergency call-outs, when people are at their most vulnerable. It is a sad fact that anyone can set up a building firm, buy headed paper and bamboozle the unsuspecting customer with technical jargon and facts and figures taken from the world of fantasy.”
He urges householders who are planning any rebuilding work or even building from scratch to follow these simple rules:

  • check your builder is qualified – membership of the Chartered Institute of Building is a good sign;
  • find out what qualifications their team have – site managers should have at least an NVQ level 4;
  • ask if they have achieved – or are working towards - a quality award based on training and development like Investors in People;
  • request three references and follow these up;
  • ask if they have written a customers’ charter – unusual, but a growing trend among companies who take the trouble to find out what their customers want.

For more information, ring Bovey Construction on 01626 821919
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