Southport Building Expert is asked to appear on the BBC 

Paul Ennis a well known Chartered Building Surveyor and Fellow of the Association of Building Engineers has recently been filming with the ‘BBC Inside Out’ programme.

He was providing expert opinion on work carried out by cowboy builders and how you can avoid being caught out by unscrupulous building contractors.

Some of the advice Paul gave in the programme:

Don’t use the first Builder / tradesman you find.

Always get three detailed written quotes before selecting a builder. When you have selected a builder (although sometimes embarrassing, speak to previous customers to check out what they say is what they do).

Remember that the cheapest quote is often not the best. What matters most is that you find someone qualified and experienced to do the work.

Get a written agreement / contract on the work to be done – including the materials that will be used, and how long it will take – as well as how much it will cost.

Do not hand over any money upfront (although a small deposit is fine). Only make the final payment once you feel the job has been completed to your satisfaction. Don’t go for the tempting option of cash payments. Ensure all work is invoiced, with VAT. If the builder is not VAT registered – Why is he not VAT registered?

If the cost of the work is more than £10,000, it is worth considering employing a Chartered Surveyor to manage the work for you to ensure the standard of work is good and you are only paying a fair price for the work that has been completed.

Paul spent the day with the film crew at two sites giving his opinion of the work that’s been carried out. The programme is presented by Dianne Oxberry and is to be aired on BBC 1 mid February.

Paul is recognised as a local expert, has been a university lecturer and an expert in construction in Crown Court. Paul is now the Managing Director of the Paul Ennis Group. A local firm of architects, Chartered Surveyors and Chartered Builders. Paul can be approached via the company website www.paulennis.co.uk or by telephoning 01704 562675.