Series 5 - Episode 3: Northwich
A grieving couple fall prey to a cowboy.
A grieving couple fall prey to a cowboy.
The dynamic duo come to the aid of a pair of newlyweds whose extension plans have descended into chaos.
Dom and Mel return to some memorable stories.
Comments (91)
16 hours ago
Monaco escorte
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12 months ago
Brookers
Why is this advertised as new when it's last years
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over 1 year ago
Mr G
I understand a lot of how they go about obtaining there information and would be very happy to tell you all but I know that they would just remove all the comments.
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over 1 year ago
Louise Russell
I am not happy about this programme. The way it is presented, we don't get a full picture. The episode today, 11.9.11. made me feel extremely uncomfortable and I felt some information was missing in defence of the builder. This is all done for entertainment, and I'm sorry, but it's equally as bad as the so called crime they are attempting to expose. There's more to it than meets the eye.
over 1 year ago
Gill
Why is this episode not available? Sort it out!!!
over 1 year ago
andy
yer come on 5 just let use no way we cant watch ep 2
over 1 year ago
bob
y is ep 2 still not avalublae to watch come on five
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almost 2 years ago
Adam
Steph : Get a life this show is trying to help people out who have had their houses destroyed. what is so wrong with that?! Are you jelous that people are getting their problems fixed for free or something?! And i believe that the 'small man' as you relate to him as probably would stand up to these people if he was on his own as he is standing up for what he believes is wrong! now what is so wrong with that! If you had a valid opinion then fair enough but do not sit there having a go at people that are trying to help out people. How dare you Steph!!!!!! Well done channel 5 keep up the good work i just wish there were more people like you in the world!
almost 2 years ago
Christina
How dare people say Melinda is cowgirl and I feel Don is great they all do excellent job, this program has given Insight into cowboy builders who have destroyed peoples lives. This is an excellent program
almost 2 years ago
davy
The continuity in this program is really bad. Melindas hair is long while walking into a business then miraculously is loads shorter when she is walking through the place. I acknowledge melinda replied earlier saying she sometimes wears extensions but does she put them in while walking about. Also tonight she was sitting in the garden using an iPhone 3gs which then became an iPhone 4 a few seconds later then back to a 3gs. Still really enjoy the program just needs somebody better in charge of continuity. It's as if ch5 are being dishonest with us exactly like the dodgy builders they're exposing.
almost 2 years ago
Steph
Well said Jennie
almost 2 years ago
Jennie
Steph, those don't like freedom of speech shouldn't be here.
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almost 2 years ago
Steph
Gavin behave, as we live in a democracy it is our right to watch what we want and give our opinion. If you want censorship move to Libya, I'm sure you wont be missed. Same to you H. Is the reason you couldnt say it better perhaps cos you are a sheep and just follow people? Shame.
almost 2 years ago
H
here here Gavin - couldn't have said it better myself !!!!!
almost 2 years ago
gavin
no one cares.dont watch it if you dont like it,or is it a case of the british whinge syndrome?
almost 2 years ago
Edelle
i hope everyone understood my message, can we just let it go, they are presenting a show to make our or else peoples community safer so they can live and not have to stay in a bomb shell of a house that is just unfair and justice is something we should hold on too!!
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almost 2 years ago
Dan
I just watched this programme & I am shocked at how biased the programme presented the facts. I agree with other comments that there are always 2 sides to any story and there must be much more to both sides of this story. I can say this because Yan has done work for me in the past, she certainly does understand building regs & she wouldn't build anything that won't meet building regs requirements. there must be more to that part of the story. the work yan has done for me in the past has always been fine. Maybe that's because I have always paid what was agreed and I always paid Yan on time. I hope the moderator won't delete my comments because this is the truth.
almost 2 years ago
Jon
This program is not only wasted taxpayers money but also produced for making money for Channel 5.
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almost 2 years ago
Steph
Looks like the moderator is going trigger happy with the delete comment button. Hiding other peoples views wont exactly give a balanced view or opinion on things will it? Oh wait a minute, that's exactly what your shows do, old habits die hard I suppose.
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almost 2 years ago
Callum Helmer
Well done Dom but John Mel's cheef Builder made me laugh when he discribed that bricklaying as horrendous and as somebody who has done bricklaying at college That bricklaying was an amateur's job.
almost 2 years ago
Callum Helmer
Well done Dom but John Mel's cheef Builder made me laugh when he discribed that bricklaying as horrendous and as somebody who has done bricklaying at college That bricklaying was an amateur's job.
almost 2 years ago
Jon
Scottius, people with brain will agree with you. The problem is there are so many thick people they are ready to take any junk, no wonder the 'faster food' media business become richer. But, comes around goes around, News of the World is under spot light all over the world, maybe more will be exposed soon......... The result could be like the 'Watergate'... The method the media used to treat people are inhuman, the family of murdered Milly Dowler is not alone. That little man had made hell of mistakes in the show, on one side he sent his 'surveillance team' to 'catch' the cowboy builder, on the other side, he admitted ' she accepted his interview the very next day'. The so-called fugitive cowboy builder is exaggerated, not as bad as they are portrayed. It is not a fair play. You are right, if I don't pay my mobile phone bills, I'll get cut off. I wonder who is ripping off whom in this story, Dom said the family paid £36k to the builder to have a huge two story building extension done, and shown on 3D, the rear extension, too. Melinda was looking to buy a 5m wide bi-folding door, it got to be more than 6m length steel RSJ installed, you must know 6m is an industrial length. All these have never been mentioned. Dom obviously favoured the one he believed 'victim'. Trademen are always baddies to him.... I posted one comment to tell people Angry Builder Nigel Gray demolishes Anita's porch over £22k unpaid costs. Channel 5 has removed my comments, they fear of what?
almost 2 years ago
Scottius
Jon, Steph, i Get what you mean totally, but i digress that you are going to be smacking youre head against a brick wall with the channel 5 crowd. have you ever seen the other documentaries they show? its not exactly Nat geo or Discovery stuff. A child could find the programming patronising. if jeremy kyle ever moved to channel 5 it would have a wrestling ring in the middle of it. It really is junk food telly. you'll think its good to start with, but inevetably you're going to feel dissatisfied and dirty, no doubt have a good wash after. back to the story though, as a tradesman myself, you'll only ever work to the price you agreed to and the extent they've paid for. if they start causing problems and won't pay, you make safe and stop work immediately. if they dnt want you after several years, its thier problem, and not my problem. if they send that mole of a man in with his fluff on the side, i'll point them straight to my solicitor. bbc rogue traders were much better. they used to catch them in the act of being bad. if they don't block this message i'll be very surprised...
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almost 2 years ago
Steph
They should do an episode from behind the cameras to see how much involvement the presenters actually have, they are clearly only there for a few hours of each series, all of the work is done by the unmentioned researchers. Unfortunately the vast majority of this shows viewers are so gullible that they would believe you if you told them you had tartan paint. Again I expect this will be removed by the moderator.
almost 2 years ago
Jon
Steph, just look what's going on with the medias, and the police in this country, who can trust them anymore?
almost 2 years ago
Jon
channel 5: why blocking a normal comment?
almost 2 years ago
Jon
jack, you are the kind of people to believe anything the New of the World told you!!!
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almost 2 years ago
Steph
So my comment was approved then deleted? What happened to freedom of speech?
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almost 2 years ago
Cheryl
John the presenter is fair......the cowgirl builder is the 1 who is not fair, builder is an understatement.
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almost 2 years ago
Cheryl
Steph, how the hell is melinda a cowgirl? She is doing right what the cowgirl builder did wrong? Have a feeling you are friends with the builder, only explanation for the criticism you give.
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almost 2 years ago
Architect7
Can I know why was my last message deleted?? I said nothing offensive at all. I just said that if you do not know how to build, just don't do it because it can be dangerous. I don't get why it was removed...
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almost 2 years ago
John
A sad reflection of modern Britain. Need I say more ?
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almost 2 years ago
jon
I thought we lived in a democracy. Channel 5 rejected my comments, because simple I agreed with Steph that in this episode builders have simply made mistakes. Labelling them cowboys is not always relevant or fair. Why arent there shows called 'Cowboy customer who don't pay'?
almost 2 years ago
Jon
Yes, I agree with you, Steph, Between making a mistake or intention to con people is very different. Cowboy Builders has mis-judgment, misrepresentation. The story is exaggerated for money making like The News of The World !!!
almost 2 years ago
Steph
Spot on Jon. I have no problem with genuine cowboys being exposed but it is clear in some of the episodes that the builders have simply made mistakes in running their business rather than doing a shoddy job or intentionally ripping people off. Labelling them cowboys is not always relevant or fair. Why arent there shows called 'Cowboy Doctors', 'Cowboy accountants', 'Lawyers' etc, every profession has those who have made mistakes yet builders seem to be the only ones treated like this.
almost 2 years ago
Jon
People don't trust the media anymore. They only report the part they want to for their own purposes. The News of the World is just ONE of them !!!
almost 2 years ago
Steph
I agree there should be something in place to properly represent both sides. The show claims to do this but it is immediately biased against the builders purely from the name of the show. Some customers do cause a breakdown in communication. I am not justifying the actions of any cowboys out there but not all in these programmes are as bad as they are portrayed, it's all about one sided evidence and clever editing. I would bet money that Messenger and Littlewood would not even recognise any of these builders now if they saw them on the street. Some viewers out there are willing to believe anything they see on tv without a balanced story.
almost 2 years ago
Jon
Bungy,I agree with you. The owner had good relation with the builder, then this changed, why?
almost 2 years ago
Bungy
Manchester Blue I did not say that they knocked down the price but they could have caused a breakdown in the relationship through a variety of ways. I have had both good and bad builders and also got relatives in the trade and know that sometimes workmen get harrassed by their clients for additional extras at no cost or just the level of calls and they dont care about the time. I think it would be nice to see a program that also looks at both sides as some builders get recommended by word of mouth and some will be slated because someone had a bad experience yet on a whole they are great builders just that relationship did not work for a variety of reasons. Most people dont generally go for the lowest bid on a job but they look at all the quotes and the person and go from there.
almost 2 years ago
Jon
Why not produce a new show called 'Cowboy owners'? Builders often cannot complete work because owners didn't pay. Article from: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23479810-pictured-builder-demolishes-own-15000-handiwork-after-customer-fails-to-pay-bill.do This is how a builder got his own back after a customer failed to pay for a conservatory and porch he built her at a cost of £15,000. Nigel Gray sent in his workmen to demolish the porch with sledgehammers and dismantle and remove the conservatory.
almost 2 years ago
Jon
It's very rare a con builder came to present herself. I don't believe the presenter is fair.
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almost 2 years ago
Jon
Steph, you are right
almost 2 years ago
Nick Gunn
Manchester Blue I agree they shouldn't have to put up with bad workmanship but everything else i said i stand by.Why would i wish to retire? Oh and you ain't my pal, have a nice weekend!!!!
almost 2 years ago
ManchesterBLUE
Bungy how can you comment about two sides to a story? Fact is regardless of being knocked down on price which is possibly true she still took on the jobs, Jimmy your complaint about the person leaving comment as "China-Man"?? So what, get a grip and complain about something relevant.For alls you know, he might actually be a Chinese Man??? Nick Gunn, I am also an honest builder however I dont think your comments of catorgorising the minority are fair. Its also unfair that any person regardless of how much they get knocked off their quote should have to put up with crap work, nor does it justify or even up the scales that a dog rough building company should provide low standard work just because they've been beaten to the floor on their quotation. I negotiate jobs everyday and reduce as I see fit. Fact is if I want the job and see a proffit in it i'll go as low as i need to so I win the job. I dont then think right I'll do nothing by the book, reuse old materials, not connect the drains and make sure that anything I do is unsafe. yeah that'll teach them!! 34 years as a builder?? Maybe its time for you to retire pal???
almost 2 years ago
sarah
im really happy for the mother she seemed so depressed and sad, seems like such a lovely family. and if Yan is feeling cheated and hurt, good she got a taste of her own medicine. well done channel 5
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almost 2 years ago
bungy
I could not believe it when I saw this episode as I know this woman and part of me could believe some of what was reported but the other part also thought how much you can only see one side of the story, you do not know how much the other party may have caused a break down in the relationship causing more of an issue than would have been left. I think everyone needs to remember that you do not see both sides of the story and a big side of this is to bring in the viewers. And yes she is Chinese she has a married name
almost 2 years ago
Jimmy
Was Yan really Chinese with a non Chinese surname, also the person who named themselves China-Man (Chinese man) did you know that this is actually offensive I.e England man as opposed to an English man. Can the moderator please change this name please
almost 2 years ago
JJ668
Yan! You really give chinese community a bad name, shame on you.
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almost 2 years ago
Nick Gunn
As an honest builder who has been doing this job for 34 years, i would bet these people would have had loads of quotes that varied considerably with 2or 3 in the same price range and one that was so cheap, greed got the better of them,it happens all the time at the moment and the foreigners are the worst,they agree a figure and don't stick to it,try to get out of paying etc etc and how can Chinese who can't speak English know about are Building regs.Perhaps it would be nice to show some honest Builders for a change. They both got what they deserved!!
almost 2 years ago
dan lindor
why have all of you come on hear to bad mouth the pople that are doing something good for a family if u was in there place i bet you be ova the moon if channel 5 came and knocked on ur front door!!! keep it up channel 5
almost 2 years ago
Carol
" Cowboy Builders " is very advisable for the consumers about the conman builders who seem to be everywhere . We learn a lot as to how irresponsible and careless these so called builders are. However, the unlucky house owners become excessively lucky gainers by getting all expensive furniture for free . I think these furniture could be purchased for the reduced price when shops are going through recession..
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almost 2 years ago
china-man
I think "Yan" was very brave to take on the interview! She was no angel by ripping of few people, but had the guts to face the camera and answer all the questions!! I dont recall anyone in previous programs actually accepted interviews! They just run like cowards!! Have to give Yan some credit for that!
almost 2 years ago
Scottius
i love your sweet justice.. channel 5.. but yes indeed it is a show that is presented by a guy with 'small man' syndrome and a woman who (sorry, melinda) comes accross as rather 'air-headed'.. but it wouldn't be very channel 5 if it wasnt over-the-top and americanised. ;)
almost 2 years ago
Steph
Melinda you are a cowgirl yourself. The amount of mistakes you and your team make is horrendous. You have the cheek to criticise anyone. Blaig free stuff from honest businesses in this current economic climate is shameful. And the little gnome you all a co-host, would he be so 'in-your-face' if he wasn't surrounded by minders and cameras? I doubt it. Coward! I do fully expect my comment to be deleted though as the people running the site won't allow any freedom of speech unless it favours their own. And I thought we lived in a democracy.
almost 2 years ago
Melinda
I sometimes wear hair extensions!
almost 2 years ago
Penfold
Melinda must have very fast growing hair in this episode as it goes from long to short several times whilst she is out shopping for the windows and interior fittings, either that or Five have a continuity problem !
almost 2 years ago
tom
whens the new one going online let me no pls