This week Dom and Mel meet a family from Wales whose house was left in such a dangerous state by a cowboy builder that it could have cost them their lives.
With a new grandson on the way, Clive and Teresa decided to convert their loft so that their daughter Hollie, son-in-law Craig and their new arrival could have their own space in the family home. They employed a local builder, who assured them he would do a superb job in time for the baby’s arrival.
Work started, but it wasn’t long before Clive and Teresa began to think something was seriously wrong as the main ridge on the roof began to twist and sink. Although the builder told them not to worry, they were so alarmed they called in the building inspector. He told them it was the worst job he had seen in 20 years and that the roof was in danger of collapsing on the family below.
After six months, the builder disappeared from the site. Meanwhile, baby Osian had been born with serious health problems. When the time came for Hollie and Craig to bring him home from intensive care, they had no choice but to return to what was what still a hazardous building site.
Melinda and her team face a huge challenge to make good the damage. The whole roof has to come off and be rebuilt in some of the worst weather of the year. Determined to gather proof of just how dangerous this cowboy is, Dom sets up a sting operation to catch him in the act...
Comments (42)
7 months ago
Darron
i have just watched this episode on 5* and oh my god he didn't know what an RSJ was i learnt that in the first week as a trainee builder and he's been doing it thirty years. well done to the cowboy buiders team
11 months ago
Elliot Dutton
Its nice to see there are people out there who can rectify the people who puts other life's in danger this program make you appreciate what you have and is touching to see the local company helping out the families
11 months ago
chunkyboy
i love this programme
12 months ago
Hannah
I love cowboy builders it put the cowboys to shame!!!!!!
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1 year ago
oo
It won't work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 year ago
Building controler
I don’t think that the main issue with this show is the Part P issues but more the issue that the means of escape in case of fire from the loft was incorrect and dangerous. You shouldn’t have a study area in a protected stairs as this should be a sterile area. Not sure who advises on BC issues but the show needs to check the regs more! Considering a young family are living on the top floor, you would imagine that means of escape would be a key issue for them?
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over 1 year ago
Bella
Absolutely loved this episode. It broke my heart to know what baby Osian and his family went through and seeing the house in it's poor state reduced me to tears, so well done to Mel for giving them a beautiful home that they can enjoy. Really enjoyed Dom's sarcasm towards the cowboy, hope no-one else's lives are destroyed by this atrocious man.
over 1 year ago
Kevin Bradley
in response to David D External light installations do have to be notified to and checked by building control because they are in a "special location" ie external, exposed to rain etc etc - this is not like internal conditions. (or they can be installed by approved installer but you then have to pay more for a qualified electrician).
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over 1 year ago
from 1 who knows
It is amazing how many small minded people there are who think people on this show dont deserve to have their lives [ not just their homes ] fixed. some of the extras they receive are in some small ways tokens to help them get over what they have endured. What a pity some people cant see this and simply think if I cant have it neither should they. keep up the good work Mel, dom and team
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over 1 year ago
craig
Hi thanks for all the comments and for the haters who have nothing to but to question and moan about this build. YOU did not have to live here. YOU did not have to watch the roof sag and twist everyday. I actually put props up in the attic before cowboy builders came. These props within a day had become loose and fell over as the whole roof was moving. We are so so gratefull for what they have done for us. Me my wife and baby would have been up in that attic room and to think it was about to collapse its terifying. So before you comment and make stupid little remarks like "theres something not quite right with this episode" DONT!!!!
over 1 year ago
yourmumsmellsnice
i once hired a cowboy builder. it was a big mistake. his horse crapped all over my garden.
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over 1 year ago
PaulCooper
they say that all electrics to do within the ring main have to be part p. Great job :)
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over 1 year ago
Jeff Hedges
According to Homebase, if you put up an outside light then you need to notify the local authority building control department as it comes under the Part P (Electrical Safety). Also, you need to then pay for it to be tested.
over 1 year ago
john wayne
mmmm......something not quite right about this episode.
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over 1 year ago
Suzanne Wadlow
As i appreciate the comment by Winifred i cannot help but disagree. We supplied and sitted the staircase for this build at it was at our pleasure, do remember that companies can say 'No'.......but it does go to show that there are people out there who are happy to help others. Cowboy Builders do a great job and it was a pleasure to help out this family restore their home.
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over 1 year ago
Andy
There seems to be a widespread misconception that Part P Registered Competent Persons are fully qualified ELECTRICIANS? The vast majority of Part P Competent Persons (sometimes referred to as "Domestic Installers") have little or no INSTALLATION training, qualifications or experience as this is NOT a requirement in order than an "enterprise" to be deemed competent by a Part P Scheme Provider. I use the word "enterprise" as the individual actually carrying out the work may never have even been assessed by the Scheme Provider to ascertain their ability to actually do anything whatsoever.
over 1 year ago
Andy
Interesting comments regarding Part P of the Building Regulations - or more to the point, people lack of understanding. The position of the light fitting itself does not require notification BUT The reason why the outside light IS notifiable under Part P is because it is supplied via a spur within the kitchen itself.
over 1 year ago
Winifred Hooper
Whilst I have every sympathy for those who suffer from cowboy builders, I tend to think that cadging furniture and furnishings from small businesses struggling in a recession is counter productive. The family would have had to provide their own furniture had their building gone to plan, so why not after they have already had the disaster sorted for them?
over 1 year ago
Trevor Barham
Difficult to identify cowboys in this episode. Allowing water to penetrate the existing structure without even a tarpaulin let alone a temporary roof is the height of stupidity. Also agree Part P certification not required - Channel 5 misrepresenting this will ensure "handyman" type jobs will require fully qualified electricians in the eyes of the public
over 1 year ago
Matt Adams
The staircase looked 100 times better then the one they took out, it looked really professionally fitted. Please could you confirm whether the stair fitters matched the handrail, newels and spindels to that of the existng staircase?
over 1 year ago
Matthew Adams
The staircase looked liked it was fitted by professional fitters and was a 100 times better than the one that they took out. Please can you advise whether the handrail, spindles and newels were matched?
over 1 year ago
Kelly Gibbs
Well said Hollie. I was crying watching the show last nite, my son was in neonatal when he was born and I cannot imagine the stress you must have gone though having to bring him home to a dangerous home after nearly losing him it should have been a time of imense joy and Ceri Jennings took that away from you and you will never get that time back. I wish you and your family well.
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over 1 year ago
James
love all the builders having a bash on these comments. chill out. its entertainment and people love this programme, myself included.
over 1 year ago
David D
While I'm all for encouraging Part P qualified electricians Dom, perhaps you, your researchers or even Napit should have another look at the document - section 0 Guidance :: Aditional Notes Item (i) before you make sweeping statements about security lights having to be noted to building control.
over 1 year ago
Hollie Burris
I think what they did to help my family was amazing and if it got Ceri Jennings picture out there and stops him doing it to other people, then it was worth it. They cant show everything as there isnt enough time, but in they time that they had they showed what they thought was a good story. Its not a joke if it helps people.
over 1 year ago
Strontian
An outside light isn't a job that requires Part P notification either. However, no mention of the other items such as main bonding being in place before any work can be carried out
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over 1 year ago
Hollie Burris
They did fit one, they just ran out of time with the filming :)
over 1 year ago
John Griffith
With all the emphasis on shoddy work why did you not fit balustrade at the bottom of the new staircase as required by building regs.