How to identify cowboys
The problem with so-called cowboy plumbers is that they are difficult to identify. They may look and sound like plumbers, and some might even think that they are plumbers, but the sad truth is that they are dangerous frauds who should be avoided. Not like Earls Court Plumbers.There are two types of cowboy plumber. There is the honest about incompetent guy, and there is the ruthless guy who is out to take as much of your money as he can. They are both dangerous. The incompetent guy will perhaps give you a low quote that will inevitably result in a bad job, because the quote doesn’t allow enough money to complete the work to a proper standard, alternatively you may have a higher opinion of its capabilities that is borne out by the job he turns in. The ruthless guy will knowingly do a bad job, take your money and swiftly move on. While we may feel sorry for one and read the other, they are both dangerous.Identifying the baddies.The following pointers might just help you identify and avoid cowboys.1). Never employed a chap who arrives at your door uninvited and claims to be new to the area doing a survey, or has just done a job up the road, or is able to do one-off jobs at a special price.2). Don’t be overly impressed by smart clothing, be shiny vans and so on, you don’t want to end up being the person paying for them.3). Avoid the guys who wants large piles of cash in advance. An Earls Court Plumber will not do this.4). Stay away from the bloke who only has a mobile phone and wont provide further contact details.5). Try phoning a prospective plumbing firm during working hours (when you would expect the plumber to be out working for clients) to see if it is sufficiently well organised to be able to take and pass on messages. Be wary of the guy who is offering to do a swift job for cash.6). Finally avoid chaps were only prepared to work out a rough and ready estimate on the back of an envelope.