How do I know I’m not being scammed by these builders?

[Glado]

Dh found these random handymen type lads to fix a hole in our roof. Only came across them as they helped him when he ran out of petrol.

Anyway, DH has negotiated a price. They want cash in hand because of being “burned in the past” with some shit excuse they gave.

i handed £500 in cash but then it dawned on me I don’t know these people from Adam. They want another £500 transferred via card. I communicated my concerns and have been given a “Rolex”.

what happens in these scenarios

For a small job like that there's no need to pay up front, you pay on completion of the work.

Have they fixed the roof or not?

Sounds like chancing scammers, tbh. I have a lot of workmen around here who only do cash in hand, but I pay them once the job is actually done.

Oh dear.

The wrong things to do on so many levels.

Do not give them another penny. You've lost the £500 but don't lose any more.

Get 3 written quotes for the work from 3 companies or builders you have looked up and researched first, not some random people who knock on your door or meet outside.

Nope they’ve gone to get materials

Oh dear, it doesn't sound great does it. Have you got anything in writing at all? Try a get a photo of them and their vehicle if possible. You could ask on your local Facebook etc.

It was a big mistake to pay in cash but I know you know that now.

FFS what were you thinking. Sounds like travellers handing over a watch.

tell them do the job (if they come back!) and they’ll be paid

I dont think you'll be seeing them again op.

🤦🏻‍♀️

They’re definitely not coming back, sorry

If they could afford a “Rolex” they wouldn’t need money up front. I’d say goodbye to the he £500 you’ve already given them.

Oh dear. Where is your DH now?

I don't think there is much you can do in this situation, you have handed over cash. Some people are honest and operate on a cash basis, but it is not a good idea to give cash to anyone in this way as you have no idea who they are.

What "materials"? Much more like they've gone to the pub.

They've had £500. If (big IF) they are genuine then that money will have covered "materials".

Do not pay another penny until the work is completed and you've throughly examined it up close.

Cant see them returning!

Doesn't sound great. Can we see the Rolex?

TBH them never coming back could be the best outcome considering awful experiences others have recounted on Rogue Traders etc

Ok so I told porkies as I didn’t want to go into weird family dynamics.

DH is DM. DM is a hoarder with a personality disorder most likely. Can get very angry when I try to help her/push back. Thinks I try to control her - hand on heart I only every try to stop her being scammed. All my family know she is a pain and think my siblings and I are saints.

I tried telling mum of my concerns but she was about to have a tantrum so I said it’s your house. Just have a horrible feeling.

Not the first time my mum has been scammed

The builders were pushing for a larger upfront, very suspect.

Doesnt seem at all fussed about the HEAVY rain.

Grr why not just tell the truth in your opening post?????? 😡😡

Bloody annoying.

I’ve left it in the house. On school run

I find the family dynamics exhausting and can’t always be bothered to explain

Of course your mum has been scammed. A rolex watch - no legit tradesman would do that. And fixing a roof in the heavy rain. Sorry, your mum has lost that money, they aint coming back.

Was it your money or your DM's?

I think you need to find a way to stop being so involved in your DM's decisions. You can't stop her giving her own money away but you can stop being part of the process.

Sorry it is so difficult, sounds a nightmare

I understand. You're worried about this incident so you posted. But you're also sick of the situation.

I find the family dynamics exhausting and can’t always be bothered to explain

You managed to convey the true background in a couple of sentences FFS

I had the same concern when we had our roofer arrived on our doorstep asking for money for materials before starting.

Tbf, they arrived a few days later to fix it. however, they were rubbish roofers and someone who has such poor credit at the suppliers that they have to pay cash upfront is never going to be great. We had to later pay someone to fix issues they caused.