COWBOY STOPPERS
Having worked within construction media for over 20 years, I’ve seen many a cowboy outfit, and you can always spot them! A start up window company with a couple of Ferraris parked outside, is usually a good indication that the business owners are using cash they don’t have. However, they are very far and few between these days, and this is good news for the industry. Unfortunately the problem applies across the whole construction sector, as every year, thousands of people up and down the country undertake home improvement and renovation projects to make their homes better. Although the vast majority of home improvements are installed professionally, there are still some Cowboys out there.
According to Trading Standards it is estimated that more then 106,000 complaints about rogue traders are logged every year. Disreputable companies carrying out substandard work wastes £1.5billion each year, as consumers have to fund the repairs to the damage done by Cowboys.
A case in point has been brought to the media’s attention by FENSA.
Bright Windows UK Ltd of Willesden, London, NW10, was successfully prosecuted by Trading Standards for misuse of the FENSA logo. The case was reported in the local newspaper, the Kilburn & Brent Times. It cost the company and its owners over £7,000 in fines and costs.
FENSA was informed of the logo misuse through www.cowboystoppers.co.
The misuse of logo’s (in any trade) creates false trust and higher expectations of the standard of work to be carried out.
We should all work together to stamp out Cowboys – for good.
Enjoy this issue.
Comments welcome.
Christina
Christina Shaw
Owner & Publisher
