Hi, I've just purchased a house. I want to extend the bathroom which is through the kitchen on the ground floor because it's tiny. I'm a huge fan of Put Your Money Where Your House Is and was wondering if anyone knows how to get in touch with Lewis' building company? I don't know his surname so am unable to try and find anything about the fiem on this site. I don't want to go via the phone book and risk spending loads on cowboys. No one is able to recommend anyone to me either. Thanks !!

try emailing the bbc they probly will email u back

At the end of the programme it says the Project Manager is Luis Gonzalez.

Is this any help?

Jules B

Hi both,

Thanks for that the advice.

Jules - I only noticed that last night by chance, I'll certainly give it a go!

HunnyB,

If you want a reliable builder you should look for personal recommendations. So try people you know who have had work done... If not try your mortgage insurance company - mine has a service of recommended companies... get three quotes, get them to supply recommendations - and follow them up, then check that they are insured, finally draw up a contract stating exactly what they are going to do, what is and is included in the quote before giving the go ahead.

I also helps if you employ someone who is a master builder - i.e a member of the Association of Master Builders...

Hope this helps

Angela

Angela,
Glad you agreed to acccept advice of friends as the best option. Whenever, I go for the three quotes, why is it that the first caller always seems to decent, honest, trustworthy and friendly? I hesitate to go any further to fear of upsetting them!
Thankfully Ann, my wife, has better judgement of character.
Les
P.S. Don't you have any views on Pine Trees shedding their cones and needles and causing me constant annoyance. (see gardens 'Scotch Pines in the neck")

Hi All,

I've just been reading all your comments. I'm in a similar situation to HunnyB. I've just bought a new flat and planning to do up the bathroom. I agree that personal recommendation is the best way to go regarding hiring installers/companies, however the only person I know who has done up their bathroom recently said she wouldn't recommend the guy who did hers! What's the next best thing?

Also I was watching the sunday episode of Put Your Money Where Your House Is and it quoted Cost of labour as £900 is this right? It cost my friend £2000 and places like B&Q quoted me £3000 - £4000!! Does anyone know what the average cost is?

Thanks!

Hi there,

We have added Lewis' company to the stockist list for Put Your Money Where Your House Is - the company is called LAG Building. Take a look here:
[link]

You will also find the following features of interest:

Get a Quote, Not a Cowboy - this feature contains rough estimates of hourly rates for the various kinds of decorating/diy professional.
[link]

Working With Professionals
[link]

It's worth remembering that it's difficult to pinpoint an "average cost" for a piece of work like this - the cost will depend entirely on the factors unique to your particular building job.

Hope that helps!
The UK Style team

I am a desperate foster carer whose home has been recked by unscrupulous builders who were recommended to me. I now have to salvage the work they have done and try and get a builder and this is a chore in itself. I was watching "Put your money where your home is" and felt a little glimmer of hope that I might just be able to find myself a builder in Lewis & his band of merry men. Is there any chance that there is a chance in their busy schedule that they can fit in some work for me or recommend someone [I hold my breathe....Hee..hee!!!] if you are not able to fit me in? Look forward to hearing from you.
Desperate Foster Carer.

Hi Ju-G
You sound like an ideal candidate for DIYSOS. I think You can apply on the BBC Homes website. They list all the programmes that need people. There are so many 'cowboys' around its hard to know who to trust these days. It might be an idea to contact your local council's building department to see if they can help or give advice. Good luck!

Without getting boring - in case i have mentioned it before - I am finding difficulty in assessing Central Heating quotes.
Some quote for Combi Boilers and some quote for Combi Condensing Boilers. No-one tells you in the quote the advantages or disadvantages of their quote. I have to go to them begging for information like "How long will it take to fill my bath" OR "Why haven't you offered a Combi Condensing Boiler?". The prices are almost impossible to compare.
WHY AM I NOT A FULLY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL HEATING ENGINEER, PLUMBER, BUILDER, ELECTRICIAN? Wouldn't life be much easier then!
I think a good idea would be for The UK Style Team to come up with a questionnaire to suit such needs as I have. That is, if they are not prepared to do the job themselves. xxxx
Cheers
Les
P.S. ADD TO THE LIST - GARDENER...