House renovation TV shows

[Samson]

Do you guys call them cowboy builders ?

Anyway - watching a TV series showing people who paid up vast sums of money for extensions and repairs to their property without a real contract, and handing thousands of pounds in advance of subsequently incompleted work. Talking on one case of £50k !

Do you have any sympathy with these people ? I know it makes good television but would you part with that kind of money ( or even £10k ) without a formal agreement ?

[Delmonico]

From what few of those type shows I've seen I'd chase any of them away with a shotgun if they so much as showed up at my door. I wouldn't let them smurf up my house for free.

[Golfgirlrobin]

I'm a general contractor and I wouldn't trust me to walk across my own threshold without a signed contract.

I don't think that the average consumer understands about getting lien releases and not paying ahead of the actual work. The worst scenario is when you pay a general contractor and he doesn't pay his subs and suppliers. The subs and suppliers get to sue you for the money and you get to pay twice. Happens all the time and people just don't know about it.

[Princess Zoe]

Give them money with no contract? Uh no. If I ever see the guy from Yard Crashers in Lowe's rob and I have decided we will tackle him and bring him home with us if he wants to or not.

[SharonaZamboni]

It's shameful, but even a contract can't guarantee completion or workmanship. Some people are just awful.

[joflake]

Give them money with no contract? Uh no. If I ever see the guy from Yard Crashers in Lowe's rob and I have decided we will tackle him and bring him home with us if he wants to or not.

Me too! I always tell hubby I'm going to hang out at Lowe's every Saturday morning and look for him. I'd also like the kitchen and bathroom crashers to show up.

[Labs4life]

What I like even better are the DYI shows that show you how to do various remodels etc. Some of the information they give out is just plain wrong.

[Dexter Dogg]

The worst scenario is when you pay a general contractor and he doesn't pay his subs and suppliers. The subs and suppliers get to sue you for the money and you get to pay twice. Happens all the time and people just don't know about it.

Yes ^^ this is a big problem here too. Mechanics liens are filed all the time because of it.

[Jan]

Anyone watch Love it or List it, or Property Brothers? Both are Canadian shows, and must be filmed in Toronto and Vancouver... the houses themselves are usually $750,000+ (in decent to poor condition) and need $50,000+ in renovations!

[Dexter Dogg]

I've seen a couple of the Love it or List it shows!

I watch property virgins and house hunters quite a bit too on HGTV.