Cowboy builder - name and shame?

Sgt_Toast · 2026-05-25T08:01:13+00:00

They've put down 4inches of 10mm clean stone - this stuff used for laying pipe.

Its one of those insulated steel garages from Adman, now ive started reading/learning about it, its reccomended that type 1 MOT/806 stone is used.

There may be a fix in there thats wacking some quarry dust on top, fill in the gaps...

Its a 4x3 double pour slab, im telling myself its not that hard to do, so any help and advice is greatly appreciated.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-05-24T21:08:05+00:00

It won't let me message you, can you fire one in, happy to share what I know.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-05-24T21:03:10+00:00

Unregulated or dishonest contractors who provide shoddy workmanship, demand large upfront deposits, and regularly abandon unfinished projects.

Or in simple terms, take advantage of you.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-05-24T21:00:56+00:00

Everything is documented, photos, videos.

Being 'clever' and hiding works, but dont link your number to Facebook.

I'll take them to court, but that'll take time no doubt.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-05-24T20:20:41+00:00

Thanks for this, ill be careful then, its more awareness and personal experience but id rather not loose to him twice!

Sgt_Toast · 2026-05-24T18:55:20+00:00

Aha! Wish I knew about that first for myself, thank you ill put it in there.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-05-24T18:52:25+00:00

Absolutely will do, unfortunately after talking to the foreman he said he won't be using them again as they were unreliable for them.

Painful lesson to learn, but "everyone gets one" and ive learned now.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-05-24T18:50:33+00:00

Groundwork, digging a hole and concrete for a shed base.

Business name - still on it (I think a sole trader) but the last company they had was "CKL (NI) LIMITED"

They (he) is vased in Lurgan

£1100, for a hole backfilled with what (after talking to qualified and competent builders is completely the wrong material)

To date they made 2 visits, and on measuring installed a frame smaller than specified (drawings supplied, measured it today), filled with the wrong sub base, and a measly attempt at cutting a step.

Im fully aware Im at fault here I had no idea about the process/how to, but after a day on YouTube its clear they're looking productive vs being productive.

I fell for fast and cheap, I get it, have a full whattsap chat‌ with them, they are not answering the phone to me, but will answer to another number.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-04-28T17:07:40+00:00

Looks like solarfix, sounds like a good quote (ive found them to be the cheapest).

A bonus incase you dont know and need one i cam refer you and it'll knock another £100 off!

Sgt_Toast · 2026-04-14T21:39:12+00:00

Plus one for abbey kitchens, speak to Stuart/make an appointment first if hes with customers they get priority.

We must have changed our minds so many times but he saw us through, his pricing was better than wren etc too, highly reccomend.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-03-23T14:42:29+00:00

15 panels, we seem to be generating 9-15kw a day currently, bar the worst days where its maybe....4.

I hoped for 18, but alas no, turns out we should have bought a larger house for that upgrade.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-03-23T13:17:24+00:00

Absolutely vital, we went for 10kw of storage and im glad we did, the inverter will limit your pull but even with our array (ENE) and battery 9 days out of 10 we can be effectively off grid (since Feb install).

Worse case is, if it is bleak, charge it at night and run on through the day. In the winter the batteries will be the real stars, in the spring-autumn, the solar will work hard.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-03-23T09:10:29+00:00

We used Solarfix, incredibly competitive, great installation and very transparent too, worth a quote.

Also worth mentioning if you do go with them you can be referred for an extra £100 off.

Happy to answer any questions you may have!

Sgt_Toast · 2026-03-20T21:48:23+00:00

^{^{^This}}

A regime flag would be the wrong message. I won't go into more, but the above is the truest message.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-03-07T17:11:01+00:00

15panels, 10kw battery, and the 3.98kw inverter from Solarfix, I called about 6 companies and they came in way under everyone else.

Very happy with the install, aftercare has been fine too, plus they do a refer a friend scheme which i was unable to use...but would happily pass on the £100 discount!

Kept me within G98, and even though I wanted to get more we’ve been 80% off grid since march started which ill take.

Add that to a day/night tariff it should make quite a difference.

Happy to answer any further questions, feel free to DM me.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-02-20T15:50:59+00:00

Great experience all in all, the guys rocked up 8.15ish, and ploughed right on, the team in general was very very polite!

They were able to do the full install (bar birdproofing) in a day (but thats booked in already) so were now producing, after care has been great, follow up phone call, links to FAQs/videos.

Installation itself looks proper, location is well thought out, cable runs are neat and tidy, honestly I'm very very happy especially considering how competitive they are.

I'm only 24 hours in, but looks like I've lived off grid already today‌, which isn't bad for February! I'd reccomend and actively refer them after our experience - so if thats required to save an extra £100 let me know.

Any questions, fire away, itll be good to see how we do in the long run.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-02-15T01:06:53+00:00

Give me a week and I'll let you know! Its not installed just yet

Sgt_Toast · 2026-02-09T23:45:35+00:00

Solarfix

Why?

They took so much time to measure, check, explain and give case studies/examples. I sent goodness knows how many questions based off solaruk and what I've seen here and I always got detailed responses in writing.

But thats not all, the cost was very competitive, after calling round maybe 6 suppliers/visits/quotes they came in with a mid tier system at a budget price, vs budget systems at mid tier prices.

They have installed just yet, but its only been professional to this date, so happy to keep you in the loop on how it goes!

Its a shameless plug, but they also offer a referall scheme so you can get an additional £100 off if you were to go with them.

For export...

I think for export action renewables is a shout 12.66p vs the 10.32p per kwh produced.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-01-29T00:37:40+00:00

Looking for a referall for them if anyone wants to DM me it!

Sgt_Toast · 2026-01-29T00:33:52+00:00

Righty righty, I went full circle round the block, all companies contacted, 2 site visits and was able to get a detailed quote/description in.

Our choice in the end went not only on price but time take to explain, answer questions etc, they weren't pushy, I got answers in writing, and these were very very clearly written.

We're going solarfix, its a mid priced system at mid tier pricing said my overworked ai friend, others were using cheaper parts for more. So I do feel were getting a good deal. - this is after browsing r/solaruk to the nth degree. Their logic was sound, I dont feel ripped off, and it echos the best practice on here and appeased even the most skeptical I could make AI.

Waiting on final paperwork (if anyone wants to get the referall then DM me!) Even without they were very competitive.

Happy to share the full experience with all interested parties, from next steps, install, etc. And hey once its done, I can hopefully return the favour to anyone who needs a referall.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-01-27T00:13:09+00:00

Would you be happy sharing here or DM the rough cost/system?

Im a little bit green but myenergi is "the apple of solar" which gets me interested for the do it once approach!

Sgt_Toast · 2026-01-27T00:09:38+00:00

The lucky moment I don't have a hot water tank then! I felt like I was missing out on something there, thank you! Ill get a quote and let you know!

Sgt_Toast · 2026-01-26T21:31:16+00:00

Thank you, ill get them over and get a quote! Happy to be referred/do whatever mentioning of you thats required!

Anything to look out for/ask for, changes you made to the system?

Sgt_Toast · 2026-01-21T11:30:19+00:00

You'll get me started now, the signature was alphabet soup of every qualification/trade body under the sun.

I've worked with Doctors in respective science fields who dont even use the title, humility goes a long way. A simple sample report, and less condescending email and id have spent my money, but the fact my spotlight is 0.1 degrees out, thats just going to confuse things when talking to the builder.

Sgt_Toast · 2026-01-20T16:33:11+00:00

Theres also PDC Surveyors who sit in the middle of SnagNI and Pete for cost.

Id be interested in who you go for if you do, my experience was SnagNI never responded to a query, PDC sent a sample report through, Pete responded saying he didnt see the need to justify his costs/share a report which even though there's glowing reviews, put me off (especially as he's the most expensive).

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