Home Q&A: How to spot a rogue trader or cowboy builder

Take care when hiring for any building project. File picture

I suspect we’ve all done small jobs at home with the help of trades and even builders, cash-in-hand. In the case of limited, uncomplicated, non-structural happenings, you’ve likely got away with a side-gig from a fully insured/tax-compliant person (receipt-free) or gambled on someone who is doing work under the table year-round. However, for larger, serious projects straying into four figures, the cowboys are still out there, ready and waiting to take full advantage of the naïve, inexperienced, or distracted client. 

There are two general types of bandits riding the plains in shiny vans, happy to rustle your wallet.