Rogue workmen cost Britons £6.8bn, bank says

Residential landlords could be among those to heed a warning about the potential issues with employing "rogue workmen".

According to financial firm Santander, 37 per cent of people are left having to pay to repair botched jobs.

The company claimed the total annual bill amounts to around £6.8 billion.

Miguel Sard from Santander said: "Unfortunately anyone can call themselves a builder, but the potential damage that could be caused by rogue tradesmen is staggering."

Mr Sard said that situations could be avoided if homeowners resisted the urge to hire the cheapest contractor they can find.

Instead, the expert urged people to check out the background of tradesmen and ensure they are recommended by a recognised trade organisation such as the Federation of Master Builders.

According to the Santander report, 25 per cent of tradesmen are hired on the recommendation of a friend, while ten per cent of people employ builders who are known to them to carry out work.

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