HOME owners in Lancashire have a one in 10 chance of being ‘stung’ by cowboy builders, according to a new survey.

A new poll by the Federation of Master Builders, Master Builder of the Year Awards, found that 10per cent of people had been ripped of by dodgy builders.

It also revealed that 49per cent of the county’s home owners were not happy with a recent project, and 43per cent of Lancashire home owners said they wished they had checked out their builder’s credentials before taking them on.

George Clarke, architect, presenter of Channel 4’s Restoration Man and host of the Master Builder of the Year Awards, said: “Getting the builders in can be a nightmare, particularly if they prove unprofessional, or unco-operative.

“The key to choosing the right builder is to check them out thoroughly, set out clear ground rules and then keep up good communication with your builder throughout the project.”