海角乱伦

@Cheryl

Times have changed, and the Scammer Industry has moved online. They don't care where you live. :-)

Being overcharged (for a service/product you received) is not quite the same thing as a "scam", I feel. The vendor will charge what he thinks the market (or customer) will bear.

Personally, this is my 8th year in Bulgaria. I've not experienced any scamming or cheating while I've been here. I find the place safe and relaxing, and very happy with our decision to move here.

To be fair, almost every scam depends to a significant extent on the ignorance/stupidity/gullibility of the victim. Like everywhere, it's your responsibility: "buyer beware". And don't go advertising what Big Deal Gringo Moneybags you are. :-)

Not sure if it鈥檚 a widespread scam or just an isolated experience I had. I got a contractor round to quote on a small fix, before I knew it they had pointed out lots of other things that 鈥榥eeded to be fixed鈥� when they came round and lucky me he could do them all.

That's what a lot of builders do in uk,

most likely s few small jobs to make it worth their time to turn up.

We have been getting quite a number of calls to our bulgarian mobiles from unknown聽 numbers, but just ignore them then check to see if we can trace them. Mostly show as possible scam calls.

@dencreiss

Again, IMHO that's probably not a scam. Builders and mechanics often suggest other issues which they think could/should be addressed. And, as @mickg says, if you're getting an estimate, I'm not sure many builders want to traipse back out to your gaff for a 50 leva job, you gotta make it worth their while.

Of course, there are some builders who recommend work that definitely doesn't need to be done, or charge way too much, or get a deposit "for materials", and then never come back. But it can be tricky to differentiate between the honest workman who genuinely think you should do particular jobs, vs. a shady one taking your for a Gringo Mug. :-)

I don't know how to tell the difference, so perhaps the best option is workers recommended by your neighbours. I didn't do any work on our house until I spotted a gang of "gypsy" builders who were being asked to do work on several neighbouring houses. I figured if all my neighbours were happy, it wouldn't hurt to give them a trial job. (They were great, ending up working a long summer, maybe 5 months. Bit rough n' ready on the quality front, but the cost was unbeatable.)

I don't live here yet, but in my 2 1/2 years of owning and visiting frequently while renovating a house here, I haven't experienced any scams that are unique to Bulgaria. Builders quoting what they think you will pay, adding extra charges for materials, and finding extra work to do is a UK thing, as well.

If anything, it seems less scammy so far than the UK.

Sigh you guys are right, it is a common practice everywhere. I pick trades based on the foolproof scientifically proven method of the 鈥榲ibes鈥�. My gut was telling me he was scammy. His vibe was off.聽

@dencreiss

I find let them quote for what you need fixed they will always find something else I have used the same building company for many years most of the time they will point out an upgrade or something to add value to your property as with most expats. If you are not comfortable with what they say ask another building company 9 x out of 10 they will tell you that there is nothing serious that needs fixing because they would like your business 馃榿

@vernonsteve51

Thank you. I am not opposed to some friendly recommendations from contractors, guess I just have to get used to receiving unsolicited advice and take it in the spirit of friendly guidance as someone new to BG homes.

Hourly rates, especially if you can not control the workers full time. They will just sit doing nothing. Ask for a quote for the job, and make them stick to it.

@dimwolf

Mehh... human nature, rather than a scam. :-)

Agreed! It's not wise to agree to pay for a job on an hourly rate in any country!

Thankfully all the quotes I've had here for work are per job, not per hour and because my neighbour helps me, I am fairly sure I get close to the rate a Bulgarian would be charged. But I know this isn't true everywhere and we're very blessed to be in a good village with good neighbours. Way out in the sticks and very rural, but a good place.

@janemulberry

I reckon one of the best things you can do here is be on good terms with your village neighbours. My neighbours have been astonishingly helpful in the years we've been here - far beyond anything I've experienced elsewhere.

Even in the city (Plovdiv), where you don't expect city dwellers to be so neighbourly, most of our building know all about my dad and will come to say hello to the old boy and ask how he's doing.