This guest post was originally written by Benjamin Dyer of Powered Now and first published on Powered Now. It is republished here with permission to help our readers spot and deal with problem clients.

This post is part of our Running a Successful Construction Business series. For more useful information, read our How to Run a Successful Construction Business in the UK.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• By the Numbers: How Big Is the Problem?
• The Cost of Cowboy Customers
• Red Flags: How to Spot a Cowboy Customer
• Protecting Your Business
• Conclusion: Standing Strong Against Cowboy Customers

Cowboy Customers: The Hidden Threat to Tradespeople

We’ve all heard of cowboy builders—but what about cowboy customers? These rogue clients underpay, manipulate, or disrespect hardworking tradespeople. From fake inquiries to late payments, they cost the industry billions and contribute to stress and burnout.

This post by Benjamin Dyer of Powered Now explores how to spot them, handle them, and protect your business from their damaging tactics.

By the Numbers: How Big Is the Problem?

Recent surveys reveal the alarming scale of the issue:

• Over 5 million Brits have solicited quotes with no intention of hiring—wasting up to £1.75 billion in tradespeople’s time.
• 1.7 million admit to withholding or delaying payment to force discounts.
• 79% of tradespeople have had a customer refuse to pay at least once.
• £3.5 billion is owed to UK trades in overdue payments, with delays averaging 35 days.

The Cost of Cowboy Customers

Unpaid Bills and Lost Time

Every wasted quote visit or unpaid invoice is time stolen from profitable work. A 2024 study found that tradespeople lose over £1,000 annually from short-changed or non-paying clients. Younger trades and those in construction or carpentry are hit hardest—often losing over £1,300 per year.

Psychological Strain and Burnout

It’s not just financial. Constant confrontations and disrespect chip away at mental health. In 2025, 32% of UK tradespeople named “dealing with difficult clients” as one of their top job challenges. About a third are considering leaving the industry altogether.

For more support on protecting your time and mental health, see our guide to Running a Successful Construction Business.

Red Flags: How to Spot a Cowboy Customer

Not every difficult client is a cowboy, but watch out if they:

• Badmouth previous trades
• Change plans constantly
• Refuse paperwork or formal agreements
• Disrespect your time or show up late
• Micromanage or demand unreasonably low prices

Spotting these early and trusting your instincts can save major headaches down the line.

Protecting Your Business: How to Deal with Cowboy Customers

Here’s how to prevent problems before they start:

• Use clear contracts with agreed scope and payments
• Request deposits and staged payments
• Keep written records of every agreement and change
• Use technology like job management or estimating tools
• Be clear with boundaries and expectations
• Say no to red-flagged jobs

If you’re pressed for time, use our estimating service to issue clear, professional, brochure-style quotes that set expectations upfront and filter out price shoppers.

Conclusion: Standing Strong Against Cowboy Customers

These clients don’t make the headlines, but their impact is real—costing tradespeople money, time, and mental wellbeing. The good news is you can protect yourself by spotting the signs, setting clear expectations, and presenting yourself professionally.

Use contracts, be assertive, and run your business with systems that discourage abuse. Most importantly—take care of yourself. You deserve clients who treat you with respect. The right ones will appreciate your professionalism. The wrong ones? They’ll go elsewhere.

Want more help streamlining your systems? See our full guide on Running a Successful Construction Business.

Originally published on Powered Now. Republished with permission.