This story is part of a series to be published over the coming week following an investigation into Object Builders.

Over the course of more than a month we spoke to former customers and contractors who claim to have been left out of pocket - some to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds.

To read all the stories in this series click here. 

A string of trade bodies have booted a building firm off their books after receiving complaints that it disappeared with customers’ money.

Newsquest revealed this week how Sidcup-based Object Limited, which traded as Object Builders, is the subject of at least 19 fraud reports to City of London Police.

At least two cases have been assessed by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau and passed to the Metropolitan Police Service for investigation.

Customers who filed police reports told Newsquest they had found Object Limited through reputable websites like CheckATrade, Bark.com and RatedPeople.

They also noted that the firm displayed the logos of numerous industry bodies on its website.

However, when contacted by Newsquest, a number of those bodies either downplayed their links to Object Limited or said they had struck it off their registers over complaints.

QANW, which provides insurance-backed guarantees on buildings, said: “The company Object Limited did join QANW but they did not submit any applications and their account has since been closed with us.”

Certass, which guarantees windows, said that while Object Limited had joined in 2023, the body had since closed the firm’s account. It refused to say why.

The Consumer Protection Association (CPA) said Object Limited had registered with it “purely to provide insurance cover… for glazing products”.

“They had no membership with regards to building works,” the body said, and Object never actually registered any projects.

“Membership was cancelled when we received a complaint and were unable to contact the company,” the CPA added.

Object Builders' website - since taken offline - included the logos of numerous reputable trade bodies. But questioned by Newsquest, some said they had booted the firm off their registers over complaintsObject Builders' website - since taken offline - included the logos of numerous reputable trade bodies. But when questioned by Newsquest, some said they had booted the firm off their registers over complaints (Image: Wayback Machine)

The Guild of Master Craftsmen told a similar story.

“The guild were notified of serious concerns about this company on 25 July 2024, 26 July 2024 and again on 28 July 2024,” it said.

“All complainants were sent advice on how to register a complaint to the guild and further enter our conciliation process.

“We tried to contact the company without success, so we sent them a letter dated 2 August 2024 requesting a reply by 16 August 2024.

“The company did not respond to our letters… The membership was rescinded, and the company has been expelled from the guild.”

The Association of Master Tradesmen said Object Limited had been registered with its service.

“We know of one customer that used them,” a spokesperson said. “They came to us with concerns and we helped them reclaim their money via a Section 75 claim on their credit card.

“We immediately struck them off because we have zero tolerance on any customer complaints.”

Robin Rudland, registered owner and director of Object Limited - which traded as Object Builders - denied being in charge of the company and said he was 'just a name' for paperworkRobin Rudland, registered owner and director of Object Limited - which traded as Object Builders - denied being in charge of the company and said he was 'just a name' for paperwork (Image: Ray Mo)

Bark.com, which puts potential clients in touch with contractors, said it had banned Object Limited from its platform over customer complaints.

“We received complaints alleging that deposits had been taken without work having been carried out, which resulted in them being suspended from the website in July 2024,” its press office said.

“The company was ultimately banned from our platform in August 2024. We will work with all affected customers to provide support during such challenging circumstances. Our policy for any rare issues that do arise is to support the relevant authorities fully.”

RatedPeople said: “We did have this company on our platform. They were active from October 2023 until July 2024. In this time they did not receive any feedback regarding workmanship specifically until their first complaint in July 2024, at which point we reviewed the account and removed them from our platform for not meeting the standards we would expect from a tradesperson on our site.”

CheckATrade’s PR representatives were approached for comment.