Keeping you and your home safe
If you’re planning on having any work done around your home, it’s important to be aware of the risks of rogue traders. These are people who cold call householders, offering their services at a dis-count, but who often do a poor job or overcharge for their work.
There are a few simple things you can do to protect yourself from rogue traders:
What are rogue trader or doorstep scams?
You’re at home one day when you hear a knock at the door. A supposed tradesperson, often a roofer, driveway builder or gardener, is there. They say they’re working in your area.
They’ve noticed some urgent work that needs to be done on your home and they’ve kindly come round to offer their services. For a cash fee. Or perhaps there’s a small job they wouldn’t mind patch-ing up for you for a surprisingly low cash-in-hand price.
You don’t want to let this opportunity pass. And you’re worried about the damage to your property if you let this issue continue. So, you agree to their price given the urgency of the situation.
The scammer may trick you into paying in full upfront, before they’ve even started work. They may find ‘additional problems’ after starting work, which need extra cash immediately. Or they may get you to pay some of the quote but then never return to finish the job or make good.
Warning signs of a rogue trader
They refuse to give you a written quote
Without a paper trail or written quote, it’s hard for you to look into their company, compare prices or contact them if things start to go wrong. Always aim to get at least three itemised quotes for any work you need doing, and make sure you understand exactly what is included in each quote.
They pressure you into an urgent decision
You shouldn’t feel rushed into having work done on your home by someone on your doorstep. Calmly explain that you cannot commit or pay now and want to get other quotes. A reputable trader will understand. If the work is needed, take the time to ask different tradespeople questions about why it’s needed and why they’re recommending particular materials. Ask friends, family and neighbours for advice too. They may have had similar work done or know a good tradesperson.
They don’t have a website or any online presence
Not all tradespeople will be on social media or independent comparison websites. But these are good places to check for reviews and examples of their work. It’s always worth doing a quick search for them online to read other people’s experiences.
They say they’re doing some work locally, but you cannot go round and see their work
With home improvements, it can be useful to see a tradesperson’s previous work and speak to their past customers. What were they like to work with? Were they respectful of the property? Was the quote accurate? This won’t always be possible.
But if they’re doing work locally and happened to notice something on your home, it’s a warning sign if you cannot go to their other, local site.
They tell you to go to your branch and take out cash while they set up
You should never pay upfront for work on your property. A small, nominal deposit following an exchange of a written quote or other paperwork can be okay. But the full price should only be paid on completion.
