Be on the lookout for rogue traders

Consumer agencies have warned Brits to be on their guard against the dangers posed by rogue traders.

Between April and September last year, Consumer Direct, the Office of Fair Trading’s advice service, received 2,384 complaints about cold callers offering home maintenance services. This figure is 15% higher than in the six month covering the autumn and winter period. The most common services offered were tarmac and paving services (25%), roofing repairs (20%) and insulation work (11%).

In the majority of cases, Consumer Direct found that rogue traders would arrive on the doorstep of their targets uninvited and offer to perform a service in return for a small fee. In some cases, the work was found to be unnecessary, substandard or unfinished and charged at a higher price than initially agreed. The cost of repairing substandard or unfinished work can be costly and leave consumers in unexpected debt.

Michele Shambrook, Operations Manager for Consumer Direct said:

“As the weather improves, we usually see an increase in complaints about uninvited doorstep traders. Although door-to-door canvassing is not illegal, we would always encourage people to think very carefully before agreeing to have any work done straightaway and avoid handing over cash up front.”

Consumer Direct has reminded consumers that they need not feel bound by agreements they make under pressure from a cold caller. Since October 2008, new legislation has required all doorstep traders to provide consumers with a seven day cooling-off period in writing, for any work costing more than £35.

If you are considering paying for some home improvements, Consumer Direct has the following tips:

1. Ask friends and neighbours: Gather recommendations or look for traders who belong to trade associations approved by the government-endorsed Trustmark scheme

2. Ask your local authority: They should provide you with details of assured trader schemes managed by Trading Standards Services.

3. Shop around: Ask for at least three written quotes (rather than estimates) before choosing a trader.

4. Put it in writing: Agree a written contract covering the work, the price, the payment arrangements and the start and finish dates.

5. Don’t pay cash up front: Try to avoid paying large deposits and in all cases, you should try and keep back enough money to keep pressure on the trader to get on with the job and to finish it properly. Before you make any final payment make sure you are satisfied the work has been carried out properly and meets the terms of the contract.

6. Get receipts: Ask for VAT invoices, get a signed receipt for every payment you make and keep all the paperwork for your records.

7. Use a credit card for extra protection: If you pay by credit card or the work is being financed by a credit agreement arranged by the trader, you may have extra protection as the lender is jointly liable with the trader for any breach of contract (if the work costs between £100 and £30,000).

8. Be fair about completion: Pay promptly if everything contracted for has been completed satisfactorily.