A new campaign warning households to be on their guard against scams from rogue doorstep traders during the summer months has been launched by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
Last year, advice service
Consumer Direct - a government telephone and online service offering information and advice on consumer issues funded by the OFT - received more than 5,300 complaints about traders offering home maintenance work on the doorstep, a 16 per cent rise from the previous year, with complaints peaking in the summer months from July through to the autumn.
The top five uninvited doorstep trader complaints to
Consumer Direct in 2009 were:
1. Roofing - 28 per cent
2. Tarmacing and paving - 23 per cent
3. Insulation - nine per cent
4. General building work - eight per cent
5. Guttering - six per cent.
According to the OFT, bogus doorstep traders often use a range of persuasive and emotional tactics to secure a fast sale.
Rogue doorstep repairman may convince you that the summer is the best time to carry out roof repairs before the winter weather hits. They may claim that some of your roof tiles look unsafe, offering to repair them for a small fee.
Whilst on the roof the rogue trader may 'discover' other problems, advising that it's vital to have them fixed urgently otherwise your house may leak and become liable to rain damage in a heavy downpour. The OFT says it’s likely you will be charged above the odds for this additional and unnecessary work.
Rogue roofers will typically claim that tiles look unsafe and will offer to repair them for a small fee. Once up on the roof the trader will inevitably discover a host of other problems that need "fixing urgently", for which they will then charge above the odds.
With patio and driveways, typically a handyman may claim to have enough tarmac or patio stones left from a neighbouring job, offering a cut price to do the work.
Often the offer will be presented as only available for one day, requiring a cash payment upfront. Unfortunately in some cases the trader will then disappear with the cash leaving you without a newly laid patio, or the work will be carried out but to a poor standard.
When it comes to patios and driveways, a classic tactic includes making an offer that is presented as only available for one day and which requires an upfront cash payment. Once the payment is made the rogue trader will scarper with the cash or carry out a botch job.
"It is not illegal for handymen to canvas for work in this way, but it is important that people are cautious and don't make hasty decisions about agreeing to have work done by traders who come directly to their doorstep,” said Michele Shambrook from the OFT.
"Rogue doorstep trading is an ongoing problem in the UK and work or service carried out can sometimes be unnecessary, of a poor standard, much more expensive than originally quoted, or not done at all."
The latest advice from the OFT to avoid being duped includes:
- If a trader knocks at your door, do not agree to on-the-spot house repairs or sign anything.
- Be wary of special offers or warnings that your house is unsafe.
- Do not make snap decisions. Take time to talk to someone you trust before you make a decision.
- If in doubt call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or visit
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/doorstepselling
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