Despite the best efforts of a small, bald cockney man from TV,
"cowboy" builders and dodgy workmen are still rampaging across the
country causing damage to properties and untold misery for
thousands of people along the way.
Every week there are countless stories in the news about rogue
traders thieving innocent people by falsely claiming that urgent
building work needs doing on their homes. They demand cash up front
to fix the "problem" before either botching the job or scarpering
without having done any work.
The best way to combat the threat of bogus builders is to spot
them before they even have a chance to rip you off. I have compiled
a short but helpful list of tips to help you identify these
cowboys and protect your home and potentially the homes of
others.
The best way to combat the threat of bogus
builders is to spot them before they even have a chance to rip you
off.
1) Since October last year anyone
trying to sell you a service (at a cost of more than £35) at your
door must provide a written contract which gives you a 7-day
cooling-off period to consider the price quoted. More often than
not rogue traders cannot and will not supply this contract, if this
is the case then send them on their way and report them to Trading
Standards.
2) Cowboy builders will ask for
cash up front. You should NEVER pay anyone for work done on your
home until the job is finished.
3) There have been reports of
rogue tradesmen working in pairs where one will distract you at the
door while the other damages your property so that they can later
offer to fix it! If they come as a team then don't let any of them
out of your sight.
4) Cowboy builders will claim that
the work needs to be done "urgently". This is almost always a lie.
If there is a problem then get quotes from several reputable
traders before paying the guy at your door an exorbitant fee.
5) If the trader at your door is
being chased by a TV camera crew then avoid him like the
plague.
Remember if you think you have spotted a cowboy builder, or if
you have been a victim of one, contact the police and your local
Trading Standards office. What they are doing is a crime and they
should be stopped immediately. For more information on how to deal
with rogue traders consult our free, comprehensive guide.
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