Complaints about rogue traders at new record level
By Luzita Naidoo, 10th December 2009
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) received a record number
of building complaints about rogue traders last year.
The number of building complaints hit 4,000, representing an 18
per cent increase compared to last year. The most common complaints
included roof work, driveways and cavity wall insulation.
Jean McAlone, 73, from Cumbria, was robbed of £1,700 when two
rogue traders came to her house in Whitehaven and offered to
replace the slates on her roof.
To Ms McAlone's dismay, she later discovered all they had done
was paint her slates black so they appeared to be new. Furthermore
she added: "They were very nice lads. I'm one that trusts people,
but never again."
The OFT says these rogue traders use common psychological
tactics. Through manipulation they attempt to develop a friendship
before offering their services. Others inflict some sense of
urgency, implying that if you do not have the work done
immediately, the consequences will be harsh.
Through building complaints, householders lost about £8m over
the last year and there is still uncertainty regarding the reasons
for the rising figures. However, the OFT suggests that consumers
becoming more aware of their rights when it comes to building
complaints.
Paul Downer, a landscape gardener from Oak View Landscapes,
revealed one of the rogue builders' methods. He says they claim to
have "spare tarmac", this results in them "putting tarmac over an
existing driveway that clearly fails very quickly."
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