Kingswells Community Council

Bogus builders, roofers and gardeners are operating door to door in Aberdeen.

The complaints concern workmen not only offering roofing, guttering and cladding work, but also gardening work and driveway repairs. One incident involved a potential rate of almost £1,000 per hour. Fortunately Trading Standards staff managed to step in before the money was paid over.

Such traders can be extremely persuasive and often target the elderly and vulnerable. They often quote low prices, but those prices frequently escalate as the work progresses.

The work will normally be done immediately, before the householder has a chance to change his or her mind. Very often, any information provided by the workmen, such as names, addresses, and telephone numbers are false, making them very hard to trace.

Carole Jackson, Trading Standards & Commercial Manager said, “In most cases the work is done to a very poor standard, leaving the owner facing a second bill to have the work done properly.”

“They use a variety of 'sales pitches' to get you to agree to having work done. They may suggest that the property, if not repaired, will be dangerous, and may cause additional problems to the structure of your home, or they put a time restriction on the offer to hurry you in to making a decision”

The Trading Standards Service advises that residents take the following steps if they need to have work done to their homes:

1. Do not be forced in to making a quick decision on the doorstep.
2. Get at least three quotes from local reputable companies who have reputations to maintain, and seek recommendations.
3. Only deal with local firms with genuine, verifiable telephone numbers and addresses. Be wary of companies that only use mobile phone or 0800 numbers and give no business address.
4. Fix a price and be specific about what you want done. Make sure you have everything in writing. Do not rely on verbal agreements. Anyone who signs a contract on the doorstep following an unarranged visit has 7 days to cancel it.
5. If you are at all unsure say no.

If you need any further help or advice, contact Trading Standards via the Consumer Direct call centre on 08454 040506, or visit www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/aberdeen

 

If you have any queries regarding this, or any other news story, please contact Aberdeen City Council on: 01224 522000.