This message is being sent on behalf of HCC Trading Standards. any queries, reports of scams or requests for advice should be directed to Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

Trading Standards is seeing an increase in doorstep crime incidents, especially driveways and roofing/guttering work. 

The rogue trader can contact you in many ways: 

Alarm bells should ring when a small job turns into a bigger one or if there are unexpected price increases. A common example is a simple job such as cleaning the gutters that is ‘bounced’ by identifying more work that the trader says needs doing urgently, like loose tiles, compromised felt or rotten timbers. Or, a price is agreed for a new driveway, but later the trader tells you that the price did not include materials or VAT.

Be suspicious if an expensive quote is quickly reduced, on condition the work is carried out straightaway. Beware if the trader claims the job is urgent and pressure is put on you to agree.

Another warning sign is a lack of paperwork before work starts. Look for full information about the trader: their legal entity, address, contact details, company status, full description of works and materials to be used, full cost including whether VAT is included, how long the job will take, and proper cancellation rights given at the right time.  

Don’t feel trapped into using the same trader, even though it seems to make sense while they are on your property.  The law protects you in this situation by giving you a 14-day cancellation period for work that is agreed at your home. Only you can agree for the work to commence within the cancellation period if you want it to.

Our advice is to make use of the cancellation period to reflect:

If you have any concerns, you can report them to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133. Report frauds to the Police by contacting Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Call 999 if the trader is aggressive or starts work without your agreement, these are ‘crimes in action’, do not feel that it is a waste of anyone’s time. Please look out for any vulnerable neighbours and report concerns to us.