Home repairs and improvements
Having home improvement work done in your home can be a stressful, costly business, especially if it all goes wrong. Follow the Citizens Advice Guide's top tips to help avoid some of the pitfalls.
Roofing work advice - don’t deal at the door!
Residents are reminded not to deal with doorstep callers where they risk being substantially overcharged or coerced into unnecessary work. Sometimes, a doorstep trader will only do a fraction of what was quoted, leaving residents with an incomplete or substandard job.
Most reported cases involve cold callers who approach residents claiming to have spotted a loose tile or offering to inspect the roof while working nearby.
Once on the roof, these traders often start with a low quote, only to claim further extensive repairs are needed - such as replacing felt, broken tiles, or even an entire roof. In many cases, these claims are entirely fabricated to inflate the price and pressure residents, particularly the vulnerable, into agreeing to costly and unnecessary work.
Trading standards have issued a handy list of tips to identify and avoid rogue roofers:
- Cold calling: Be wary of roofers who come to your door uninvited.
- Pressure sales: Rogue traders often create a sense of urgency, pushing for immediate decisions, for example by suggesting that a tile is missing or loose and could be dangerous or cause damage.
- Low prices: Quotes that seem too good to be true, especially if they are significantly lower than others.
- Upfront payment: Reputable roofers will not demand full payment upfront.
- Lack of documentation: Lack of written contracts, including details of the work, schedule, and payment plan. Consumers should always ask for a contract and be given a 14-day cooling-off period within which they can cancel that contract.
- No references: A reputable roofer will be happy to provide references from previous customers.
- Fear tactics: Residents should avoid roofers who try to scare them about the condition of their roof.
If a trader offers to take you to the bank, this is a red flag. Tell the trader that you need to speak to a family member to sort out the payment and need time to arrange for the money to be in the bank, in order to get rid of them. You can then call the police on 999 if you feel threatened or 101 in a non-emergency.
Contact Citizens Advice for help and guidance or to report to Trading Standards – visit the Citizens Advice website or call 0808 223 1133.