8th October 2024
Residents are being warned to be wary of cold callers or leaflets offering to do work on roofs after the recent heavy rain that has led to flooding in Oxfordshire and elsewhere.
Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team is warning people that rogue traders will see it as the perfect opportunity to take advantage of residents who have flood damage.
Many reputable traders will be booked up, so the advice is to be wary of traders who can arrive to start the work the following day and push for a quick agreement to use them.
Councillor Nathan Ley, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequalities and Community Safety, said: “Our trading standards team is keen to get across the message that people shouldn’t agree to offers of building work, home repairs or maintenance that come from a cold call.
“Don’t be afraid to say no, don’t be pressured and check with others if the work is required and what is a fair price to pay. It really is a case of: ‘If it’s out of the blue, it’s not for you!’”
People should first check whether their insurance policy includes emergency assistance support. Most insurance companies will appoint their own tradespeople to carry out the work.
Where work is not covered by insurance, it might be tempting to hire the first person who offers to fix flood damage, especially if they claim to have worked for a neighbour. However, it's strongly recommended to avoid door to door services and get quotes from reputable traders.
Rogue traders may quote low prices but will soon demand more money and very often the work they claim needs doing is completely unnecessary.
The Buy with Confidence website helps Oxfordshire residents to find local traders who have been vetted and approved by trading standards to ensure that they operate in a legal, honest and fair way.
Top tips to help avoid unscrupulous traders:
- Avoid engaging anybody who calls unannounced offering their services.
- Check references and recommendations of traders and ask to see recent examples of completed work.
- If gas and or electrical work is involved, check they have the right qualifications and registrations.
- Find or check a Gas Safe registered engineer in the area who can fit, fix and service gas appliances through the gas safe register.
- Check electricians by visiting elelectricalcompetentperson.co.uk
- Prepare a detailed description of the work needed.
- Meet with several prospective tradesmen. Check they have insurance – see proof.
- If a business is on a recommendation websites, look at how they assess traders who are on their site and how they deal with complaints
- Get at least three written quotes.
- Get a written contract, which should include:
- The identity of the trader, their address and telephone number.
- Details of costs and a payment schedule. Never pay the total amount up front and avoid paying cash.
- A timeframe for the work to be completed.
- Details of what will happen with the rubbish to ensure it won’t be fly tipped or illegally dumped.
- The identity and qualifications of any sub-contractors.
- Details of any cancellation requirements, if applicable.
A contract should be signed before any work start and should include the total price for all work. Be weary and ask questions about any work that increases in price mid contract. Trading standards will mediate if a dispute arises.
Any Oxfordshire resident who has concerns about cold calling or potential scams or wants some pre contract advice can contact the Citizens Advice National Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or by visiting its website citizensadvice.org.uk.
For information about flooding, including details about flood recovery, please read the county council’s flood toolkit at oxfordshirefloodtoolkit.com.
