As the spring season begins, Trading Standards are urging residents to be on their guard as they normally see an increase in complaints about home improvements at this time of year, with roof repairs and gardening work among the most common.
Trading Standards Co-ordinator Tony Cairns said: "I urge local residents to be on their guard with any uninvited callers who turn up on their doorstep offering to carry out work. Politely inform them that you do not buy on the doorstep and that you wish them to leave. If you enter into a contract on the doorstep, you are entrusting potentially expensive work to someone you have never heard of, and may never see again."
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Common scams include:
• Offering to initially replace a tile or slate on the roof but then stating that water is getting into the roof and that it needs replacing urgently
• Giving a cheap price to clean and clear the garden but then charging much more for 'extra' work carried out
• Stating that they are working in your local area and have a load of tarmac left over which will go off if it isn't used
• Stating that they can replace rotten wooden soffits, fascia boards and guttering when in fact they use cheap plastic to cover the problem instead
• Offering to trim trees or replace driveways then fly-tipping waste generated from your home, leaving residents open to prosecution for not controlling disposal of their waste
Mr Cairns added: "Residents should warn any elderly neighbours and relatives about the risks and if possible notify Trading Standards or police if you suspect there is anyone suspicious operating in and around your area. There are numerous reputable, trustworthy local traders available to residents and in West Dunbartonshire we now operate a successful Trusted Trader Scheme."
To view the Trusted Trader Scheme, visit here.
(LM)
