Home improvement tips: how to avoid rogue traders and scams

Unfortunately being ripped off by rouge traders is now an all too often and frequent occurrence, so much so, that there are now numerous TV programmes on this very subject, it has almost become a national institution The following is intended to guide you through the process of hiring a contractor to work in your home and if you stick to the principles laid down in this article you should avoid most of the mistakes people make and avoid all the pain and frustration that so frequently occurs when unwittingly hiring a rogue trader.

Check if they belong to a trade body - word of mouth recommendations are best for hiring a tradesman, internet forums and online reviews can also be helpful. However: "Membership of a reputable trade federation is the best check of a professional's credentials. Check a trade is one of the best services to use when hiring a tradesman to carry out work in your property. Trade organisations like the NFB or the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) check each contractor's qualifications, references and insurance for you. Always treat with suspicion tradesmen who turn up on your doorstep touting for work - many scams operate in this way.

Always ask to see their paperwork - independently check a tradesman's credentials by asking to see proof of their qualifications and insurance, you also have the right to request references. There is no better way to check a tradesman out than by actually seeing some of the work they have done previously, so asking for phone numbers of previous customers is is a sure fire way to scare off any potential cowboys. This is especially important when it comes to potentially dangerous work such as gas or electric fittings. A reputable company will normally have a landline and company address, be wary of tradesmen who can only provide you with a mobile phone number or email address. A good contractor will be happy to answer questions, provide documentation and may even have a portfolio of past projects to show you.

Home improvement tips: how to avoid rogue traders and scams

The following is an extensive guide on how to avoid being ripped off or scammed by rogue traders when undertaking home improvements or property maintenance. Get at least three quotes - Set out a detailed brief and be clear about what you want, as this can make a huge difference to quotes When you are ready to decide, don't just go with the cheapest option, consider communication and quality too.. Comparing quotes allows you to get a general idea of what your costs should be and enables you to weed out any high-priced scams. Be careful of suspiciously low quotes too - if you think it's too good to be true, it probably is. Draw up a contract - verbal contracts are a bad idea. Always draw up a clear written contract for your home improvement project stating exactly what work needs to be completed. Make sure the contract covers cost and payment method and specifies a timescale for the work - with a completion date if possible. One of the most important things to remember is: Never pay the full cost of the project up front. One of the most common scams is to ask for material money upfront, you should never do this and only give money for materials if and when they have been delivered to your house and then only when you are given a receipt for the exact cost of all items It is important to state that this is your home and you are the one that makes the rules when you decide to employ someone to carry out work or improvements in your house. A good tradesman should always display an attitude of respect towards you and your home. The attitude of the trader is as important as his or her qualifications most good trades people understand this as they know it gives them repeat business

Report rogue traders - if you do have the misfortune to come across a rogue trader or fall prey to a home improvement scam, make sure that: "You report cowboys to the office of fair trading and standards," says David. This will hopefully prevent other people from becoming victims of the same tradesman and may enable you to prosecute or claim compensation too.

The Main points in brief

1 - Always try and use a company that you are familiar with or who's been recommended to you by a friend or family member. 2 - Always ensure that the company has a landline telephone number and an address that checks out. Call the number and visit the premises if you wish. 3 - If possible try and use an established company that way you can ask for a reference and you can check the companies work by contacting the pervious customer they did the work for. 4 - Use the internet and do some research on the company to see if there have been any complaints made about them. 5 - Always get a quote for the job before they start the work, this way you know exactly how much you will be paying when the job is complete. 6 - Get written quotes from more than one company. 7 - If you can, avoid paying the tradesmen in cash; always pay by cheque or credit card. 8 - Never pay upfront for the whole job, wait until the job is complete and you are satisfied with the work they carried out. 9 - Make sure the company has got appropriate public liability insurance, especially if they are doing a big job for you. 10 - Make sure the company works within the normal rules & regulations for that said trade. Example: Most established Builders are FMB members. Electricians are NICEIC registered. Plumbers have to be Gas Safe registered if dealing with gas. 11 - Make sure the company gives guarantees on all their work. 12 - Always ask for a receipt when you have made payment. On the receipt it should state that that work is under guarantee for an agreed amount of time.

The golden rule when deciding to carry out home improvements or maintenance on your property is preparation and research on your part. Put a plan together of what exactly you want doing and the time scales you think are needed.

You can also check out prices of the main materials online that you think are needed, the savvy home owner will purchase the materials themselves, and so avoid high mark ups applied to materials used for the job, it will also send a signal to the tradesperson that you are clued up and not an easy target for scams.

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