ROGUE TRADERS STILL CAUSING MAYHEM

In an 18 month period leading up to September 2010, Consumer Direct, the Government funded consumer advice service, received over 146,000 complaints from consumers about problems they had experienced with builders, plumbers, electricians, decorators and other home improvement traders.  B&ES, the long established trade association that operates the consumer advice service the Heating Helpline, issues some valuable advice to homeowners on how to avoid falling for the rip off tactics of rogue traders.

10 August 2012 – In an 18 month period leading up to September 2010, Consumer Direct, the Government funded consumer advice service, received over 146,000 complaints from consumers about problems they had experienced with builders, plumbers, electricians, decorators and other home improvement traders.

Commenting on these figures, Blane Judd, Chief Executive of B&ES (the Building & Engineering Services Association), said, “There are far too many ‘rip off’ cowboy builders and rogue traders operating in the UK but there are some simple steps that home owners considering calling in outside help for home improvement work can take to protect themselves. Our advice is to follow these guidelines:

• Approach several traders and ask for a written and itemised quote. It is good practice to obtain at least three quotes. Getting quotes will give you a realistic guide to how much the work is likely to cost and it will also help you plan for the work and look at ways to raise money, if you need to.

• Itemised quotes help you to compare what different traders charge for each part of the work. They will also help you to decide which part you can remove if the costs are higher than your budget allows. Do check that traders are estimating a similar time period to complete the job and check that the quote includes everything in your list of required work.

• Quotes should include V.A.T. If it is not mentioned, check whether it is included and write down the final amount you will be asked to pay. Agree with the trader if you want the quote to include costs for materials and hire of equipment and check that this has been clearly shown in the quote.

• Using a good quality trader with an established reputation will help ensure that the work goes smoothly. Be wary about using traders who cold call at your door. Make sure that you have checked the trader's work history and quality of work and get everything you have agreed in writing.

• The paperwork your trader provides is a good indication of how well established they are. It should include full contact details for the trader and the company, including a postal address. If the paperwork shows the trader is a member of a Local Authority approved trader scheme or if they are a member of a trade association or similar you can go on the relevant website and check details. You should carry out these checks before you make any decisions on whether to use any particular trader.”

A number of trade competence schemes operate in the UK – each claims to have some procedures in place to verify the competence, professionalism and reputation of the individual companies that are in their scheme. Several local authorities operate ‘Buy with Confidence’ schemes.

Mr Judd continues, “It’s worth bearing in mind that whilst there are several trade competence schemes now operating in the UK only one – TrustMark – is officially endorsed and backed by the Government. TrustMark was set up specifically to help homeowners and consumers locate local reputable trades-people to carry out quality improvements, repairs and maintenance work on their home or garden.

“By employing the services of TrustMark registered traders homeowners can be assured that they are using a firm that operates according to industry best practice, with a standard of workmanship that has been verified by their TrustMark Scheme operator”.

The TrustMark scheme covers many of the trades householders look for such as builders, plumbers, electricians, glaziers, roofers, landscape gardeners and damp-proof specialists. B&ES is an official operator for the heating and plumbing sector and was one of the first trade associations to join the scheme. All B&ES members that undertake gas work are also Gas Safe registered.

For more information about the TrustMark scheme visit: http://www.trustmark.org.uk. For advice on home heating and energy saving, including how to locate a qualified, registered heating engineer, visit http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk.

Ends

Issued on behalf of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) by Next Step Marketing Ltd

Media enquiries to:  Heather Lambert.  Tel:  44(0)1256 472020;

Fax:  44(0)1256 471010; E-mail:  heather@nextstepmarketing.co.uk

Notes to editors

Since its formation in 1904, B&ES, the Building & Engineering Services Association (formerly the HVCA) has represented the interests of companies engaged in a wide range of building and engineering services including domestic heating and renewable technologies.

B&ES members are subject to regular, third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability, carried out by an independent certification body at least every three years.

B&ES members who undertake gas installations are registered with Gas Safe – the gas safety watchdog body – and are also members of TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme designed to direct customers towards reliable tradespeople.

B&ES operates the Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.

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