NAPIT has issued new advice to help householders avoid being ripped off by rogue traders. This follows a recent claim from the Office of Fair Trading that almost half of us have been targeted by con-artists at some point in our lives.
Consumers are advised to be cautious of doorstep sellers, cold callers, and flyers through the post. If you’re contacted, never pay on the spot before work has been carried out and don’t be pressured by hard sell tactics. Remember, if products and services worth over £35 are sold to you on the doorstep, the seller is legally required let you know, in writing, that you have the right to cancel within 7 days.
Steer clear of suspiciously low quotes or estimates. If it sounds too good to be true, the chances are it is. You should also avoid anyone who is unwilling to provide important details about their business (such as an address) or is reluctant to supply references from past clients.
Search for a tradesperson registered with a Government approved membership scheme provider such as NAPIT. NAPIT ensures a range of tradespeople meet strict qualification requirements and are regularly assessed to ensure their ongoing competence. NAPIT registered installers include; electricians, plumbers, renewable technology installers and Green Deal Installers and Advisors.
Check the credentials of the people you hire. Sometimes rogue traders make false claims about being a member of a trusted organisation. To check a NAPIT member, ask to see their ID badge and search for the company on the NAPIT website: www.napit.org.uk/consumer/fastSearch.aspx. Some cowboys will even falsely claim to be part of a reputable, registered contracting firm. Phone the company they claim to work for or check their website to verify their claims.
Always ask for a written contract to protect against non-fulfilment of a formal agreement. This should cover all aspects of any agreed work and be signed by both parties. Be wary of a ‘tradesperson’ who asks for cash up front or says they only accept cash. Paying up front gives rogue traders the opportunity not to complete an agreed program of work. Tradespeople who ask for cash in hand may be trying to evade tax. Ensure the contract you sign only requires payment when the job is finished or after a set amount of work has been completed.
Shop around. Get at least three written quotes and compare prices. It can also be a good idea to pay for work costing over £100 by credit card to take advantage of additional protection.
Once work has been completed, ensure you have received certificates for work that is notifiable under the Building Regulations for England and Wales. Competent tradespeople, registered with an organisation such as NAPIT, can legally self-certify the work they do and make sure you get the documents to demonstrate the compliance of your home.
NAPIT work closely with TrustMark, a register of trusted tradespeople operating to Government endorsed standards.
Liz Male, Chairman of TrustMark, said: “TrustMark is continually looking to empower the consumer and root out rogue traders who falsely claim to be professionally qualified or registered. We urge consumers to be wary of uninvited tradesmen and always check the credentials of any firm to ensure they are approved and reputable. By not checking out a tradesman, consumers could be inviting in a rogue and costing themselves a fortune with an over charged bodge job.
“There are some simple steps homeowners can take to check they are dealing with a genuine tradesman. Be wary of ‘customer feedback’ websites for finding your tradesmen as the reviews can often be false or inaccurate, but do check websites like NAPIT and TrustMark. We are here to signpost you to the trustworthy and reliable firms.”
If you’re looking for a tradesperson, search at: www.napit.org.uk/consumer/fastSearch.aspx or www.trustmark.org.uk
