Don't get ripped off by a rogue trader

Rights, Scams and Politics

Updated on 14 August 2012 | 3 Comments

Rogue traders can turn your dream home into a nightmare. Make sure you don't get caught out.

Fall victim to a cowboy contractor and you could end up paying a very heavy price. To protect yourself and your home, follow these five simple tips:

1. Get a recommendation

Ask your friends, family or neighbours to recommend someone who has really impressed them, and make sure you ask for several references from previous customers who have had similar work done.

Be very wary of cold callers who offer great deals on home improvements, and don’t give them the job unless you thoroughly check them out first.

2. Get online

There are lots of websites which can recommend experienced contractors. Try posting the details of your job online for free at sites like My Hammer, My Builder or Rated People. Not only will you be able to compare the quotes easily, but you can also check the ratings each tradesman or firm has received from previous customers.

3. Look for the Trustmark logo and check trade associations

Find out whether a tradesman or firm is TrustMark approved. All TrustMark registered tradesmen will have had their skills, trading record and financial status independently checked. Many reputable tradesmen will also be members of a trade association. Again their work will normally need to reach a certain standard before membership is granted.

4. Get a written quote upfront

Next get a rundown of all the costs for the job in writing before the work has started, outlining charges for materials, labour and VAT.

If the work is due to be paid in stages, agree in advance when payments are due. But never pay the full amount you owe until all the work is completed. You should also set a start and completion date for the job in advance.

5. Use your credit card

Finally, pay for at least some of the work using your credit card. If things go wrong, you may be able to pursue your credit card company for redress, if you can’t get any joy from your tradesman. This is because credit cards offer Section 75 protection as long as you have spent more than £100, but less than £30,000.

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