TRADING STANDARDS ADVICE
Do not answer the door to cold callers. The latest report concerns roofing and guttering. Please see this link:
https://new.enfield.gov.uk/services/business-and-licensing/trading-standards/
In terms of getting roof work done we always recommend obtaining 3 quotes and speaking to Building Control:
Recommendations
- Ensure they are written quotations and NOT estimates, advise the trader you will only be paying the quote sum and do not want any hidden costs/surprises;
- You will be getting other quotes, so are looking for a competitive quote on the basis of payment on completion;
- Payment must be by bank transfer, cheque or credit/debit card (cards give you additional protection) NEVER cash;
- For Roofing works:
- If it is a glazed roof use a FENSA registered glazier – https://www.fensa.org.uk/find-installers
- If it is a flat or pitch roof, the competent roofer scheme (under the National Federation of Roofing Contractors) offers an insurance backed guarantee for their members but there is also the guild of master craftsman, the federation of master builders and confederation of roofing contractors. All of which may offer similar insurance backed schemes;
- Check which scheme verifies identity, insurance and criminal records of their members;
- Go for a local roofer who you know is based locally – you have seen their liveried vans regularly over a number of years, friends and neighbours have used/recommended them;
- Contact council building control and if necessary get building control permission, they will send a surveyor to ensure the builder builds a roof to building regulation standards;
- Or consider getting your own surveyor to project manage or check the work is being completed to a good standard.
If you can do so, obtain identification from your traders – photo id, utility bills, Vehicle registrations and photos of the work, workers and principals in the business as work progresses.
Further information and advice is available here: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/find-a-trader-and-check-you-can-trust-them/
You can find trusted traders here:
[https://trustedtraders.which.co.uk%20]https://trustedtraders.which.co.uk
In a number of cases you maybe entitled to a 14 day notice and cooling off period. Be aware lack of paper work, and cash payments can weaken chances of following up complaints, enquiries and issues. Also, enforcement authorities can have difficulties proving money changed hands, investigating and locating these individuals after works are completed.
REACT 