Beware of Cold Calling

Sadly, despite the fact that more people than ever are aware of the dangers of so-called “cowboy builders”, it seems that there are more than ever. Consumer affairs television shows and the press are often warning about scams or reporting about vulnerable people who have been victims of these scams and subsequently lost out.

External wall coatings is a key area where scamming can take place, and one of the most popular scams cold calling.

While cold calling is not at all illegal, the very nature of tradespeople knocking on a door and suggesting that rendering or wall coating could be in the homeowners’ best interests suggests that these tradespeople may not be trustworthy – especially when some of the methods they use are considered.

The law

As has already been noted, there is nothing illegal about cold calling; however, there are certain rules and regulations that these tradespeople must adhere to.

An example of this is the Cancellation of Contracts made in a Consumer's Home or Place of Work Regulations (2008), which gives customers a seven-day cooling off period for purchases valued over £35. In addition to providing customers with this period, traders are required to notify their customers of this right in writing.

The problem

Of course, the problem is that the above law and many other laws which are intended to protect the rights of the customer are not adhered to by cold callers, who then use hard sales tactics in order to get the “yes” they seek.

The Office of Fair Trading have recently released statistics which suggests that over 3 million Britons have fallen foul of door to door traders, losing an average of £600 each. The statistics also suggest that it is the elderly and vulnerable who are at the most risk, with the most complaints being received relating to roofing, tarmacking, paving and insulation.

It is on the subject of insulation that many rogue traders are able to offer wall coatings. They use hard selling techniques to suggest that the home could be losing heat and therefore money, or be subject to draughts and damp without adequate wall coatings. One of the largest reasons why door to door salesman are so able to use external walls as both a selling and buying point is that poorly kept or damaged external wall coatings are so easy to spot whilst walking past the home in question and as such are a valuable tool for these traders to seize upon.

The solution

In addition to releasing the statistics, the OFT has launched a nationwide campaign to educate homeowners about their rights relating to door to door salesmen.

The OFT also offers a variety of advice, including that of avoiding door to door traders universally and exercising caution with any traders which are used. Further recommendations include getting written quotes on all jobs, comparing at least three quotes before agreeing on a wall coating company, and looking exclusively for companies affiliated with certain trade bodies such as the Federation of Master Builders.