Roofing fraud leaves UK homeowners thousands of pounds out of pocket
Roofing scams are now the most common fraud reported to Citizens Advice, accounting for one in 10 of all cases logged over the past year.
Rogue roofers prey on homeowners across England
Roofing fraud is the single most common scam reported to Citizens Advice, the consumer charity has warned, with one in 10 of all scams it recorded in the past year linked to rogue tradesmen charging for work left unfinished, done poorly, or never needed in the first place.
BBC News reports that in the year to August, the Citizens Advice Consumer Service received 9,000 complaints about roofing work covering construction, repairs and weatherproofing. Of those, 2,205 — roughly one in four — were suspected scams, up from 2,098 the previous year.
Victims left with damaged homes and sleepless nights
Crystal, 68, from the Midlands, paid £5,500 to a contractor who sent his son in his place. The son left work in the eaves unfinished. Weeks later, heavy rain exposed the scale of the problem.
"We had heavy rain a couple of weeks after he did the job, and it ended up like a waterfall coming down the wall," she told the BBC.
The damage spread beyond her own property. "They took the lead off my neighbour's side of the chimney, which caused bricks to fall into his attic and the rain to go into his house," she said. The experience has lingered: "I can't sleep. I don't eat properly."
Charlotte, 65, who lives alone in north-eastern England, contacted tradesmen online after her gutter began to leak. An initial quote of £250 quickly escalated. The two men returned repeatedly with new problems they claimed to have found.
"An hour later they said it was sorted, but they'd found another problem," she said. It was dark, she was alone, and she felt unable to push back. She ultimately paid £3,500. The following day, she said, there was no visible sign that any work had been carried out.
Doorstep pressure tactics widespread
Citizens Advice found that three quarters of suspected roofing fraudsters used doorstep sales tactics, with victims also reporting aggressive and intimidating behaviour.
Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said scammers deliberately exploit the nature of roofing work. "Scammers exploit the fact that roofs are out of sight and reach, knowing most people can't easily inspect the work themselves," she said, urging consumers to carry out thorough checks on any trader before agreeing to hire them.
Lord Bichard, chair of National Trading Standards, described roofing fraud as "particularly cruel" and characterised those responsible as "criminals deliberately preying on people in their own homes."
"Victims can lose life savings in a matter of hours and be left with damaged homes, financial hardship and a profound sense of vulnerability long after the criminals have gone," he said. Trading Standards would pursue fraudsters through legal routes, he added.
How to avoid becoming a victim
Citizens Advice has set out a number of steps homeowners can take to protect themselves:
- Be alert: Always ask for references and insist that all agreements are put in writing. Be wary of unsolicited doorstep callers or cold-call tradesmen.
- Gather evidence: If a trader causes problems, photograph the work and retain all paperwork and receipts.
- Know your rights: Traders are legally required to inform you of your right to cancel in writing. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, if work is not carried out with "reasonable care and skill," you are entitled to request a remedy or a refund.
Source: BBC News