Local police officers are warning Herefordshire residents to be wary following an increase of reports whereby traders cold call properties, telling the occupants that they need work to be done to their home or garden, for example that their roof or guttering are damaged or their trees are unsafe and need work. The work has then been badly done and sometimes the price has jumped by ten times because the trader ’helpfully’ found other things that also needed to be fixed.

The police have also received several reports about cold callers offering to do gardening work, driveways or roof cleaning. In some driveway cleaning cases, the traders have persuaded the customer to have the back patio cleaned as well as the front drive, causing the price to jump up hugely from the original estimate.

Trading Standards and Police advise that residents should never have work done by anyone who cold calls. No reputable trader ever approaches a customer in this way.

It is a good idea to display a ’No Cold Callers’ sticker in your window and turn away any callers you don’t know, if possible without opening the door.

If you think your home or garden needs work, It is a good idea to use a trader recommended by a neighbour or friend. You can also call the Citizen’s Advice Consumer Service on 0845 404 0506 to find a reputable local trader, approved by Trading Standards. You should also obtain three quotes to check the price is competitive and the work really needs doing - never rely on the word of a single trader.

Any contracts over £42 that are agreed in a customer’s home are subject to 14 day cooling off rights. The homeowner must be given written information about their right to cancel, about the identity of the trader who is doing the work and the total cost of the work to be carried out. A statement on a flyer or business card about a 14 day cooling off period is not enough. If the customer requires the work to start within the 14 day cooling off period, they must authorise this in writing.

“No Cold Callers” stickers can be obtained from your local policing team or from your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau.