“Don’t fall foul of rogue roofers,” trading standards say

Derbyshire's trading standards team has issued a warning after nearly half of doorstep crimes reported to them last year involved roofing work.

The warning came after trading standards noticed a sharp rise in reports involving roofing issues over the past two, with residents claiming to have been taken advantage of by traders pressuring them to agree to unneeded work.

Rogue roofers were said to start with low-cost pricing, which would then rapidly increase. Many would demand upfront payments beore any work was carried out, with elderly residents pointed to as particularly vulnerable. 

In 2022 to 2023 there were 76 reports to Derbyshire’s trading standards involving roofing work. This rose in 2023 to 2024 to 135 and remained high last year at 121 reports, which was 47% of all doorstep crime incidents reported in that financial year.

Derbyshire's trading standards team is urging residents looking to have work carried out to check their Trusted Trader scheme to find legitimate traders. 

They also warned residents to be cautious of traders who cold call; use pressure tactics; lack documentation or references; and offer low prices, but upfront payment.

Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Dawn Abbott said: “The rise in this type of incident is worrying and I’m hoping residents will take the trading standards tips on board to protect themselves, vulnerable people they know and also their wallets.

“Rogue traders will often just knock on people’s doors and offer suspiciously low prices for work they say needs carrying out, usually demanding upfront payment, and pressure people to agree immediately.

"To avoid falling victim, we’d strongly advise getting multiple quotes if work genuinely needs carrying out, as well as checking traders’ credentials, and never agree to work without a contract and proper documentation."

Anyone who suspects they have been targeted by a rogue trader is encouraged to call the Citizen's Advice Consumer Service, or police, if they feel immediately threatened. Homeowners can notify their bank if they suspect they have paid a rogue trader.