Bromley Council are urging people to be vigilant after a series of recent and unrelated cases involving residents being targeted for roofing work, with demands exceeding £270,000.
The Trading Standards warning follows four separate and unrelated cases across the borough in recent weeks. Residents are believed to have been substantially overcharged after being approached by traders offering potentially unnecessary roofing and related works. Across the four cases, residents had already paid over £130,000, with traders seeking a further £140,000.
Councillor Angela Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement said: “These cases are deeply concerning. Residents have faced demands for many thousands of pounds, sometimes for work that may not have been needed, and in these cases at prices that appear vastly excessive. We are therefore reminding residents not to rush when hiring a trader. Take time to check a trader’s credentials, reviews and previous work, obtain multiple quotes, and seek independent advice before agreeing to any work or handing over money.”
Be cautious if approached about roofing work
Residents are being urged to be particularly cautious when approached about roofing work, whether through cold callers, doorstep traders, leaflet drops, websites, social media or other unsolicited approaches.
The safest approach is to get multiple written quotes, carry out independent checks and use reputable traders, such as those listed through Bromley Trading Standards Checked.
This has happened across the borough
- An Orpington resident paid around £90,000 for a new roof on a small, terraced property following a cold call. A suspect was identified and investigations into the circumstances of the work and potential overcharging are continuing.
- A Chislehurst resident contacted a trader after seeing an advertisement to investigate a roof leak. What began as a quote of a few hundred pounds reportedly escalated to around £10,000 for roofing works, with the resident paying £4,000 before further works at the property were then quoted at more than £100,000. The resident was allegedly advised to cash in their pension or use the deeds of their home to fund the work.
- A Hayes resident paid £20,000 of a £50,000 demand after being approached by a roofer offering replacement roofing works. Trading Standards intervened and advised that no further payments should be made whilst enquiries continue.
- In a further case, Trading Standards and police were contacted after a Beckenham couple were being asked to pay a further £10,000 for roofing and guttering works, having already agreed to works valued at £25,000. The trader had initially approached the residents near their home.
Trading Standards officers are also concerned that some residents may have felt pressured into proceeding with works after scaffolding had been erected, often at very short notice. Residents should remember that they are not automatically responsible for scaffolding costs simply because scaffolding has appeared at their property.
Just because a company has a website or social media account doesn’t mean it’s legitimate
Trading Standards is reminding residents that the existence of a website, social media page, leaflet or online advert does not automatically mean that a trader is reputable. If you are considering significant roofing work, get multiple written quotes, check references independently and verify business details before you go ahead.
Residents are encouraged to use Trading Standards Checked to find vetted local traders.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by a rogue trader can seek advice through Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or report fraud via the Report Fraud website.
Check in on vulnerable neighbours
As always, check in on neighbours who may be vulnerable. Scammers can be very convincing, and they know when to apply pressure. If it looks like a neighbour is having some unexpected work done, just check in and make sure everything is ok. You don’t have to fix everything yourself, but you can explain how they can get help.
Coney Hall Village Residents' Association (CHVRA) 