Citizens Advice Warns of Rise in Rogue Roofer Scams

Citizens Advice is alerting homeowners to a growing problem with rogue roofers, reporting a surge in scam firms targeting unsuspecting individuals. In the past year, the charity received nearly 9,000 complaints related to roofing work, with an estimated quarter of these cases suspected to be outright scams.

Rogue roofers commonly employ doorstep tactics, fabricating non-existent roof problems to charge homeowners exorbitant amounts for unnecessary repairs. In other instances, they may be called for a minor, legitimate issue but significantly inflate the scope and cost of the work. These scammers often prey on individuals who post advertisements seeking roofers online.

A 65-year-old woman, identified as Charlotte, from north-east England, became a victim when she posted an advert online seeking help for a dripping gutter. Two men arrived the same day and, after a brief inspection, claimed water was splashing out, damaging the wood beneath the roof and necessitating "eave protection." They quoted £2,500 for this work, later escalating the demand to £3,500 after claiming to discover another problem with crumbling cement under the tiles.

Charlotte, feeling intimidated and alone, paid the £3,500. The following day, there was no evidence of any work being done, and she was unable to contact the individuals. She later received £800 in compensation from the online platform, which informed her that the traders had been previously removed but had re-registered under a different identity and had scammed others in the area.

Suspected roofing scams represented 10% of all goods or service complaints flagged as scams by Citizens Advice in the last year, making them the most prevalent type of scam encountered. Victims reported money being taken with no work completed, invented issues, aggressive sales tactics, intimidation, and gross overcharging. The charity noted that doorstep sales were the method of choice in 77% of these suspected roofing scams.

Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, stated, "There's a difference between a roofer who does a shoddy job, and a scammer who commits a calculated crime—designed solely to extort money from homeowners." She highlighted that scammers exploit the hidden nature of roof work, making it difficult for homeowners to verify the necessity or quality of repairs themselves. Citizens Advice urges consumers to conduct thorough checks before agreeing to any building work.

Avoiding Roofer Scams

Due to the lack of a strict regulatory framework for roofers, distinguishing between reputable and fraudulent tradespeople can be challenging. Scammers often target vulnerable and elderly individuals.

Look out for 'phoenix firms': This practice involves closing down an old company to avoid debts and reopening under a new name and address. Checking a potential roofer's name on Companies House for multiple, recently dissolved firms can be an indicator of this activity.

Ignore doorstep callers: Reputable roofers typically do not solicit work by knocking on doors or making unsolicited calls. It is advisable to be wary of any trader who is reluctant to provide written quotes or requests payment upfront or solely in cash.

Seek recommendations: While online platforms can connect homeowners with tradespeople, they are not always a reliable safeguard. Obtaining recommendations from trusted sources such as neighbors, friends, or family is generally a safer approach.

Understand cancellation rights: If a trader is at your home when you agree to work, you typically have a 14-day cooling-off period to cancel. This right to cancel must be provided in writing by the trader.

Be wary of inflated pricing: Scrupulous roofers may exaggerate minor problems to justify significantly higher costs. It is recommended to obtain at least three written quotes for any work and to research average costs online. Never pay the full amount upfront, as a large deposit can also be a warning sign.