Homeowners warned to be on alert as builder fraud increases
Homeowners in Swindon are being warned to be aware of rogue builders following a rise in the number of building fraud claims across the South West.
Published: Monday, 25th April 2022
From today (25 April), a joint initiative between Trading Standards South West (TSSW) and the 11 South West local authority Trading Standards services it represents, including Swindon, will highlight the issue and provide homeowners with advice and guidance.
Last year, Trading Standards saw increased complaints relating to all types of building work across the region – from roofing projects to home extensions and major renovations, with the highest value claim worth over £420,000.
Rogue builders use a range of tactics to trick homeowners into using them. The latest methods include fake online reviews, posting on social media sites and advertising on non-verified online platforms. Charging upfront and asking for more money for apparently increased material costs were also common complaints put to Trading Standards.
Richard Bell, Swindon Borough Council’s Director of Strategic Development and Growth, Transport, Planning and Regulatory Services, said: “It is not surprising that the upward trend in home improvements since the pandemic has led to increased activity by rogue builders. Despite many complainants having done some due diligence before instructing works, this was not sufficient to protect them from the fraudsters.
“We hope that by raising awareness of building fraud, we will educate consumers, give them the confidence to make the right decisions and make it more difficult for fraudsters to operate. If any homeowner has concerns about a builder or tradesperson, they should always seek advice before agreeing to or paying for work.”
The awareness week will highlight the warning signs, show homeowners how to find a reputable builder, and advise what to do when things go wrong.
Swindon Borough Council is hosting its next ‘Getting the builders in’ presentation at the end of next month.
The session explains how building designs can be made to comply with planning and building regulations, offers tips on finding a good builder and how to make sure the building work delivers what homeowners want from their extension.
The free one-hour workshop will take place on Wednesday, 25 May and starts at 6pm. It will be held via Microsoft Teams and a link for the session will be sent to attendees in advance. For more information please email: BControl@swindon.gov.uk.