Cowboy Builders at Large in Ealing

Council warns residents not to use cold callers

Ealing Council is warning residents to be aware of cowboy builders operating in the borough.

Ealing Council’s Trading Standards officers have been investigating a building firm known to have persuaded residents to agree to ‘urgent’ building repairs.  Residents have been driven to their banks to withdraw large sums of cash to pay for the building work.  The work undertaken has been unnecessary and of poor quality. 

Trading Standards officers want to hear from members of the public who have had building work carried out that they are not satisfied with, or anyone who has paid for work thathas not been completed after hiring a company who approached them uninvited.

Councillor Vlod Barchuk, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: “This type of activity is particularly appalling because its victims are often the most vulnerable in the community. As part of the Council’s drive to make Ealing safer we are advising residents not to agree to buy any services from anyone who has turned up on the doorstep uninvited.” 

Doug Love, Trading Standards Manager, said: “We would urge anyone considering work to be carried out on their home, to use reputable builders. They would never cold call and should be able to give you a written quote for you to compare to others.”

Download the Trading Standards Team’s fact sheet about cowboy builders from http://www.ealing.gov.uk/services/business/trading_standards or alternatively call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 for more information and advice.

Reliable local home improvement services can be found in the EalingToday.co.uk directory.

June 16, 2008