{"id":145,"date":"2023-08-02T12:25:04","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T12:25:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/kops\/?page_id=145"},"modified":"2023-08-18T09:45:47","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T09:45:47","slug":"doorstep-traders","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/kops\/stay-safe\/stay-safe-content\/doorstep-traders\/","title":{"rendered":"Doorstep Traders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Doorstep trading advice taken from Stay Safe guide June 2023.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting work done on your home. Beware of doorstep traders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beware of cold callers to your door. If you\u2019re not expecting someone then take extra steps in dealing with them to make sure you\u2019re not being targeted by doorstep scammers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t have to open the door to anyone you don\u2019t know. Age UK suggest four steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop <\/strong>– are you expecting anyone?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lock <\/strong>– are your other doors locked just in case you are distracted with the caller?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chain <\/strong>– can you put a chain on or check through a window first?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check <\/strong>– ask for identify and then check their credentials carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that a genuine or credible visitor will be prepared to be kept waiting or for details to be checked. Ask for them to make an appointment for another time if you want to – and then get someone to be there with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rogue traders will call at your door telling you they have spotted work that you need doing, or offering great discounts or offers of work. Never buy from a doorstep seller and never commit to any work with a doorstep trader until you\u2019ve taken advice and steps to make sure you are doing work reputably. Remember you can report anything you think is suspicious to your local Policing team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can display a \u201cNo Cold Callers\u201d window sticker in your window (and encourage your neighbours to do so too). This will warn rogue doorstep traders not to approach you. (Visit www. nelwatch.org.uk to find out about how to get local No Cold Caller window stickers)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do need work done make sure you follow a series of sensible steps to keep yourself, your property and your money well protected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting work done<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may be building an extension or garage or fitting a kitchen or bathroom. Or you may be getting windows, carpets or curtains fitted. Or it may be as simple as connecting an aerial, cleaning out some gutters or mowing your lawn. Make sure the person or business you use to do this work is honest, genuine, capable and competent first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some steps to think about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Check if you need permissions or approvals.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will planning permission be needed? Do you need other permissions to do the work on your home?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Find a competent builder or trader.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check that they have the right certifications or credentials for their work. Electricians or gas engineers need to be registered for example. Ask someone you trust for recommendations or look for a trader in an appropriate trade directory. Check their address, website for information and make sure you speak to or meet a contractor before agreeing to hire them. Ask for references of other work they have done. Follow up on the references if you have any doubts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many national lists that traders can register with to show that they are reputable. The local scheme is Buy with Confidence (visit www.nelincs.gov.uk and search “buy with confidence\u201d) and there are many national schemes too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Get quotes before you make any decisions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get it in writing. Make sure quotes cover everything that will need doing. And ideally get more than one quote in advance so you can compare. Don\u2019t agree to quotes and work until you\u2019re ready to make a final decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Check that insurance is in place.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ask about insurance by the con- tractor. There should be public liability insurance in place as a minimum. You might need to check your own home insurance too for larger work. You need to ensure you\u2019ll be covered by the right insurance should something go wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Get it in writing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you\u2019ve got a proper written contract in place if the nature of the work warrants it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Agree everything that needs to be done including how and when payments are made. Ideally don\u2019t pay up front more than is necessary and avoid paying in cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Be prepared to deal with problems<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even before you start, think about how to manage things if they go wrong. Do you have all the contact details for the contractor for a start? If things start going wrong get the contractor back on track if you can. In the worst case scenario you\u2019ll need to seek advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<< back to the list of contents<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Doorstep trading advice taken from Stay Safe guide June 2023. Getting work done on your home. Beware of doorstep traders Beware of cold callers to your door. If you\u2019re not expecting someone then take extra steps in dealing with them to make sure you\u2019re not being targeted by doorstep scammers. You don\u2019t have to open […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":107,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-145","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/kops\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/kops\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/kops\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/kops\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/kops\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=145"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/kops\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":190,"href":"https:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/kops\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/145\/revisions\/190"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/kops\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/107"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/kops\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}