The trades which drew the most complaints from Herefordshire residents in the past two years have been revealed – with one overarching winner.
A Freedom of Information request to Herefordshire Council asked how many complaints were made to it of home improvement tradespeople breaching consumer protection law in the two years up to June.
The council has now responded that it had received 438 such complaints across 50 trade categories – nearly one each working day.
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The transgressing trades top 10 goes:
10. Other general building work (14 complaints)
8.= Heating systems/boiler installation (18)
8.= Heating systems/boiler servicing (18)
7. Gardeners, tree surgeons and landscapers (19)
6. Renewable energy (25)
5. Paving, driveways, patios and decking (27)
4. Window frames and doors, excluding electric garage doors (31)
3. Major renovations, including lofts, conversions and extensions (38)
2. Insulation (47)
1. Roofing, roof sealing and chimney repairs (73 complaints)
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The council says residents with complaints about tradespeople should first call the nationwide Citizens Advice Consumer Service (CACS) helpline on 0808 223 1133, which “provides first-level consumer and business advice on behalf of Herefordshire Trading Standards”.
It previously explained that, rather than resorting to “time-consuming, costly and legally complex” prosecutions, it prioritises alternative enforcement options with wayward tradespeople including improvement notices, written warnings and education.
The council advises people in the county to be wary about unsolicited telephone calls, visits or flyers offering home improvements, and to get a second opinion and compare quotes before agreeing to any work.
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