13 June 2000

DON’T BE STEAMROLLERED INTO TARMACING

The advent of summer and the longer days has again prompted the Trading Standards Service to warn the public of the perennial problem of unscrupulous tarmac or asphalt ‘traders’.

Trading Standards Enforcement Officer, Alan Bell, urged anyone who is approached about an alleged ‘quick and cheap job’ by a contractor who ‘just happens to be carrying out other jobs in the area’, to follow a number of simple guidelines.

"If someone knocks on your door, be cognisant and careful. Take time to consider offers which are being made. Don’t make snap decisions irrespective of how attractive the offer appears.

"Exercise extreme caution if the price verbally quoted for a job is considered good value. It may cost literally hundreds of pounds more in the long-run to put poor quality work right.

"Always obtain a written quotation detailing the work to be done;

"If asked to pay more than £200 always obtain at least two written quotations for the work.

"Don’t pay the full price until the job is completed to your total satisfaction, and always insist on getting a receipt for the completed job."

Alan Bell also warned the public to be wary of leaflets put through letterboxes where the sole point of contact is a mobile phone number;

Referring to the power of advertising, he added: "We all know how powerful a weapon advertising is owefvbut it is important to remember that the ability to buy advertising space on a relatively large scale does not necessarily guarantee that the firm is a reputable one.

"Before choosing a contractor, I would urge anyone wanting this type of work done, in the first instance, to ask a friend to recommend one they have used.

"Ask the contractor for the names and addresses of at least two previous customers and contact them to check on the standard of work.

"If possible, visit the contractor’s premises to see their operation and to ensure that you have a contact point if things go wrong.

"If a common-sense approach is adopted, people will be saved a lot of heartache, and possibly a considerable amount of money," he concluded.

 

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