Citizens Advice has warned that fraudulent roofers are fleecing homeowners for thousands of pounds, often delivering shoddy or incomplete work while leaving victims financially devastated. The consumer charity identified roofing scams as the most frequent type of fraud it handled last year, accounting for approximately one in ten recorded cases.
Statistics from the Citizens Advice Consumer Service reveal that 9,000 complaints regarding roofing construction, repairs, and weatherproofing were received in the year leading up to August. Of these, 2,205 were suspected scams, marking an increase from the 2,098 reported in the previous year.
Crystal, a 68-year-old resident of the Midlands, lost £5,500 after hiring a rogue builder. The original contractor dispatched his son to complete the job, who left the eaves unfinished. Following heavy rain, water poured down the interior walls, and damage extended to Crystal’s neighbor’s property when bricks fell into their attic.
“We had heavy rain a couple of weeks after he did the job, and it ended up like a waterfall coming down the wall,” Crystal told the BBC. She described experiencing significant distress, including insomnia and loss of appetite, noting that the incident continues to haunt her.
Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, highlighted that scammers take advantage of the fact that roofs are difficult for homeowners to inspect directly. “Scammers exploit the fact that roofs are out of sight and reach, knowing most people can’t easily inspect the work themselves,” she said.
Aggressive sales tactics are common, with three-quarters of fraudsters utilizing doorstep approaches. Charlotte, 65, who lives alone in north-eastern England, was approached by tradesmen found online who initially quoted £250 to fix a leaking gutter. They subsequently claimed additional work was necessary, eventually pressuring her into paying £3,500 despite her fear and isolation. When she inspected the following day, no work had been performed.
To protect themselves, Citizens Advice advises homeowners to request references, insist on written contracts, and remain cautious of unsolicited visitors. Victims are encouraged to document evidence, including photographs and receipts, should issues arise. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, traders are required to provide information regarding cancellation rights and must complete jobs with reasonable care and skill, entitling customers to repairs or refunds if standards are not met.
Lord Bichard, chair of the National Trading Standards, condemned rogue traders for deliberately targeting individuals in their own homes. Describing roofing fraud as “particularly cruel,” he emphasized that victims can lose their life savings within hours and suffer lasting financial and emotional harm. Trading Standards have vowed to pursue these criminals through legal channels.
It’s shocking that one in ten complaints involves roofing scams now. How can homeowners protect themselves when these criminals use such aggressive tactics?
As a legitimate roofer, I cringe reading this. Real professionals always provide written quotes and references. Please check credentials before hiring anyone.
This is absolutely horrific. My elderly neighbour fell for a similar door-to-door trick last year and lost thousands. We need stricter penalties for these predators.