If your home has been damaged in the recent bad weather caused by Storm Doris getting repairs completed will be something you want to do as quickly as possible, but make sure you don’t end up with a rogue trader or poor quality repairs. Here is some advice to help you get the right trader:

NEVER use cold callers who arrive at your property offering to do work:

Rogue Traders may use bad weather events as an opportunity to try to get householders to agree to them making your repairs. These cold callers rarely give householders proper contact details or their legal rights to cancel within 14 days. They may also claim more work is required than actually is needed and the work they do can often be of poor quality.

Choose reputable traders like a Coventry Trusted Trader

If you do need work done on your property or garden, use a reputable local trader recommended by friends or family or someone who has been vetted and is part of the Trusted Trader Scheme, run by the Council and Age UK Coventry on 024 7643 3982.

Get three (at least) quotes for the work

Try to get at least three traders to come to your property and provide proper written quotations to undertake the work required. Compare them carefully to help you choose the right trader for the job.

NEVER pay the full price upfront

Good businesses or tradesmen will not require payment until the work is finished to your satisfaction. Some may ask for a percentage to cover materials or specific parts if they are expensive but if the trader is asking for full payment upfront don’t contract with them.

Talk to your insurance company FIRST

If you have insurance on your property speak to the company before arranging any repairs. The company may require you to use a company approved by them or may want to see quotations before authorising the work and subsequent payment

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