After the extremely windy weather of the past few weeks, the OFT is advising householders to be very wary of any builders who turn up on the doorstep without a prior appointment, offering to carry out repairs to storm damage or other home improvements.
 
‘Cold calling’ is a tactic often used by itinerant and less-reputable builders to catch householders off their guard and the OFT has been involved with several recent cases on the Island where sub-standard work has been the result.
 
Andrea Tabb, Advice Centre Manager at the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), offers the following advice to householders on how to avoid becoming a victim of rogue builders:-
 
• DON’T be pressurised into having work done
• DON’T fall for patter such as “We’re working on a roof down the road and spotted some damaged tiles on your roof” or “We’ve got some materials left over from a cancelled contract”
• DON’T part with a significant amount of cash up front
• DON’T settle for vague written statements, e.g. “Replace tiles” or “Tarmac drive”  
• DO call the police or the OFT for advice if a builder is pestering you
• DO ask for time to think about it before you agree to having any work done – you may change your mind on reflection when the builder has gone away
• DO ask yourself whether the work to be carried out actually needs doing – if necessary seek a second opinion
• DO seek the advice of your friends, neighbours or relatives before you agree to have work done
• DO obtain at least two further quotes if you believe that the work is necessary – be wary if the quote from the builder who called on you is significantly cheaper than the others
• DO ask for quotes rather than estimates – remember that an estimate is just that and can be exceeded, but a quote should not be exceeded
• DO ask for a written breakdown of the work to be carried out
• DO contact the OFT for advice if a cold calling builder does not give you a notice in writing indicating that you have the right to cancel the contract within the period of 7 days, as in most circumstances you have the right to cancel a contract that you have entered into with a builder who has called at your home without a prior appointment
 
The OFT produces leaflets on “Scams” and also  “Home Improvements – A guide to having work done on your home” which can be obtained from the OFT in Lord Street, Douglas, telephone 686500 or from its website www.gov.im/oft.