As the spring season prompts homeowners to consider property improvements, North Somerset Council is cautioning residents against a rise in rogue traders looking to take advantage of the situation.
The council’s trading standards team is warning of unscrupulous operators who may exploit unsuspecting consumers with overpriced, substandard, or unnecessary work as temperatures rise and residents turn their attention to home repairs.
Councillor James Clayton, executive member for safety in the community, emphasized the potential impact of rogue trading on victims, highlighting the physical, mental, and financial distress it can cause. He defined rogue trading as the exploitation of consumers’ vulnerability or lack of knowledge, such as inflating prices, demanding large upfront payments, quoting for unnecessary or beyond competence jobs, and not providing appropriate cancellation rights.
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To combat this issue, the council is committed to ensuring fair and safe trading in North Somerset. They have issued key guidance for residents to protect themselves from rogue traders and advised anyone suspecting unfair trading or believing they have been a victim to contact the Citizens Advice consumer service or call 0808 223 1133. This service offers free, impartial support and enables monitoring and action against rogue behavior by North Somerset trading standards.
