Checkatrade News - November 2010
Man accused of stealing £2,500 posing as a fake workman
A court has heard how a man stole £2,500 after conning his way into two pensioners home, by posing as a fake workman.
It is alleged that 20 year old Michael Maughan, carried out the two burglaries using a scam known as the "blue rinse...
Rogue traders plead guilty to £1.5m repairs scam
Six rogue traders have pleaded guilty to conning up to 1,600 pensioners across five counties, out of at least £1.5m.
The five men and one woman pleaded guilty to fraud charges at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.
Villages introduce no cold calling zones
Police are helping residents to avoid becoming victims of rogue traders by launching several No Cold Calling zones.
The schemes have so far been introduced in several villages in the west country including Mark, Blackford, Wedmore and...
New build sprinklers law supported by AMs
Safety proposals which would see all newly-built homes in Wales fitted with fire sprinklers, has overcome the first hurdle towards legislation.
If the proposals were to become law, it would see all builders forced to include automatic...
DIY causes 220,000 emergency hospital visits every year
Every year 220,000 people are admitted to hospital because their attempts at DIY goes wrong, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
The statistics come from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, who revealed...
Decorator fined for rogue trader offences
A painter and decorator in Wales has been fined £600 for committing rogue trader offences.
Trading as LC Building and Maintenance, Lee Carbis pleaded guilty in court for failing to exercise professional diligence when carrying out a...
Builders encouraged to help save swifts
Building companies are being urged to help save the swift, whose numbers have dropped by half in the last 15 years in south east England.
Swifts are only in England for three months every summer before migrating to central and southern...
DIY guttering tips can save your home this winter
With the impending snow and rain expected to hit the UK this week, people across Britain need to be aware of how having blocked guttering can increase the chances of water damage and damp in their homes, says the Shropshire Star.
Guttering is...
Tradesmen urged to enrol on new technology courses
Tradesmen in Runcorn are being urged to take advantage of cutting edge courses on offer in the area.
According to Scientiam, a Preston Brook based training company, local tradesmen should learn to install technologies such as heat pumps and...
Men in Sheds scheme launched by Age UK
The charity Age UK has launched the Men in Sheds project, designed to help elderly males socialise more and discuss their hobbies - such as DIY and trades - as well as practising their skills.
The Staffordshire Newsletter today reports on the...
Elderly woman conned in her own home
Elderly residents living in the Bucks area are being urged to think about who they answer the door to, after an elderly woman was defrauded in her home.
The woman who lived in Cressington Place, Bourne End answered the door to a man who...
Bogus workmen con victim out of £44k
An 86-year-old man has been duped out of nearly £44,000 after paying conmen who claimed to be from a legitimate roofing firm.
The victim from Bagshot in Surrey was persuaded by the workmen to have roofing work carried out on his...
Rogue trader caught by trading standards hidden camera
A rogue trader was caught on camera after Oldham trading standards carried out an undercover operation.
In the first sting of its kind in the area, council officers posed as the owners of a rented house which had been fitted with surveillance...
Police hunt 'callous' bogus gardeners
Residents in North Yorkshire have been warned to be on the look out for bogus gardeners, after one victim was conned out of £500.
Police are currently appealing for information following the incident which took place last week at a...
New survey finds men know little about DIY
Modern men are absolutely clueless when it comes to carrying out basic DIY jobs around the home, with millions struggling to even change a lightbulb, a new study has revealed.
A combination of laziness and hectic lifestyles has left...
Monmouthshire residents warned after cold calling incidents
Police in Monmouthshire are warning residents of the presence of cold callers in the area, following two arrests in separate incidents.
As reported by the Free Press Series, a 17 year old and 29 year old were arrested on suspicion of not...
Dodgy duo sentenced for energy efficiency scam
A pair of rogue traders ripped off unsuspecting customers, conning them out of thousands of pounds in an energy efficiency scam.
The pair, Dennis Price also know as Dave Lee and John Smith ran dodgy property repair companies under the names of...
New survey reveals Britain's worst DIY trends
A new survey by the Post Office, has revealed some of the worst DIY home improvement trends of the last 30 years.
The research asked homeowners what the worst design fads of the last 30 years were.
Independent offers advice on how to find a good tradesman
"Rogue builders rely on homeowners who are too naive or pressed for time to carry out thorough checks," The Independent has warned its readers.
The newspaper have offered readers a number of tips on finding recommended tradesmen who will...
Homeowners strive to make homes more energy efficient
An increasing number of homeowners are calling in trusted tradesmen to transform their homes in the hope that it'll reduce energy spending.
A report by Which? found that of all the homeowners making changes, the majority are switching their...
Rogue paver's warner for Leicestershire residents
Residents in Leicestershire are being urged to beware of "rogue pavers" who are operating in the area.
A number of complaints have been made to the county council's Trading Standards Service about a number of driveway repair companies charging...
Rogue trader jailed for 32 months
A builder who conned older people into paying for overpriced and unnecessary building work has been sent to jail.
Aaron John Russon of Ripley Close, Langley was sentenced to 32 months in prison for a series of fraud offences which have a value...
