Checkatrade News - January 2011
Weston-super-Mare village launches no cold-calling zone
Homeowners in the village of Uphill, Somerset have said 'no' to cold-callers and introduced a No Cold Calling zone across the village.
The zones have become increasingly popular in areas where residents are eager to discourage cold callers...
Elderly couple conned in Sholing, Hampshire
Police are urging people to be careful about cold callers after an elderly couple were the latest victims of a doorstep scam.
As reported by This is Hampshire, the 88-year-old victim had arrived at his home in Sholing when a couple approached...
Majority of people want to keep cheques
Plans to withdraw cheques from circulation are likely to face high opposition from the public, a new poll has found.
The survey which questioned 1,338 people, revealed that 92 per cent of respondents want to keep cheques, even though there are...
Police publish photos of 10 most wanted doorstep criminals
The police have published a series of mugshots of doorstep criminals who prey on the elderly, in a bid to bring the men to justice.
The Daily Mail reproduced the photos of the ten most wanted criminals, in the hope that someone will tip the...
Tiling is popular amongst homeowners
Homeowners who are looking for new ways to improve their home are being encouraged to look at tiling as an alternative choice of flooring.
Tiles are an excellent alternative to carpets or wood, especially in those areas which need a high level...
Over ambitious home improvements cost millions
Botched home improvement projects are set to cost UK homeowners nearly £540 million this month as over ambitious individuals try and carry out DIY, without having the necessary skills.
According to research conducted by Halifax, one...
Man in North Yorkshire conned 78-year-old lady
A number of residents in a North Yorkshire town have been targeted by a cold caller trying to sell house repairs, but when residents pay, the work is never carried out.
A 78-year-old woman was told that repairs were needed on her...
'Misleading' environmental claims on garden products
Which? Gardening and Garden Organic have criticised garden product manufacturers for including "misleading" environmental claims on packaging.
The research which was conducted by Garden Organic programmes director Dr Margi Lennartsson and...
Cowboy builders jailed for 21 years
A gang of cowboy builders, who scammed fifty people across the South of England out of nearly £1 million, have been jailed for twenty one years combined, according to the BBC.
Rogue trader cons grandfather of £2k
A rogue trader who conned a grandfather of six out of more than £2,000, has been ordered to pay more than £4,000 in compensation and court costs.
Jason Southall of Thorns Road, Quarry Bank, must also serve 150 hours community service.
London 2012 workforce approaches peak
The number of workers that are employed to work on the site of the Olympic Games in London is nearing more than 12,000, close to the projects peak new figures show.
There are a total of 12,112 workers in a range of roles including builders,...
Liverpool searches for apprentices
Up to 133 apprenticeships are to be created in Liverpool under a new scheme to encourage businesses to take on new recruits.
The Liverpool Apprenticeship Scheme business grant initiative costs £300,000 which is being funded by the city...
Tradesmen being equipped with skills for future technologies
More than 30 tradesmen are receiving training on how to install 'green' technology.
The training is aimed at plumbers, electricians and other skilled workers who are being taught about the most up to date techniques to be used when installing...
Couple warn others after sinking drive
A couple have warned others of the dangers of employing cold-calling tradesmen, after paying £2,000 for their drive to be re-laid, only for it to start sinking.
Fraudster given curfew after preying on elderly
A fraudster who stole thousands of pounds from a couple he was meant to be working for, has been given a curfew.
Keiron Hadley advertised himself as an odd-job man and was supposed to be fixing the couple's taps.
Small builders increasingly overwhelmed by new regulations
Small builders are becoming overwhelmed by new rules and regulations introduced by the government, a new survey has found.
Research commissioned by the National House Building Council questioned companies that build either 50 or less, houses a...
Conman plumber targeted pensioner
A bogus caller who burgled the home of a vulnerable pensioner has been branded a "loathsome low-life," by a Northern Irish MLA.
The 79 year old victim living in the Craignish Crescent area of Dundonald, was visited by a man claiming to be a...
Plumber sent to prison for illegal gas work
A plumber has been sent to prison, after the BBC's Rogue Traders show caught him carrying out illegal gas work.
Andrew John Carslake from Chelmsford, Essex, was trading as Aqua Plumbing when he was caught out in July 2009 by the BBC...
Conman jailed for fleecing pensioner of savings
A conman has been jailed for tricking a trusting pensioner out of money, after his DNA was found on a teacup given to him to have a drink.
Joseph Varey is behind bars for two years, after fleecing the woman out of her savings.
Man fined for carrying out illegal building work
A man who illegally carried out building work to a bungalow and fitted electrical circuits which were found to be potentially dangerous, has been ordered to pay nearly £2,000.
Leicester City Council prosecuted 66 year old Mohindor...
Bogus roof and chimney repair men target residents
Bogus tradesmen targeted vulnerable, elderly residents in Southport over the Christmas holiday period.
In one incident an elderly woman was escorted from her home to a cash point by the men, when she was asked to hand over an undisclosed...
Welsh homeowners to improve rather than move
Homeowners in South Wales believe improving their home is better than moving, a new survey has found.
As reported by Wales Online, the current lack of movement in the South Wales housing market is likely to continue as 90 per cent of...
