Trading Standards - Doorstep Scams: Driveways

20th February 2025

There's been a recent increase in rogue traders who visit properties and offer to clean or repair driveways. One man was visited by cold callers on three occasions and eventually felt pressured into agreeing to pay them to clean his front and rear driveways.

The scammers aimed a pressure washer at the drive for around twenty minutes, leaving a huge mess in neighbouring gardens. They then presented him with a bill for over £350, which he felt that he had to pay due to their aggressive manner.

There have also been reports of cold callers who say they are carrying out roadworks nearby. They ask if the homeowner would like their driveway or part of roads to their property resurfaced, saying they can start work straight away and offer materials at a discounted price.

How to Avoid
Any unsolicited trader who offers to carry out work on your property must give you their business name and address.
Don't agree to let a cold caller start work straight away - do plenty of research into their company and, if something doesn't look right, don't deal with them.

If a trader starts work on your property without being authorised and then demands payment, report them to Police Scotland.

Rather than dealing with cold callers, find traders who have been vetted through a national or local authority approved trader scheme at approvedtrader.scot

Rogue traders often imply that a special deal is available and time-sensitive in order to pressure householders into making a decision quickly. Always take time to think before making a decision - don't agree to make any payments for goods or services on the spot.

Sign up for Neighbourhood Watch Scotland Alerts to stay up to date with what is going on in your community: www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk

Report any suspicious behaviour to Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Report scams to Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or via scamwatch.scot.

Find Out More
Find traders in Scotland who have been vetted by Trading Standards: approvedtrader.scot
Police Scotland: www.scotland.police.uk/doorstep-crime-and-bogus-callers
Trading Standards Scotland: www.tsscot.co.uk/priority-areas/doorstep-scammers