Trading Standards - Council Impersonation: Roof Repairs

23rd October 2025

There have been recent reports of doorstep scammers who claim to work for or on behalf of the local council or housing association. They may ask to enter your property to carry out 'urgent' maintenance or repairs, or offer to carry out maintenance or repair work for a reduced cost.
In one recent case, a cold caller visited a couple in their 80s and said he was carrying out some work in the local area on behalf of the council and had noticed they had some loose tiles on their roof. He offered to repair them for £500, which the couple paid.

He then told them he had found further damage higher up on the roof, which would cost a further £900 to fix. After spending a couple of hours on the roof, he advised that the whole thing should be replaced, quoting a total cost of over £10,000.

The couple agreed to pay this, but the rogue trader left before completing the work, leaving them with a leaking and damaged roof.

Another couple were cold called by a trader who said his company had a contract with the local council to carry out roof surveys and 'roof coating and restoration' services. He told them the council would provide some funding for any work carried out.

The couple allowed him to go onto their roof, after which he quoted a price of almost £5,000 to fix damaged tiles and recoat the roof. However, he said this could be reduced to £2,000 once the council funding was approved.

The couple felt suspicious as they weren't provided with any paperwork to fill out to obtain council funding. They contacted the council, who confirmed that they were not working with the company in question.

How to Avoid
If someone knocks at your door and says they are working for or with the local council, ask them to wait and close the door while you phone the council to verify their identity. Genuine callers will be happy to wait while you do this.

Most councils will send letters to residents if they are going to be working in their area. They will only attend properties to carry out checks by pre-arranged appointment.

We asked a roofer who is part of Scotland's Approved Trader Directory to answer some frequently asked questions about roofing to help consumers make informed decisions and avoid scams.
Read the Q&A here: https://www.tsscot.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Roofing-QA.pdf

Rather than dealing with cold callers, find trusted traders to carry out work on your property:
TrustMark is the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme - businesses registered with them have been vetted to meet required standards and have made a commitment to good customer service:
www.trustmark.org.uk/find-a-tradesman

Businesses that are part of the CTSI's Approved Code scheme have been vetted and have a commitment to consumer protection and raising standards:
www.tradingstandards.uk/consumer-help/find-an-approved-code-business

Find members of trade associations such as the Federation of Master Builders via the Trade Association Forum:
www.taforum.org/membership/member-directory

Competent person schemes are a way for tradespeople to prove their ability to carry out certain work to required standards, instead of you applying for building regulations approval. Schemes have insurance-backed warranties and complaints procedures if there’s a problem with the work:
www.competentperson.co.uk

All of the businesses listed on the Buy With Confidence website have been fully checked and vetted by a local authority Trading Standards service:
www.buywithconfidence.gov.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
Police Scotland: www.scotland.police.uk/doorstep-crime-and-bogus-callers
Trading Standards Scotland: www.tsscot.co.uk/priority-areas/doorstep-scammers