The JVS Show

1. SAY NO!

2. In the event that they start carrying out work on your property without your express permission, then ask them to stop. They are causing malicious damage to your property and this is a criminal not a civil offence. If they don’t stop, call the Police on 999.

3. If you are unable to get rid of the trader at your door and you feel too embarrassed to ask him to leave, tell him that the property belongs to someone else, perhaps another family member who needs to be consulted or maybe your ‘landlord’.

4. Never pay for any work in cash on the day. Legitimate traders will be happy to receive payment by cheque in due course. With cash, remember you have little or no comeback when things go wrong.

Download your sign

5. Remember that ‘Warranties’ are often of little use when your ‘tradesman’ is someone who leaves the area as soon as the job is done.

6. However plausible the trader appears to be, do check them out. Call the office land line, confirm the credentials with your local trading standards office.

Just say "NO!"

7. If you do need to have work carried out on your property you should choose the contractor yourself. Personal recommendation from those you trust is often a good way to find a reliable trader. Contact your local Trading Standards office; they may have a list of approved contractors.

Use the following link to download a sign to display by your front door and if the ‘Cold Calling’ Traders can’t read it, you could always read it for them, especially the word NO!