Each year the Police receive complaints from residents who are out-of-pocket after workmen have vanished without completing work or leaving work badly finished.

Many of the workmen demanded a large amount of cash before the work was completed. The victim has no way of tracing them onece they have left.

• Use well known companies; preferably one recommended by a friend, neighbour or relative.
• Do not deal with callers to your door; if you do, then ask them for a fixed line telephone number, not a mobile one (mobile nos. begin with 07) and say you will call them if you do decide to use them. This will give a better change for tracing them if you do have a problem..
• Ask where they advertise and confirm that the details they give you are genuine.
• Ask for references of satisfied customers whom you can contact.
• DO NOT PAY in advance no matter how much they may try and persuede you, and always pay by cheque. Genuine workers will be happy for you to do this.
• Always ask for a written quotation, NOT an estimate. Estimates frequently rise to astronomical amounts!