OFFICERS at St Helens Council's Trading Standards department have issued a warning about bogus builders following complaints of expensive but shoddy workmanship.

The warning comes after Collins Roofing, an established business based in Jackson Street, St Helens, contacted the Star after receiving a number of complaints from disgruntled customers claiming the firm had conned them into handing over cash for unnecessary work.

Cheryl Collins, who runs Collins Roofing with husband Mike, said: "A pensioner contacted me to ask for her money back, saying that we had taken £500 from her but not done any work on her roof.

"We didn't know anything about it and when I asked her a few more questions, she said a couple of men in a white transit van with a name on the side very similar to ours had called at her house unannounced and told her she needed the work doing. But we don't use white transit vans and the so-called firm's address was different to ours.

"However, the fact that people are getting us confused is very annoying because we pride ourselves on quality workmanship and it could prove really bad for business."

Terry Gregson, Principal Trading Standards officer in St Helens, said: "We are receiving an increasing number of complaints about roving builders who turn up unannounced on the doorstep. They often use similar trading names as established local firms but their work is often shoddy and expensive. When customers try to complain, they are unable to contact the so-called builders. We would advise householders to NEVER agree to have work done by someone calling without an appointment and never to hand over cash to this type of trader.

"If you do wish to have work done, get quotations from a number of established builders who are either recommended by a friend or belong to a bona fide trade organisation."

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