West Berkshire, Bracknell Forest and Wokingham councils warn of rogue traders operating following Storm Eunice damage

Potential rogue traders could be operating in the West Berkshire area following Storm Eunice damage, councils warn.

The Bracknell Forest, West Berkshire and Wokingham Public Protection Partnership has warned residents and offered advice about dodgy dealers offering to fix fencing, guttering and roofing at inflated prices following Eunice.

The advice reads: “Rogue traders may cold call with such tactics as saying they’re already ‘working in the area’.

“The PPP trading standards team are reminding residents to be wary when approached in this way.

“Often genuine traders are booked up many weeks or months in advance so be wary of those cold calling looking for business who can start straight away.

“Always get recommendations of traders from your friends and family, or via trader approval schemes, and never feel pressured into agreeing for the work to be done there and then.

“You could end up paying far too much for the work or paying for work that doesn’t need doing at all.”

Bracknell Forest Council’s chairman of the joint public protection committee, John Harrison (Con, Binfield with Warfield), said: “Residents should not feel pressured to agree for any type of work to be done on their home after an unsolicited knock at the door. It’s okay to say ‘no’.

“Please also be wary of recommendations from unverified sources.

“It is often best to check with people you know who’ve used traders and not just names on a social media platform. Many platforms have verification processes for this.

“Finally if you are looking to make an insurance claim it is important to engage your insurance company before agreeing to any work.”

If you are concerned you may have been contacted by a rogue trader, contact the trading standards team on (01635) 519930 or email tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk