Watch out for dodgy handymen in your neighbourhood over holidays
Posted by editor (editor) on Dec 16 2009
2009 >>

Home owners wanting to spruce up their house over the holidays should be wary of dodgy Mr fix-its knocking on their door, says Fair Trading Minister Peter Lawlor.

Mr Lawlor said travelling tradies were in force around Queensland over Christmas and New Years offering one-stop services from house painting and roof restoration to the laying of driveways.

“It is known that groups of families living in mobile homes to go from town to town, staying at caravan parks, and canvassing the local neighbourhood for trade jobs at this time of year,” he said.

“It might be tempting for many who have time off over the holidays to get work done around the house while they’re home, especially if it’s being offered cheaply and on the spot.

“Be wary however as these guys aren’t known for their quality service or workmanship and many are just out to make a quick buck.”

Mr Lawlor said itinerant tradespeople usually demanded cash up front and had even been known to take elderly people down to ATMs to get their money.

“Their work is usually shoddy too, leaving you with the cost of hiring someone else to fix up the mess you have been left," he said.

“For example, previous door-to-door traders have used watered down paint or not prepared the surface properly resulting in the paint quickly peeling and cracking.”

Other door-to-door traders have laid bitumen too thinly on poorly prepared ground, leaving the property owners with the costs of removing the bitumen and having their driveways re-done.

Mr Lawlor said such rogue traders often used ploys such as pretending to have leftover bitumen from a previous job or pointing out faults in the resident’s house that needed attention.

He urged people to undertake the proper checks before getting work done.

“If the costs of the goods or services are over $75, you are entitled to a ten day cooling off period and in this time, door to door traders cannot take payments, including deposits, or start work,” Mr Lawlor said.

Mr Lawlor said added traders should produce ID, provide a contract, which includes information about the 10 day cooling off period, and a proper receipt with the trader’s name and address on it.

“Door to door traders can only contact you between 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and 9am and 5pm on Saturdays,” he said.

Mr Lawlor said people approached for unwanted work should firmly decline and shut the door.

Fines of up to $54,000 apply to individuals and $270,000 to companies for breaches of the Fair Trading Act .

If you have any concerns or suspicions about a door-to-door trader visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or contact the Office of Fair Trading on 131 304.

Last changed: Jan 07 2010 at 2:07 PM