HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned to beware of cowboy builders who knock on doors offering to carry out work.
Council officers in Hartlepool are keen to prevent a repeat of last year when they were left with a £10,000 bill to clean up tonnes of concrete and other rubbish after it was dumped on land at the junction of Belle Vue Way and Brenda Road in the town. The rubble was believed to be the result block-paved driveways at up to 50 properties.
A spokesman from Hartlepool Borough Council said: "We would urge householders to think very carefully before agreeing to have work done, particularly block-paving on their driveways, if they receive unsolicited approaches. If anyone receives such an approach, they should always ask to see a registration certificate before agreeing to anything.
"These certificates are issued by the Environment Agency and anyone transporting waste must have one by law.
"Householders should also seek assurances that tradesmen knocking on their doors come from reputable companies, as work carried out can often fail to reach the required standards and people can find themselves left seriously out of pocket.
"We are not saying everyone who makes an unsolicited approach for business should not be trusted, but we would urge householders to exercise caution."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article