Rogue builders are exploiting elderly and vulnerable residents in Merton by offering cheap repairs and then doing a shoddy job according to Merton Council.

Residents are being warned by Merton Council to be wary of cowboy builders who use cold calling tactics to get their work.

Cllr Ross Garrod, Cabinet Member for Street Cleanliness and Parking, said: “We’ve had some real horror stories, and if it sounds too good to be true it most probably is.”

Horror stories highlighted by Merton Council’s trading standards team include:

• A resident agreeing to have a drain pipe replaced for £180 after which builders began working on other ‘repairs’ and asked him to sign a £45,000 building contract the following day.

• Mr ‘B’ ended up paying £47,000 for what were initially minor roof repairs.

• An elderly lady agreed to have moss removed from her roof after which the builder deliberately removed tiles from her kitchen and conservatory saying replacement tiles and other ‘associated’ works would cost £16,000

• Two residents asked to pay £26,000 and £45,000 respectively after minor repairs escalated into larger jobs they didn’t originally asked for.

Signs that you might be dealing with a rogue builder include: work starting before an agreement is reached, no documentation, the job cost rising beyond what was originally agreed, poor work, and traders becoming aggressive and intimidating.

Cllr Garrod added: “If in doubt, ring our trading standards team who will try and arrange to be there next time the builder calls to find out what is going on.”

If you are concerned about an agreement you have entered into with a trader to have work done on your house or garden, phone the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.

If you feel intimidated or frightened by a trader you should dial 999.