Bromley Trading Standards is warning residents not to be pressured into accepting spray foam insulation work from cold callers as doing so can risk being overcharged and experiencing substandard work.
The warning follows concerns of spray foam insulation scams also outlined in the media. Traders have been selling insulation to residents, irrespective of its suitability, using scare tactics to persuade people to agree to the works or even to have their insulation removed.
Spray foam insulation scams typically start with a cold phone call to persuade the resident to have a sales visit in their home. The charge for insulation installed this way can be over the odds with the additional risk of poor fitting, leading to issues that could affect the condition of the property and even potential resale.
Residents may also be approached about removal of existing insulation with wild claims that it is dangerous. In some cases, a new company would have come to remove the insulation installed by the first company, with both companies probably working together.
Protect yourself:
If you receive any unsolicited call about loft insulation, or any other service, the official Trading Standards advice is to hang up. Similarly, if you receive an unsolicited knock on the door, or if someone arrives for an appointment that you were pressured into – say "no". Please don’t deal at the door.
Tell someone about the phone call or visit – even if you are encouraged to keep the appointment a secret, talk to someone you trust.
Even if you agree to work, remember you are legally entitled to a 14-day cooling off period during which time you can cancel. You must be provided with written documentation in relation to this.
If any insulation work is needed, thorough research on spray foam insulation and its impacts is essential. Please see the following links for more information on spray foam insulation.
- The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) provides a comprehensive consumer guide on spray foam insulation on their website.
- The Which? website has an article on spray foam insulation, with information ranging from the different types of spray foam and how much they cost, to the drawbacks and whether spray foam insulation is right for your home.
Report and information
Protect yourself and others by reporting incidents
Contact Citizens Advice for help and advice on 0808 223 1133 or on the Citizens Advice website.
Find a reputable trader with Trading Standards Checked.
You can also visit the scams page on the council website for more information.
Bromley Trading Standards
To keep up with the latest scam alerts and warnings from Bromley Trading Standards sign up on www.bromley.gov.uk/TradingStandardsAlertSignUpForm.
Bromley Trading Standards also runs a fair-trader directory to help you find a safe, reliable trader that you can trust, visit www.bromley.gov.uk/tradingstandardschecked to learn more.