{"id":63764,"date":"2024-08-08T10:00:58","date_gmt":"2024-08-08T09:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=63764"},"modified":"2024-08-08T10:21:46","modified_gmt":"2024-08-08T09:21:46","slug":"spray-foam-insulation-removal-scam-warning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/spray-foam-insulation-removal-scam-warning\/","title":{"rendered":"Spray Foam Insulation Removal Scam Warning\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Trading Standards is warning consumers to be wary of cold callers pressuring them to pay to have spray foam insultation removed \u2013 insulation that in many cases was only installed in the last couple of years.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The warning follows a recent increase in the number of complaints about the way these products and services are sold.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year Heart of the South West Trading Standards warned householders that some businesses were aggressively selling spray foam insulation, irrespective of whether it was suitable for the property or not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customers were being cold called, and often pressured into unnecessary work costing thousands of pounds.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now Trading Standards says that it has noticed a steep rise in complaints about cold callers offering to remove the insulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These companies often call consumers out of the blue, claiming that the insulation that was put in was incorrect and will cause problems with insurance, damp and future house sales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often the original company that installed the insulation will have \u2018disappeared\u2019 or stopped trading and the \u2018new\u2019 company will offer to come to the rescue and remove it – for a price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality these two companies are sometimes either one and the same or have close links and have passed on details of who to target. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While spray foam does lead to problems if applied incorrectly or on a property that isn\u2019t appropriate, it is important that consumers are aware that these new companies are not always legitimate.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rosie Rowe from Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cAlways be cautious if you are cold called or receive an unsolicited phone call about your insulation. Ask yourself how the caller can have known that you had this product in your loft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo your own research before agreeing to any further work and seek an independent expert opinion on whether it needs to be removed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has produced a consumer guide for spray foam, and their website allows you to search for a qualified, professional surveyor in your area.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The guide can be found on the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ (RICS) website. \u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be pressured into agreeing anything over the phone or on the doorstep,\u201d says Rosie.  \u201cIf you do decide that the insulation needs to be removed, check for membership of reputable trade associations or trader accreditation schemes like Trading Standards \u201cBuy with Confidence\u201d scheme.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n

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Councillor Rufus Gilbert, our Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Trading Standards service, said:<\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cOur concern is that some traders are trying to take advantage of people\u2019s legitimate concerns.\u00a0 They are exploiting elderly residents, parents, and anybody they think they can pressure or trick into handing over money under false pretences.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe advise that you don\u2019t engage with anyone at the door, and never invite a cold caller into your home and never respond to offers of home repair work you receive via text or phone.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you are thinking about installing energy-efficiency or anti-damp measures in your home or you are concerned that the measures you have had installed is damaging your home we always advise you get recommendations from friends and family, Trade Associations or from the Trading Standards run \u2018Buy with Confidence\u2019 approved trader scheme.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"placeholder\r\n
\r\n Councillor Rufus Gilbert, Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n\n

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