A new initiative has been launched in Aberdeenshire to support legitimate businesses and empower consumers to make safe, informed choices – with it initially focussing on roofing firms.
Aberdeenshire Council explained that there has been a ‘sharp rise’ in complaints regarding roofing firms, particularly after Storm Arwen. In just one year, complaints more than doubled – reaching 93 in 2024 and resulting in ‘significant’ financial losses.
The protecting our community initiative will see Trading Standards actively engage with local businesses. Officers will check business addresses and contact details, as well as review paperwork and assess whether companies are following the law.
Aberdeenshire Council said that this hands-on approach helps ensure transparency and encourages businesses to meet proper legal and ethical standards.
Businesses which refuse to cooperate, use false or unverified information, or which fail to resolve legal breaches will be listed in a ‘directory of non-compliant businesses’, it added. This directory will be made available to the public, giving consumers clear, accessible information to help them avoid potential risks when choosing who to hire or buy from.
Senior Trading Standards officer, Vanessa Wilson, said, “Doorstep callers tend to target elderly and vulnerable residents, but what we’re seeing increasingly is that everyone can be susceptible to these rogue traders. Those offering roofing services in particular are using social media, professional-looking websites and some trader platforms to gain work.
“Common tactics used include offering cheap or fast roofing repairs or maintenance – particularly after winter weather and storms – suggesting they have seen problems such as missing or damaged roof tiles or blocked gutters. In addition to these tactics, residents are then often coerced into paying money upfront for repairs that aren’t even required, sometimes for work never undertaken or in many cases starting work within the cooling off period without authorisation.”
Last year, following media reports of rogue roofing businesses operating across Aberdeenshire, Trading Standards opened investigations and spoke with several residents who spoke of being duped into costly repair work being undertaken.
Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee, councillor Alan Turner, added, “While we have hundreds of dedicated traders working tirelessly and honestly across the region, we have to acknowledge that rogue doorstep trading does remain a serious issue. Our Trading Standards team continues to work hard to safeguard our communities from cold-callers and doorstep crime and strives to promote good, reliable services within the local business sector. I very much hope that residents take heed of our advice and I would encourage them to take full advantage of the Aberdeenshire Trusted Trader initiative which demonstrates to customers that these businesses have been vetted and are a trustworthy operator.”
