Local roofer ordered to pay £2,000 compensation
An Exeter roofer has been ordered to pay £2,000 compensation after carrying out work described by an expert building surveyor as being of an “exceptionally poor standard”.
Appearing at Exeter Magistrates Court this week, 42-year-old John Isaacs of J&H Roofing Services pleaded guilty to one offence under the ‘professional diligence’ requirements of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, in a prosecution brought by Devon & Somerset Trading Standards Service.
The court heard how Issacs’ victim, Mrs Rowlands, who lives in Exeter, contacted J&H Roofing Services after seeing their Yellow Pages advertisement offering customers “50 year life expectancy” and a “20 year guarantee”. During October and November 2011 Mr Issacs visited her property and replaced the fascia boards, installed new guttering and replaced the flat roofs of the porch and garage.
Mrs Rowlands was charged £2,200, but upon inspection was unhappy with some aspects of the work and held back £200. Further serious faults on the roof were subsequently discovered, but despite contacting him several times, Mr Issacs failed to respond to all attempts by Mrs Rowlands to get the matter rectified.
An expert building surveyor, who appeared as a witness for the County Council’s prosecution team, described the work as being “carried out by someone who clearly has very little knowledge of correct roofing procedure when laying a flat deck roof”.
Mr Isaacs was sentenced to an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to the victim.
Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “I find it appalling that a trader would breach the trust of a consumer in such a way, and ignore their pleas to come and correct their shoddy work.
“This case shows that dishonest trading activity will not be tolerated in Devon and through our Trading Standards team we will continue do all we can to protect our residents and legitimate local businesses from such damaging practices.”
“The importance of using recognised, suitably qualified and accredited tradesmen can not be underestimated, and I would urge anyone who is looking for a trader, whether it be a roofer, plumber or a car mechanic to visit our ‘Buy With Confidence’ scheme website for Trading Standards approved traders in their area.”
Devon and Somerset Trading Standards approved businesses, including roofers and building contractors, can be found via the ‘Buy With Confidence’ scheme website at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
Consumers can get advice on a range of consumer issues by calling Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 and by logging on to the Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service website at www.devon.gov.uk/tradingstandards
