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# Rogue traders target Ipswich homeowners with roofing scam
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/rogue-traders-target-ipswich-homeowners-with-roofing-scam/
- Published: 2025-02-21T08:20:24.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:20:31.000Z
- Description: Cold callers in Ipswich are offering cheap roofing repairs before dramatically increasing prices, with one resident in the Dales Road area already approached.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Scams & Consumer Safety, #article, Suffolk Trading Standards, #Import 2026-03-16 14:45

**Why it matters:** Vulnerable residents could be pressured into paying for unnecessary and overpriced work, with scammers currently active in the area.

**The details:** A trader calling himself "Bill" approached a homeowner in the Dales Road area on Friday, claiming to have spotted brick damage to their chimney.

- Initially offering repairs for £20, the tradesman used a ladder to access the roof and photograph the chimney
- Upon return, he claimed the damage was worse than expected and increased the price to £850
- The resident refused and the trader left

![Cold callers in Ipswich are offering cheap roofing repairs before dramatically increasing prices](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1740125994-roof-scam-1.png)

Cold callers in Ipswich are offering cheap roofing repairs before dramatically increasing prices

**What to do:** Suffolk Trading Standards advises residents to:

- Never agree to work from cold callers
- Avoid being pressured into immediate decisions
- Get quotes from 2-3 traders for any home repairs
- Ask friends and family for recommendations or check Suffolk Trusted Trader
- Request the full name and address of traders before considering their services
- Get written quotations before work begins
- Only pay once work is satisfactorily completed and avoid cash payments

**Report concerns:** All doorstep callers should be reported to Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

**The bottom line:** Suffolk residents can request free "No Cold Calling" stickers by emailing [trading.standards@suffolk.gov.uk](mailto:trading.standards@suffolk.gov.uk) with their address.

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