Just a quick warning about a scam happening in Reading.
An elderly man approached me, claiming he was working for my neighbor, and offered to clean my gutters for £40. I agreed. Shortly after, another guy came up claiming I had a major leak, with water pouring down and suggesting that my timber was rotting. He then offered to seal everything for £320, assuring me of a 3-year guarantee. As a first-time homeowner of just three months, I was uncertain and said I’d need to consult my partner first. I asked for a business card and was handed a flimsy paper with a generic company name that doesn’t appear to exist.
When I returned after a quick call with my partner, they claimed to have already done the work. I later found out my neighbor was addressing their own gutter issues, and I mistakenly assumed they were working together and trusted them.
My lodger tried to step in, explaining that we hadn’t agreed to the work, but things got heated, and I ended up paying to avoid further conflict. After further research and talking to people, it looks like I fell for a classic scam, likely by traveling con artists. My front porch is now a muddy mess, and I’m not even sure they actually cleaned my gutters.
TL;DR: Just a heads up to be cautious and not make the same mistake I did—these scammers seem to be cruising around.
I’m so sorry to hear that you had to go through such a frustrating experience! It’s really unfortunate how these scams can target unsuspecting homeowners, especially those who are new to it all. It’s great that you’re sharing your story to warn others. Definitely a lesson learned about getting everything in writing and checking for legitimate references before agreeing to any work. If you haven’t already, it might be a good idea to report them to the local authorities or consumer protection agency—they might be able to take action against those scammers. I hope your porch gets cleaned up soon and that your next experiences with home repairs are much more positive!