DODGY tradespeople have ripped off an Applecross woman for thousands of dollars, according to her complaint to the WA commerce department.

The woman, who doesn’t want to be named, says the smooth-talking tradies had talked her into paying cash for what turned out to be sub-standard roof restoration and driveway maintenance.

They didn’t give her a receipt and she later discovered the business On The Roof Restorations has no ABN.

“They were too slick,” the woman says. “The business name wasn’t even on the pamphlet they gave me.

“They caught me at a time when our driveway was full of weeds and I agreed to the work without really thinking.”

The pamphlet’s heading reads “all new roofing and driveway maintenance” and comes with a promise the business is ABN registered. A man who answered the Herald’s call said to call his boss, Neil Cash, later in the day. When we called again a man who said his name was Graham claimed to have no idea what the Herald was talking about.

Asked if someone had his phone that morning, he said: “No, no, no, no-one has had my phone.” Follow-up calls rang out or were hung up on after questions about the ABN.

WA acting commissioner for consumer protection David Hillyard warns residents against caving in to door-to-door deals which seem too good to be true.

“Consumers need to get several quotes from reputable tradespeople before agreeing to the work being carried out and handing over any money,” he says. “Asking to see details of a contractor’s licence and independently verifying it before agreeing to any major building or painting work on your property is the vital first step towards protecting yourself from dodgy dealers.”

To report dodgy traders, email consumer@commerce.wa.gov.au or call 1300 30 40 54.

by EMMIE DOWLING