Green tax encourages trade cowboys
Trade cowboys or rogue traders will offer a way around the new green tax on home improvements, warns an industry expert.
The new green tax on home improvements has come with a warning that dodgy trades people will take advantage of those looking to save money on eco renovations.
Under the government’s new scheme homeowners wanting to add things such as a conservatory, new boiler or even windows to their property will first have to make eco improvements.
But there are fears this will encourage homeowners to take up trade cowboys to avoid the extra costs.
“In my experience cowboy builders and rogue traders will seize any opportunity to make a fast buck,” Kevin Byrne, managing director of Checkatrade said.
“Many are clever enough to manipulate situations like this and will attempt to worm their way into jobs by offering work on the cheap.”
Reputable trades people are already negatively affected by the green tax with homeowners putting off renovations due to the extra costs.
Cowboy traders will make the situation worse for those operating within the law creating a challenge to secure work.
“They may be tempted to take cash-in-hand jobs out of sheer desperation and it could be the final nail in the coffin of many businesses already under pressure because of the VAT increase,” he said.
Mr Byrne is encouraging homeowners to stay away from trade cowboys and help out the reputable people who are already struggling to keep businesses afloat.
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Tags:
- home improvement ,
- home renovation ,
- tax
