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The 'rogue' trader charged the homeowner more than £15,000

A "rogue" trader roofer has been jailed after scamming an Essex homeowner out of thousands of pounds. Nathan Lee, trading as Best Rated Roofers, based in Pattiswick, Braintree, admitted carrying out unnecessary and overpriced roofing work which left a vulnerable customer "significantly out of pocket", according to Essex County Council.

This followed a four-year investigation by Essex Trading Standards. The investigation was started after a complaint was received concerning work carried out at a residential property in Essex.

Lee approached the homeowner and warned urgent repairs were needed to their roof. The consumer agreed to the work and was subsequently charged thousands of pounds.

Further work was suggested and carried out, with the total cost reaching £17,800. However, an independent expert later concluded it should have cost less than £7,000 if undertaken properly by a competent contractor.

A survey found that some of the work was substandard, overpriced, and in some cases, unnecessary. It was also identified that claims about the condition of the property had been exaggerated to justify further charges.

During the investigation, Lee continued to contact the homeowner and attended their property uninvited. He sat outside when asked to leave, causing distress and concern.

Lee also lied to the victim, stating that the entire roof needed replacing for £20,000 when the expert revealed it didn’t. The resident was forced to spend a further £17,798 to get Lee’s "substandard" work rectified, the council stated.

It was also revealed that the trader committed these practices whilst on licence for previous crimes. Lee had previously spent time in jail for following the exact same practice to vulnerable consumers in West Sussex.

Lee pleaded guilty to making false representations contrary to Section 1 and 2 of the Fraud Act 2006. On Wednesday, July 1, he was sentenced to 44 months in custody at Chelmsford Crown Court.

A Criminal Behaviour Order was granted indefinitely, preventing him from approaching or entering properties for the purpose of offering roofing work. It also bans him requiring payment in advance of agreed work of more than 25 per cent of the total sum quoted.

Restraining orders were made preventing Lee from having direct or indirect contact with his victims for 10 years.

Councillor Chris Hossack, Cabinet Member for Residents and Community Services with responsibility for Essex Trading Standards, said: “This case highlights the serious harm caused by rogue traders who exploit homeowners by carrying out unnecessary or poor-quality work at vastly inflated prices.

“Residents should be cautious of unsolicited approaches and always seek multiple quotes from reputable traders before agreeing to work.”