A builder on your property without permission
The short answer: if crews you did not hire are working on your property — the "we were told to" or damage-then-offer pattern — it is a police matter first (101; 999 if threatening) and a Trading Standards report second. Photograph everything; agree nothing on the doorstep.
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-03
The immediate steps
1. Safety first — do not physically confront; go inside, lock doors, call 101 (999 if anyone is threatened). 2. Photograph from windows — people, vehicles, registration plates, work already done. 3. Nothing on the doorstep — no payments, no "thanks for tidying that up", no signatures. Anything you accept can become a disputed contract. 4. Report — police non-emergency + the Citizens Advice consumer service so it reaches Trading Standards. Doorstep crews work whole streets; patterns trigger action.
If they "finished" work you never ordered
You owe nothing for unrequested work in these circumstances — but put it in writing immediately ("I did not contract for this work; remove any claim"), take dated photographs, and take advice before touching any invoice. See reporting a builder.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Verified 2026-09-03.
Preparing a claim? EvidenceCanvas (Casewright) helps you organise your evidence and draft pre-action documents for the small claims track. It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.
Reviewed by Sean McNamara · 2026-09-03 · Independent information directory — not legal advice.