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The warning has come from Councillor Paul Moore, Cabinet member for trading standards.
It follows a spate of calls from concerned residents over the number of "cold callers" they were getting at their homes.
Councillor Moore said: "We are concerned about potentially illegal practices including false representations, unreasonable charges and unfinished poor quality work.
“It has been known for rogue traders to befriend their victims into parting with large sums of cash.
"I urge residents not to agree to anything on the doorstep and to keep a particular eye on elderly and vulnerable neighbours who may be having work done.
"They should report any suspicious activity to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0845 04 05 06.”
Sandwell Trading Standards manager Bob Charnley said: "The common types of scams we often see include: offering to replace a tile or slate on the roof, but then saying that water is getting into the roof and needs replacing urgently.
"Giving a cheap price to clear the garden, but then charging much more for ‘extra’ work carried out.
"Stating that they are working in the area and have a load of tarmac left over which will go off if it isn’t used, and stating that they will replace rotten wooden soffits, fascia boards and guttering but using cheap plastic to cover the problem instead.”
Mr Charnley said instead of agreeing to work on the doorstep, residents are adviced is to use the Tradewell in Sandwell Scheme.
Consumers who are searching for a gardener, roofer or similar home improvement tradesman can search the register themselves on the Internet, or ring trading standards who will carry out the search for them.
The scheme is not designed to approve tradesman, but all traders joining the scheme agree to abide by the schemes Code of Practice.
Councillor Moore added:“Traders on this scheme have shown their commitment to treating consumers with care and respect, they will not go round knocking on doors looking for work. Successful businesses don’t need to.
"I would urge homeowners who are thinking of getting any work carried out on their home or garden to use a trader off our scheme.”
Consumers can search the ‘Tradewell in Sandwell’ register by visiting www.traderregister.org.uk or have a search carried out for them by ringing 0845 359 7522.