Forum Topic

Steam cleaning scam on garden paving

Beware two white Irishmen in blue t-shirts in grey van marked Steam Cleaning, but no address or phone numbers on it, operating today in Bedford Park area, didn't catch full registration but includes 06 year. Offering to clean the path for £5/sq foot - sounds cheap but even a short path or small paved garden will quickly add up. Then comes the killer line - 'you need to regrout we can do that as well - no need to pay until it's all done'. When I challenged them he offered to show me his passport! Paid them off quickly to get rid of them. If they come to you, claiming to be working on a neighbour's place, send them away. Website drivewaydoctor.com (found randomly) suggests this is a common scam.

Simon Montague ● 283d13 Comments

They say they are working on a Neighbour's place or nearby so justsay you are renting and they will stop calling.

Janice Evans ● 278d

Sounds like the same Irish boy who rang my doorbell. I couldn't understand a word he said, and he went to speak to his father. The next minute his father wheeled a steam cleaner up the path. I sent him away immediately. I have a policy of refusing to do business with anyone who comes to the door. They're highly likely to rip you off. They have degrees in consumer psychology, and are often supremely manipulative. As a senior citizen, I'm an obvious target for them.

Robert Fish ● 280d

"Two Irish men also took me for £700 - claiming local work in a nearby road - promised  to treat and seal damp brickwork on an exterior wall with plants exposed in the path of the spray wash. They quoted a low reasonable price but constantly made excuses to increase the price". I really do not understand how anyone can give £700.00 to anybody based on spurious claims and vague promises. Makes no sense at all.

Brian Coyle ● 280d

My doorbell was rung by a 12-year old Irish lad, with same story that his dad and uncle were working just round the corner

Davey Harris ● 281d

Speaking with a friend of mine who owns a 'soft cleaning' washing company and he tells me that pressure washers should never be used on the average tessilated or tiled garden path as the washer can 'undermine' the tiles leading to a need for regrouting or even relaying. He has never seen 'steam' cleaning on paths used successfully. Better to use a plant- safe cleaner gently brushed on and then simply rinsed ofwith either a regular garden hose or a washer on its MINIMUM pressure setting.

N V Brooks ● 281d

If you do need a such work done it is always wise to check out recommendations on the local Facebook group and never, ever employ anyone who comes knocking on your door. I guess we are really fortunate in Ealing in that we have a number of established businesses, both large and sole traders, who deliver consistently high standards of service. The best forum to look for these is Ealing and Northfields friends where poor service is jumped on from a great height but good service is consistently commented upon positively.

N V Brooks ● 281d

Occasionally these outfits employ "slaves" to do the hard work.Well ... that's my experience some years ago.

Jim Lawes ● 281d

Two Irish men also took me for £700 - claiming local work in a nearby road - promised  to treat and seal damp brickwork on an exterior wall with plants  exposed in the path of the spray wash. They quoted a low reasonable price  but  constantly made excuses to increase the price. They came in a large black or grey van claiming to use a 'safe' sealant. On checking this product on the net it appeared to be toxic to plants. The Irish guys had claimed it was safe. There was, at the time, no way to check but  two weeks later there appeared to be no damage to plants. I suspect they were simply using a jet wash. They had an Ealing/Greenford address and a leaflet purporting to show images of their work on roofs and paving. They wanted payment immediately straight to their credit card. Much charm but don't go near them - get details and report to trading standards office and if possible get evidence and report to the police (good luck with that).

michael john barnes ● 281d

I’ve reported them to local police but fact that they have a deceitfully dressed van suggests this is an established, dodgy and non-tax paying ‘business’.

Simon Montague ● 281d

Spotted  them this weekend on Elliott Road..only just connected it with the thread.  Thought they looked suspicious.

Jackie Elton ● 281d

Yeah, they cleaned my oven last year and seem very versatile.

Susan Kelly ● 282d

I agree Richard. I had my hedges cut a couple of weeks ago and they did a great job and were quick too. To have the cuttings taken away, it’s another £50. Thanks again Keith for the the great recommendation!

Georgina Flint ● 282d

My advice to you is to contact Fantastic Services which do so offer such great of services  +44 20 7846 2445  Simply ring them up tell them what you require to be done and they will get back to you. I  used them recently and requested them to cut the top and both sides of my very tall hedge for the sum of £75.

Richard Atterwill ● 282d