Claims Advice Line

First, it was solar Panel mis-selling; now, it seems that mis-selling complaints centred around Spray Foam Insulation are rising.

An article published by Trading Standards in 2017 had already begun to highlight mis-selling tactics by Spray Foam Insulation companies.

"The latest rash of consumer complaints sees consumers telephoned and offered a type of insulation called 'spray foam'. Once they have agreed to a home visit from the companies, a survey is conducted almost immediately and contracts drawn up there and then. This doesn't allow homeowners the time to make a considered decision as to whether the product is right for them and the main complaint we have received is that companies are not allowing them to cancel within their statutory 14 day cooling off period."

High-pressure sales tactics and mis-selling are commonplace within the Spary Foam insulation industry. As a result, consumers are pressured into making immediate decisions, making on-the-day payments on signing loan agreements that are often well above the national cost for Spray Foam Insulation.

Reviews from customers that agreed to a home visit highlight just a few of the techniques used by the salespeople.

"AVOID..The sales tactics this company employ are outdated. I've had a background in sales so I'm aware. Anyway- Had a guy come round, (nice guy) but the presentation goes on for a while. First thing I was asked "is your wife here today" why? I replied. Answer I got was "it's company policy to have both decision makers present for the sitting" He then pitched about the "Home advocate subsidy" saying we'd get up to £1500 off if we participated in their marketing and that the subsidy is only for a particular post-code. This is the urgency tactic but he presented it very well. To the untrained person you could fall for it. Anyway two quotes presented after 90 or so minutes. First quote was a 12 month no obligation quote-£4995. Second quote was with the home advocate subsidy. For this Id a quote of £3700 but this was on the condition that I went ahead today with it. When we said we'd need to think about it, he called his boss (1980s double glazing sales tactic) and put him on loud speaker and the price dropped to £2550 on the condition we went ahead today with it. Since then I've read other reviews saying that you could potentially be refused a mortgage if you've had it done. This is on the basis that a surveyor won't be able to see the general condition of the roof if spray foam is applied and also other issue of the condensation, where does it go when it passes through the open cell spray foam IF there is NO breathable felt. Simple-it goes lodged between the spray foam and felt. In my opinion this is the next PPI scandal."

"We have been thinking about getting our loft done. Me and my husband wanted to take advantage of the £1500 Grant which was advertised as a promotional offer when in fact it is a government grant! They started off high at £5200 and then they did the standard sales tactic... "I will ring the boss" and then suddenly it is reduced to around £3500. We paid a deposit of £1070 by card And book at date for just over two weeks time. They wanted to come next week, busy then. The next day we started thinking about the foam installation and then after making phone calls and looking at this website to see the reviews, which lead us then to email straight away to cancel. Then had an email to say they will send a cheque in the post it will 2-3 weeks. I the email to say" I want my deposit paid back by bacs as our bank is not local!! They can't do this! Warning they don't tell you this when you make a deposit and if they had we won't not have done it. Disgusting company they should not be allowed to sell. Please beware!"

In light of these complaints about the mis-selling of Spray Foam Insulation and Mortgage companies now rejecting loans, re-mortgaging and equity release, it is becoming apparant that the full facts regarding the potential implications of having Spray Foam Insulation installed are not being highlighted by salespeople. And in some cases, the facts are being hidden.

• If you paid by Credit Card or Finance for your Spray Foam Insulation, and feel that you were mis-sold or were not given the full facts, give us a call.
  
• Did you know that having your Spray Foam insulation removed can often cost more than the installation?
  
• Spray Foam Insulation can cause rotting of your timbers.
  
• Did you know that "According to an investigation by Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) and Property Care Association (PCA), said that it had "failed to identify any circumstances" where a roof with this insulation could be given a "clean bill of health".