Builder warns of bogus checks

Bruce Weston has a warning for people building and renovating: be aware of criminals eyeing up your property.
Mr Weston finished renovating his home and received his Code of Compliance from the council in July but yesterday he got a surprise visit from someone claiming to be from the council.
The man said he needed to do a final check on the site but Mr Weston, a builder by trade, knew something didn't add up.
The man had no identification displayed and when Mr Weston said he already had his certificate, the man changed his story.
"He back-tracked and said he needed to check our water meter," Mr Weston said.
His suspicions that something was not right were compounded by the fact that the building did not affect the water meter.
"I knew really that by the time you get your Code of Compliance certificate that was the end of it," he said.
"It sounded all very dodgy to me."
The man did not look as Mr Weston would expect a building inspector to but neither did he look suspicious.
"He didn't look overly dodgy ... he was reasonably articulate."
Mr Weston described him as being Caucasian, with dark curly hair and a moustache, aged in his early to mid 40s.
Tauranga City Council communications adviser Natalie Palmer confirmed the man was not from the council.
"[Building inspectors] will identify themselves," she said.
"All the building inspectors will hold a warrant card."
She said the card would not be on display but could be produced if asked and all building inspectors drove in vehicles identifiable by the words "Bay Inspections" on them.
Inspectors went to residences by appointment only, so would not turn up randomly as the man who arrived at Mr Weston's house had done.
Sergeant Tim Bonner of Tauranga police agreed it sounded unusual. He said this kind of thing happened quite often in some areas but not usually Mount Maunganui.
"Sometimes people will try their luck from property to property," he said. "It's not something that's regular."
He recommended people in Mr Weston's situation called the police so they could act on it as soon as possible.
"Just ask to see some ID," he said. "If you do get anything suspicious, phone us."
Mr Weston had a similar warning for residents who had strangers knocking.
"I would just say if someone knocks, check their ID before you open the door," he said. "Make sure they are who they say they are."
Mr Weston also said the Code of Compliance was the final stage of getting building work done.