Good to know
Emergency repair scams: 7 warning signs
Door slammed shut, water leak: urgency pushes you to call the first number you find. That is exactly what rogue traders count on. Seven simple checks are enough to rule them out, even at 11 pm.
- Price quoted = price paid
- Itemised invoice for your insurer
- Emergency: on site within 2 hours, anywhere in Luxembourg
1. No price before the call-out
A professional can give you a price, or at least a precise range, as soon as you describe the problem. “We'll see when we get there” is the first warning sign.
Ask for the price to be confirmed by SMS or WhatsApp. A written record changes everything in a dispute.
2. A company you can't identify
A Luxembourg company has a number in the Trade and Companies Register (RCS). You can check it for free on Luxembourg Business Registers (LBR).
Be wary of websites with no address, no company name, or just a mobile number and a generic logo.
3. Damage or replacement suggested straight away
A door that has only slammed shut can almost always be opened without touching the cylinder. A blocked sink gets cleared before anyone talks about new pipes.
If the technician wants to replace things immediately, ask why the simple option won't work. A good answer is concrete and checkable.
4. A price that changes once work has started
If the real problem is different, the new price must be given before going further. A price that grows without your agreement is not acceptable.
5. Cash only, no invoice
Ask for an itemised invoice showing the company name, RCS number, work done, parts fitted and VAT. Without it, you have no basis for a complaint or an insurance claim.
6. Pressure and invented urgency
A professional explains; they don't push. For anything other than immediate securing, you are entitled to a second opinion.
- “If we don't replace everything tonight, it's dangerous.”
- “This price only stands if you sign now.”
- “Your insurance will pay for everything anyway.”
7. What to do if it has already happened
- Keep every record: calls, messages, invoice, photos.
- Dispute the charge in writing with the company.
- Get advice from the Union luxembourgeoise des consommateurs (ULC).
- Refer the case to the Service national du Médiateur de la consommation, free for consumers.
- In case of threats or fraud, file a complaint with the Grand Ducal Police.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check an RCS number in Luxembourg?
On the Luxembourg Business Registers (LBR) website, searching by name or number is free. Ours is B296585, registered to Help Depanne Services S.à r.l.
Can I refuse the job once the technician has arrived?
Yes. If the price given on site differs from what was agreed on the phone, you can say no. At most, travel costs announced in advance may be due.
Is a very low headline price suspicious?
Not necessarily, but ask what it includes: travel, labour, night surcharge, parts. A price without a clear scope isn't really a price.
What if I've already paid an excessive invoice?
Gather evidence, dispute it in writing, then contact the ULC or the consumer ombudsman. If you were pressured or threatened, go to the Grand Ducal Police.