Belgian Repair Service Complaints Surge Past 1,100
The Belgian Federal Public Service for Economy (FOD Economie) has received 1,134 complaints about repair services in the first half of 2026, according to VRT NWS. The complaints center on excessive prices, poor workmanship, and misleading pricing information, often in urgent repair situations.
A Growing Problem
The latest figures continue a troubling upward trend. In 2025, FOD Economie received 2,031 complaints about repair services — nearly double the 1,068 recorded in 2024 and almost three times the 844 in 2023, as reported by Plus Magazine.
Most complaints concern plumbers and electricians, followed by heating technicians and roofers, including chimney sweeps. In 2025, electricians led with 875 complaints, up from just 249 the previous year, while plumbers accounted for more than 500.
Why Consumers Are Vulnerable
Fraudulent repair services typically operate in emergency situations — clogged drains, broken boilers, or electrical failures — where consumers are under time pressure and less likely to compare prices or check credentials.
“Consumers often call on a repair service when they urgently need help,” a FOD Economie spokesperson told Redactie24. “In such a situation, they are extra vulnerable.”
The case of Slimane from Boechout illustrates the problem. He received a €890 bill for a chimney sweep that was quoted at €75, with extra charges for removing a bird’s nest and an unsolicited camera inspection, as P-Magazine reported.
Government Response
The Economic Inspection service has stepped up enforcement. In 2025, inspections increased from 93 to 280, resulting in 1,276 violations found, 155 warnings issued, and 32 official reports filed. Additionally, 77 fraudulent websites were made inaccessible, with visitors redirected to a warning page, according to Business AM.
Minister of Consumer Protection Rob Beenders has been vocal about the issue. “Fraudulent repairers do not belong on the market,” he said. “When people are in an emergency situation, they need clarity rather than becoming victims of abuse. Consumers have the right to fair prices and clear information.”
The FOD Economie has also launched the ‘Pech in huis’ (Trouble at Home) awareness campaign, which includes social media posts, online ads, newspaper advertisements, posters at more than 2,000 locations across Belgium, and a video, as detailed on the FOD Economie website.
How to Protect Yourself
FOD Economie advises consumers to prepare a list of reliable repairers before an emergency occurs. Ask friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues for recommendations, and compare prices with multiple quotes.
When contacting a repairer, the agency recommends:
- Request a written price estimate before work begins. You have the right to written confirmation of the total price, including additional costs for parts or extra work.
- Ask about all costs on the phone, including travel fees, and be clear about your needs.
- Be wary of unusually low prices or ‘from’ prices — if something seems too good to be true, it often is.
- Never let yourself be pressured into paying immediately on the spot.
After the work, keep all communication, quotes, invoices, and receipts. Don’t sign blank work orders or documents you don’t understand. If you’re pressured to pay immediately, contact the police.
Consumers who encounter problems can report them through ConsumerConnect, where the Economic Inspection analyzes each report and can launch investigations into fraudulent practices.
What’s Next
With complaints continuing to rise in 2026, the FOD Economie’s enforcement and awareness efforts are likely to intensify. Consumers are urged to remain vigilant, especially during emergencies when they are most vulnerable. The agency’s message is clear: preparation and knowledge of your rights are the best defenses against dishonest repairers.