last updated 24th November 05
by 4ecotips.com

Long-awaited scheme aims to beat cowboy traders

The long-awaited, highly sensitive TrustMark scheme is to be launched to the UK general public early in the New Year. A major new initiative between Government, consumer groups and industry it's designed to help consumers/householders find reputable firms to do repair, maintenance and improvement work in the home or garden.

It is based around a set of Government-endorsed standards for trade associations, certification bodies and other organisations that wish to become approved scheme operators. Only these scheme operators are allowed to award the TrustMark to registered firms.

The date set for national consumer launch Monday 30 January 2006. On that day the search function will start working on the TrustMark website, allowing people to search for a reputable tradesperson via our approved scheme operators.

A high profile PR campaign is planned to generate maximum media coverage for the consumer launch at national and local level.

A house in the London area will be transformed into 'The House of TrustMark' to act as a visual prop and focal point for the press and TV cameras on the day. TrustMark chairman Ian Livsey will be on hand for interviews with journalists, and specialist TrustMark-registered tradespeople and consumer protection experts will give advice on how to avoid the cowboys.

An innovative and sustained consumer marketing campaign will then kick in immediately to maintain momentum after the launch.

UK Construction Minister, The Rt Hon Alun Michael, has already awarded TrustMark licences to the first eight trade bodies paving the way for 10,000 firms to become TrustMark registered over the next couple of months.

Trades encompassed by the first approved scheme operators include general builders, glaziers, roofers, heating engineers, electricians, fencing specialists and damp proofing contractors. The number and range of tradespeople covered gives TrustMark the critical mass needed for a national launch to the general public in January 2006.

The first scheme operators are:

• National Register of Warranted Builders - a group of 3,500 general builders that belong to the FMB MasterBond scheme.
• Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA).
• National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC).
• Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF).
• British Wood Preserving and Damp-Proofing Association (BWPDA).
• National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT) - a specialist trade association for firms involved in electrical inspection and testing.
• European Fencing Industry Association (EFIA).
• AJA Registrars Limited - an independent certification body that vets a wide range of traders.