B&ES WELCOMES TRUSTMARK MOVE BY CITIZENS ADVICE
Citizens Advice and TrustMark have joined forces to signpost consumers when they are looking for local, reputable tradesmen. B&ES, who operate the consumer advice service the Heating Helpline, welcomes this important development.
12 September 2012 – Citizens Advice and TrustMark have joined forces to signpost consumers when they are looking for local, reputable tradesmen. Consumers from across the UK will now be able to search and select a TrustMark firm from the Citizens Advice websites for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland knowing that all the firms’ competences and fair trading practices have been independently inspected and checked.
B&ES (the Building & Engineering Services Association), who operate the consumer advice service the Heating Helpline, welcomes this important development. Blane Judd, Chief Executive of B&ES, comments, “There are tens of thousands of rogue traders, bogus gas installers and cowboy builders operating in the UK. Their rip-off tactics and shoddy, sub-standard work can cause misery, financial hardship and even endanger people’s lives.
“We are therefore delighted that Citizens Advice has joined forces with the TrustMark scheme, and consumers throughout the UK will now have a search facility on CA websites so that they can easily locate reliable, reputable tradespeople.
“TrustMark operates stringent membership criteria, not least of which is that all member firms must first undergo an on-site inspection of their work, either a job in progress or one recently completed, before they can join.
“By employing the services of TrustMark registered traders, consumers can have complete confidence that listed businesses are competent, have the right insurances and qualifications and that their work is regularly inspected.
“Furthermore, a standard or optional warranty is available, which means that in the event a TrustMark business fails all workmanship is covered and any deposit paid is protected. This gives real peace of mind if you use a TrustMark member”.
“It’s worth bearing in mind too that TrustMark is the only tradesmen scheme endorsed by the Government”.
To visit the relevant section of the Citizens Advice website visit: http://tiny.cc/luhcjw and for more information about the Heating Helpline visit http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) by Next Step Marketing Ltd
Media enquiries to: Heather Lambert. Tel: 44(0)1256 472020;
Fax: 44(0)1256 471010; E-mail: heather@nextstepmarketing.co.uk
Notes to editors
Since its formation in 1904, B&ES, the Building & Engineering Services Association (formerly the HVCA) has represented the interests of companies engaged in a wide range of building and engineering services including domestic heating and renewable technologies.
B&ES members are subject to regular, third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability, carried out by an independent certification body at least every three years.
B&ES members who undertake gas installations are registered with Gas Safe – the gas safety watchdog body – and are also members of TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme designed to direct customers towards reliable tradespeople.
B&ES operates the Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.
Caption for Picture:
‘Someone you can trust – the Citizens Advice websites now have a search facility to locate TrustMark members.'
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