HOW TO FIND REPUTABLE TRADESPEOPLE FOR YOUR 2014 HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

With the UK finally emerging from a prolonged recession and consumer confidence returning, many homeowners will be planning improvements in 2014 – extensions, new kitchens, bathrooms, boiler upgrades and perhaps renewable energy technologies.  Roderick Pettigrew, Chief Executive of B&ES, the Building & Engineering Services Association, issues some valuable advice to homeowners on how to find reputable traders for such work and some simple guidelines to follow when dealing with them.

7 January 2014 – With the UK finally emerging from a prolonged recession and consumer confidence returning, many homeowners will be planning improvements in 2014 – extensions, new kitchens, bathrooms, boiler upgrades and perhaps renewable energy technologies.  From the long established Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) comes useful advice to homeowners on how to find reputable traders for such work and some simple guidelines to follow when dealing with them.

Roderick Pettigrew, B&ES Chief Executive, says, “Regrettably, far too many rogue traders operate in the UK, and to help combat their rip off tactics there are a growing number of trade competence and ‘Buy with Confidence’ schemes around.

“The one we recommend is TrustMark and it’s worth bearing in mind that it’s the only scheme officially endorsed and backed by the Government.  TrustMark was set up specifically to help homeowners and consumers locate local reputable tradespeople to carry out quality improvements, repairs and maintenance work on their home or garden.

“So for peace of mind only ask TrustMark registered companies to quote for your home improvement.  Then follow these simple guidelines to ensure a satisfactory outcome:

• Obtain written and itemised quotes from at least three companies.  Getting quotes will give you a realistic guide to how much the work is likely to cost and it will also help you look at ways to save money, if you need to.

• Itemised quotes will help you to compare what different traders charge for each part of the work.  They will also help you to decide which part you can remove if the costs are higher than your budget allows.  Check that traders are estimating a similar time period to complete the job and check that the quote includes everything in your list of required work.

• Quotes should include VAT.  If it is not mentioned, check whether it is included and write down the final amount you will be asked to pay.  Agree how payments will be made and discuss potential delays to the work including who is responsible for them and any costs related to delays.

• Have regular meetings with the contractor and raise any issues as they arise – don’t wait until the end of the work.

• Have a clear idea of when the final payment is due and remember that you are entitled to withhold a reasonable amount of money to ensure that any problems are put right.

• Check that your local authority Building Control Department has signed off key stages of the work if they are required to.”

Mr Pettigrew concludes by saying that not only will you be secure in the knowledge that the firms are operating to Government endorsed standards, there are also other very important reasons for choosing TrustMark companies:  should the business fail any deposit paid is protected and a standard or optional warranty is available to cover workmanship along with a comprehensive complaints procedure in the case of any problems.

The TrustMark scheme covers many of the trades householders look for such as builders, plumbers, electricians, glaziers, roofers, landscape gardeners and damp-proof specialists.  All B&ES members that carry out domestic work are members of the TrustMark scheme.  B&ES also operates Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk), the free consumer advice service.

For more information about the TrustMark scheme and to locate TrustMark members near to you visit:  http://www.trustmark.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.

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