Figures released in the last couple of weeks by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) show that home improvements continue to top the list of complaints about doorstep rogue traders.

The OFT is today urging consumers, especially the elderly and vulnerable, to be on their guard against rogue traders knocking at their door. In the literature that the OFT has produced
TrustMark is promoted as 'Offering the Public Peace of Mind'.

Last year Consumer Direct received more than 13,000 complaints about uninvited traders and almost half of these complaints (5,718) related to home maintenance work. With complaints about home maintenance peaking in the summer months from July through to the Autumn, the OFT is launching an awareness campaign urging householders to be cautious and take time to think about people who call at the door.

Rogue doorstep traders will often offer services at attractive rates and use persuasive sales techniques to encourage people into making hasty decisions.

As the public become more aware of the benefits from energy saving products and services, TrustMark is being approached by homeowners from all over the UK wanting good quality and reliable firms to help them in reducing their home energy costs.

To support this need TrustMark has now launched four new trades:

·         Microgeneration Equipment Installers – firms must be MCS registered

·         Solar Energy Installers – firms must be MCS registered

·         Cavity Wall Insulation Installers

·         Loft Insulation Installers

If any existing TrustMark firms are interested in becoming licensed for any of these new trades then they need to approach their existing Scheme Operator to let them know.

Note: Firms must become licensed for each of these trades before they can promote themselves as a TrustMark approved business for the related work as detailed above.

TrustMark welcomes B&Q as a scheme operator for the installation of their full range of kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.
 
B&Q the largest DIY chain in Europe and 3rd largest in the World are the most experienced domestic installer in the UK with over 16 years’ experience and over half a million completed installation projects.
 
Billy Quinn, Installations Director of B&Q, said: “We are delighted to continue our relationship with TrustMark as they are the only not-for-profit ‘Government Endorsed’ organisation, licensed by BIS to protect consumers from rogue traders.
 
B&Q also recognise TrustMark’s considerable contribution towards the Government's ‘Green Deal’ initiative which is designed to improve the UK’s housing stock where homes are poorly insulated, leaking heat and using up energy.

TrustMark are pleased to announce that their new ‘How to Join’ facility is now live on the website.  Please visit: http://beta.trustmark.org.uk/how-to-join-trustmark/

We are already seeing a steady stream of new firms viewing this section, completing their application form and submitting it to their selected Scheme Operator for appraisal.

These completed application forms are automatically forwarded to the selected Scheme Operator’s membership e-mail address for assessment.

HVCA, as a long standing and highly respected Scheme Operator for TrustMark, has relayed its concerns to Paul Morrell, the Government’s chief construction advisor over the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) concept and the REAL code of practice which is required under the scheme.

In a letter to Mr Morrell, HVCA head of sustainability David Frise explained that a survey carried out among HVCA members had revealed that some 77% were actively involved in the design and/or installation of renewable technology – yet only 9% were members of MCS.

He added that “Applicants for MCS membership are advised that before they can be inspected, they must confirm their membership of REAL – yet there appears to be little relationship between REAL and the MCS operators which do little more than direct applicants to the REAL website”.

David Frise went on to say “We are firmly of the opinion that TrustMark – which was first conceived and developed by Government and has an existing relationship with many of the key industry organisations – is ideally placed to protect the interests of consumers in respect of renewable technologies, as it already does in respect of a broad range of other related services”.

The Homeform group which includes Moben kitchens and Dolphin bathrooms have just filed an intention to appoint administrators in a similar way to MFI a number of years ago.

Homeform employed 1,300 people in 160 showrooms across the UK and it is now very worrying as it is unclear what will happen to the money of many hundreds of customers who have put down a deposit for a new Moben kitchen or Dolphin bathroom. What a shame none of these firms were TrustMark approved!

The safeguard TrustMark offers consumers is protection against the loss of their deposit or advance payments with minimum limits of protection to be £10,000 or 25% of the contract value, whichever is the lower.

Where a scheme’s primary focus is on a sector in which the taking of substantial deposits is part of normal trading practice – e.g. kitchen & bathroom installations or double-glazing sales – consumer deposit cover is a standard offering.

Certass has recently been approved as a TrustMark scheme operator for the trades of Glaziers and Conservatory Erectors.

Certass is a competent persons scheme covering the installation of replacement windows, doors and associated glazing products in domestic properties. Membership of Certass enables contractors to self-certify installations as an alternative to submitting a building notice or using an approved inspector.

TrustMark have recognised the work that Certass does in vetting all its members and has agreed that all Certass members qualify for Trustmark membership. In the first few weeks of being approved they have initially brought 800 new companies into TrustMark and over the coming months all remaining members will automatically become members of the scheme.

If you wish us to prioritise your TrustMark entry through Certass please contact Pamela Prince at Certass on telephone: 0845 094 8025 or e-mail: info@certass.co.uk

TrustMark has recently been recognised for its work in providing more opportunities to improve society and protect consumers.

Roman Russocki - Chief Executive at TrustMark commented; “Our passion at TrustMark is being in business to provide more opportunities to help society and protect consumers by enabling them to find their local trustworthy tradesmen.
That is why receiving the Social Enterprise Mark is a great honour for TrustMark.  It is an independent certification and a testament for our future direction”.

The Government defines social enterprises as “businesses with primarily social objectives whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.”

Metal Theft
Building contractors are experiencing a rise in metal theft, especially copper piping, electrical cables and lead. Most theft is opportunist crime and criminals will be looking out for easy opportunities.

Vacant and Unoccupied Premises
Building contractors are involved in renovation and extension works, and by the very nature of these types of building projects, some of the premises may be vacant or unoccupied. It is recommended to secure all windows and doors to reduce unlawful access into these vacant premises.

The gas, electricity and water supplies should be disconnected to any vacant unoccupied premises.

Scaffolding
Scaffolding can assist a thief to get into a building or onto the roof. Any accessible windows should be adequately secured and any ladders removed to stop access onto the scaffolding 

Delivery of metal materials
Any metal products delivered to the building site such as copper pipe or lead flashing should be stored appropriately, preferably locked away. There have been occasions when deliveries of copper pipe to building sites have been clearly visible from the road and then subsequently stolen.

Replacement lead products
The use of replacement products for lead flashing should be considered for areas such as flashing to porch roofs or flat roofs and areas that can be easily reached by the opportunist thief.