Separating the Best from the Rest

13 May 2010

TrustMark, the Government backed, not for profit quality mark for tradesmen, offers consumers easy access to thousands of reputable and reliable local tradesmen. Since its launch in 2005, it now covers more than 17,500 trades across 27 different sectors and its free online database of tradesman continues to be unrivalled.

TrustMark continues to be the only organisation to require on-site inspections to check workmanship and all firms in TrustMark are monitored for quality of work, trading practices, customer satisfaction and are required to operate a user-friendly complaints procedure.

Over the course of five years, leading home improvement companies and organisations including Homebase, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors and Dulux Select Decorators have all joined TrustMark and act as 'Scheme Operators' who manage the recruitment, inspection and monitoring of individual tradesmen who want to join TrustMark.

Roman Russocki, Chief Executive of TrustMark said: "We are proud to have built the largest database of accredited tradesmen in the UK and every month, on average over 300,000 tradesmen's contact details are viewed through it, regularly resulting in business to TrustMark tradesmen."

Paul Merton, plumber from Welwyn Garden City and a member of TrustMark comments: "Being a TrustMark member has provided me with many new customers. In fact, TrustMark is the second largest source of business for me, just behind advertising in the local paper".

August 2009 saw the launch of TrustMark's biggest marketing campaign to date, which promoted and engaged both tradesmen and homeowners about the virtues and values of trust - the core message of TrustMark. The campaign included outdoor activity, online and PR activity such as the nationwide competition, searching to find 'Britain's Number One Tradesman'.

Nick Orchard, a Bristol based builder and winner of the 'Britain's Number One Tradesman' award, comments: "Winning this accolade has opened several doors for me.  It's helped raise my profile in the local media which in turn has increased my customer base."

TrustMark has firmly made its mark with consumers over the past five years, but as Roman Russocki states: "Maintaining awareness of TrustMark is essential as the industry is still affected by a small group of rogue traders which costs UK homeowners £1.5 billion a year - that's a staggering £17,123 every hour. We will constantly strive to communicate the benefits of TrustMark in new and exciting ways".