We understand that any home improvement project can be stressful. We recommend you follow these steps when employing tradespeople to work in or around your home in order to find the business that best suits your needs, potentially saving you time and money.
Initial Checks
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Check our website
When employing a TrustMark tradesperson, check that they are listed for all the trades you are asking them to carry out. Our website will show this information when searching for a business.
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Get quotes
We recommend getting at least 3 quotes for comparison - but don’t just go with the cheapest, consider your ability to communicate with the firm and their quality of work.
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Vet potential firms on Google
Use good old Google to research the firm. A simple internet search on the company name may yield interesting information. Check Companies House information if applicable, check the company’s website and their accreditations they may claim to have, check their trading history and any County Court Judgements they may have been awarded.
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Seek references
Speak to previous customers, and if a reasonable-sized job, visit previous jobs
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Personal recommendatons
Do you know someone who is pleased with work they have had done? Will they let you come and have a look at it? Were there any problems they had?
Once you've selected a business
Keep evidence to hand
Always agree everything in writing - even the smallest changes. In the event there are problems, it will be useful to have this evidence and it will offer you protection if anything goes wrong. You can also take photographs to record the difference between before and after project completion. To make this process easier, you can manage all communications with TrustMark Registered Businesses in the secure, free and convenient Consumer Portal.
Use Payment Protection
You can use the TrustMark Payment Protection service to ensure money is only released in a series of agreed stages. The business will get 100% of the payment if you have received everything that was agreed in your contract at the start of the project. This low-cost service provides assurance and peace-of-mind to all parties.
Important information
On 13 June 2014 the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 SI 2013 No. 3134 came into force.
These regulations now apply to contracts concluded on or after 13 June 2014. On this date, the Distance Selling Regulations 2000 and the Off Premises (Doorstep) Regulations 2008 were revoked. Read the full document here.
