TrustMark Blog

TrustMark works alongside our network of Licensed Scheme Providers in order to ensure consumers have the best levels of protection, confidence and choice. This blog explores the journey of the Scheme Providers, shedding a little light on the work these quality-minded organisations do to raise standards and quality in their sector.

TrustMark is delighted to announce that following significant changes at the organisation, it is in a position to build considerably on the legacy of consumer protection it has nurtured since its inception in 2005. In 2016, the industry led, government commissioned Each Home Counts review identified the need for an all-encompassing mark of quality that consumers can rely on, regardless of the type of work they require. As a result, TrustMark has expanded its remit to become this quality mark, including all Repair, Maintenance & Improvement; Retrofit and Energy Efficiency measures.

An escrow agreement enables a third party to hold money between two parties involved in a financial transaction. This means the customer pays the full amount for a product or service (guaranteeing the tradesperson their payment), whist only allowing release of funds once the terms of the agreement are fulfilled.

As the hazy days of Summer fade into memory, while our gardens may not be the blaze of colour they were in Flaming June, there is still plenty to be done. Here are some of the best jobs you can do in early Autumn to prepare your garden for the colder months to come:

As the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme for consumers seeking improvements to their homes, TrustMark takes pride in putting people in contact with competent, vetted tradespeople that have made a commitment to good customer service and trading practices. One of the ways we provide additional peace-of-mind is that, in the event something does go wrong, we have available a suite of remedies to ensure the consumer is protected when using a TrustMark Registered Business.

While the temperature has yet to noticeably drop, the children are back at school and there are a few other tell-tale signs of approaching autumn around us. With this in mind, now is a good time to check and review your heating options; as if you wait for the cold weather to bite, you may leave yourself vulnerable at the start of winter.

Since its inception in 2005, consumer protection has been a critical aim for TrustMark as an organisation. During this time we have seen a huge growth in awareness, as well as the emergence of a number of additional initiatives designed to enhance the level of protection consumers can rely on in a number of sectors. This can only be seen as a positive step and TrustMark is proud to support any activity that leads to greater awareness of the risks of scams and other practices that cause consumer detriment.

As Britain basks (or languishes) in a fairly powerful heatwave, recent findings suggest that very hot, dry summers could become the norm for the foreseeable future. Traditionally a nation of radiators rather than air conditioners, when it comes to cooling down most British homes lack more than an electric fan (currently selling out at an impressive rate), contrasting sharply with the US where 100 million homes are thought to be air conditioned.

TrustMark would naturally advise all members of the public to look out for the TrustMark logo when selecting a tradesperson to carry out work on their home. This logo indicates the tradesperson has been thoroughly vetted and has had their work independently inspected by experts, ensuring they can deliver the level of competence and quality consumers should be able to rely on. The potential danger is that, while rare, there are businesses that claim to be TrustMark members (or to have other memberships and accreditations), which may not be the case.

At TrustMark we completely understand that a personal recommendation from a previously satisfied customer can be the best thing for a business. As such it is no surprise that websites allowing customers to provide reviews of work carried out by tradespeople in their homes have been tremendously popular with both businesses and consumers.