TrustMark Blog

Home maintenance businesses that know about trading standards law and the obligations that they have to their customers are far more likely to succeed in the long term. They are going to treat their customers fairly, provide good service and probably generate more work through recommendations. This applies to the smallest sole trader right up to the biggest multi nationals.

This week is National Sleep Awareness week which means there’s one thing on our minds: bed! So how can you make sure you have a sound night’s sleep? It might be time to spruce up your dated bedroom décor and give it some loving care and attention.

Many of this year’s biggest interior trends are driven by a desire to reconnect with nature and take a more organic, authentic approach to design. Reflective of the increasing focus on both health consciousness and our environmental impact, these trends encourage you to disconnect from technology, providing some much needed balance and the opportunity to reflect and rejuvenate.

Our lives are governed by contracts - even though we may not always realise it. Every time we buy something in a shop, get a new mobile phone, take a holiday, sign up for a new energy supplier or accept a new job, there is a contract behind it.

Today is the last Tuesday in February, which means it’s also Pancake day! Hundreds of thousands of householders in the UK will be descending on their kitchens today to make these delicious treats. Making yummy puds in the kitchen should be something you enjoy, but if you feel that your kitchen isn’t a part of your home you enjoy being in, it may be time to give it some TLC.

Property maintenance scams that target elderly and vulnerable householders are not unusual. There is a hard core of rogue businesses out there who sadly see the elderly as ‘fair game’ when it comes to carrying out their work. I use the term ‘work’ in the most tenuous way – it is often not actually necessary, it is always carried out to an appalling standard and it is prohibitively and criminally over priced.

It can be difficult to quantify the value of joining an accreditation body for your sector of business when there are so many around and they all claim to offer more or less the same services. Joining fees are often high, and you can never really judge how much business you are getting as a result of an accreditation. Getting lost in the vast amount of information available might make you regret looking into it in the first place

If you are thinking about making some updates to your home this year, it worth investing some time and money in decisions that will prepare it for the future. Homes that are energy efficient are not only better for the environment, they are more comfortable to live in and could save hundreds of pounds per year on energy bills. What’s more, if you decide to put it up for sale, your home may also be more attractive to buyers if you have invested in eco alternatives.

Early forecasts for 2017 show that if you’re a first-time buyer, you’re in a good position as negotiating power is strong and there’s more choice then there’s been in recent times. As pressures also mount on the house building industry to provide enough supply of new homes, things are looking up for this pocket of homebuyers.