Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Do tradesmen make you tremble? TrustMark comes to the rescue

News release

For immediate release

Do tradesmen make you tremble?
~ TrustMark report reveals UK's "doorstep panic"~

Research unveiled today shows the majority of people in the UK (58%) suffer from oikodomophobia, a condition that leaves them with trembling with fear when dealing with tradesmen on their doorstep1.

This is the conclusion of a consumer poll by TrustMark, the Government-backed scheme to help the general public find reputable tradespeople, which reveals that even the most confident people - from managing directors to market traders used to haggling - admit they suffer from sweaty palms when negotiating with plumbers, builders and roofers.

The research, conducted among 1,000 UK homeowners, also shows that this “doorstep panic” results stems from ignorance of what home renovation jobs actually entail – six in ten (60%) say they they’ve employed tradespeople to carry out work, from replacing a kitchen sink to repairing a heating system, without understanding exactly what needs to be done.

Worryingly, one in ten people (11%) even admit to not conducting thorough background checks on potential tradesmen and dive straight in to letting them into their home and getting them to start work.

Ian Livsey, Chairman of Trustmark said “There’s no shame in asking loads of questions and getting a layperson’s explanation before you sign a deal for home improvement work. Without this approach, we all run a huge risk of misunderstanding and not getting the best from our tradespeople.

“We all need to get better at doing our homework when it comes to home improvement. I’d encourage people to shop around, get quotes and references, and select a tradesman that is registered with Trustmark – that way you can be sure you are dealing with a reputable firm.”

To better educate UK homeowners, TrustMark has unveiled its ‘top tips’ for dealing with tradesmen:

1. Use the TrustMark website, to find registered firms near you or consult local directories and the local press to find a trader that displays the TrustMark logo
2. Check their credentials with the relevant TrustMark scheme operator, and make sure the firms are qualified for the job you have in mind
2. Get quotes from three of them, all based on the same specification, and ask for some references you can check
3. Once you’ve chosen the right firm, make sure you get a written contract specifying the work, the price and other key details.
4.Agree start and completion dates before the work starts..
5.Receive written confirmation of any guarantees being provided by the firm



Notes



1.Oikodomophobia stems from the Greek word oikodomos which means ‘builder’
2.TrustMark is based around a set of Government-endorsed standards for trade associations, certification bodies and other organisations that wish to become approved scheme operators. Only these scheme operators are allowed to award the TrustMark logo to firms. For further info about TrustMark go to www.trustmark.org.uk

3.When a firm displays the TrustMark logo it signifies that:

1The scheme operator has checked the firm’s technical skills, trading record and financial position;
2The firm has signed up to a code of practice that includes insurance, good health and safety practices and customer care;
3The scheme operator has checked and will continue to monitor the firm’s quality of work, trading practices and customer satisfaction;
4The firm will tell customers about any building regulations they must meet, and may also be able to give the certificates they need;
5If a customer has a problem or disagreement with the firm, there will be a clear and user-friendly complaints procedure to help sort out the problem;
6If the firm doesn’t automatically provide insurance cover, the customer has the option to buy a warranty in case it goes out of business.

4.In return, customers are expected to deal fairly with the firm, agree a fair price for good work and pay quickly when the job is finished.

5.TrustMark operates across the UK, and works closely with the Construction Licensing Executive which runs a similar scheme in Scotland.

6.The consumer research was conducted by MyVoice on behalf of TrustMark during December 2005. The sample size was 1017 adults aged 18+.


Issued on behalf of the TrustMark Secretariat by Cow PR.

For further info about TrustMark, or advice with how to deal with tradesmen in your own home, contact the TrustMark Press Office at Cow PR, Telephone 020 7684 6969. Please note that we can also find case studies and tradespeople for interview at short notice.