Trade Body Supports New Technology Launch from TrustMark

July 2, 2012 - PRLog -- UK trade body the Property Care Association (PCA) is backing a new initiative, developed by TrustMark to help signpost consumers to trusted tradesmen and help tackle rogue traders.

The association has welcomed the new smartphone app - developed by TrustMark, the Government endorsed quality mark for tradesmen - which was launched by Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills in June.

The app will help tradesmen and their customers to ask all the right questions and to have more confident conversations before agreeing work to be done in or around the home.  

According to TrustMark, the consumer need for this app was highlighted when they commissioned research among 1,000 homeowners about their own experiences when using a tradesman to quote for a job in or around the home.  

Their report revealed over half of British homeowners (54%) admitted they forgot to ask the right questions when they invited tradesmen into their homes to quote for a job, and almost one in five forgot to ask a really important question - meaning consumers are often handing over the repair, maintenance or improvement of their home after only the briefest of conversations.

The research also showed that younger homeowners were particularly vulnerable and lacking in confidence, with almost half (46%) turning to their parents for help when it comes to employing a tradesman.

As a trade body, the PCA has been strongly involved with TrustMark for a number of years.

The Association is an approved scheme operator for the initiative and, as an approved operator, this means all of its members belong to the scheme.

Les Meikle, chairman of the Property Care Association, believes both customers and reputable tradesmen alike will view the launch of this app as a positive step by TrustMark.

He said “Focusing customers on tradesmen’s credentials, qualifications, past customer referrals, memberships of recognised trade associations - as well as a step by step guide through the contracting process - ensures all the bases are covered and leaves little to chance.

“With the Property Care Association’s members’ commitment to customer service, and also being members of TrustMark, the app is a welcome step forward in making it harder for the “cowboys”.

The TrustMark app is free and available for iPhones, with additional versions for other smartphones coming later this year. To download the app, follow the link from www.trustmark.org.uk/apps

ENDS

Noted for its training and technical expertise, the PCA incorporates the British Wood Preserving and Damp-proofing Association (BWPDA), which has been in formation for 80 years.

Its contractor members are all carefully vetted before being awarded membership - and are then subject to rigorous auditing procedures once admitted to the Association.
The trade body represents the UK’s structural repair sector, as well as the structural waterproofing, wood preservation, damp-proofing, flood remediation and invasive weed control industries.

As well as delivering a trusted repair procedure, PCA members are able to carry out specialist surveys as part of the house-buying procedure  to identify potential problems – as well as a range of other services  designed to preserve and protect homes and buildings across the UK.

To find a PCA member log on to www.property-care.org and select the ‘Find A Member’ service.

Press release issued by Jane Shepherd, Shepherd PR Limited, 01538 308685, 07985 129315

jane@shepherd-pr.com