21-04-2008
Reputation 'key' for tradesmen
News by Adfero for Simply Business - independent providers of public liability insurance, business finance, landlord insurance, buy-to-let mortgages & commercial mortgages.
Having a good reputation throughout the local area is a key requirement for tradesmen to get business, according to Trading Standards.
Tradesmen can get a bad reputation by botching jobs, with more than 70,000 calls on the subject to government helpline Consumer Direct during 2007, the Times reports.
By making sure that the tradesman has the proper tools insurance and is registered with the national body for that trade, homeowners requiring their services will be protected against possible cowboys, Trading Standards' Steve Playle told the publication.
Mr Playle added: "Contact the organisation to check whether the trader is registered, and ask how members are vetted and what extra protection customers have - some associations give membership to anyone who sends a cheque.
"The best bodies are members of the government's TrustMark scheme."
Last week, industry expert Brian Beswick said that tradesmen who do not have the correct builders insurance could be turned away from potential work in favour of rival contractors.