TrustMark, the government endorsed quality mark for tradesmen, has recorded its greatest year to date for tradesmen details displayed on the website (www.trustmark.org.uk).
In 2013, more than five million (5,277,705) search results were provided to homeowners who used TrustMark’s website and telephone helpline to find local tradesmen to carry out work on their homes or gardens.
During 2013, the average number of details displayed across all trades rose by 36% compared to the same period in 2012. Solar panel installers (131%), installers for cavity, internal and external wall insulation (92%) and window installers and glaziers (70%) saw the largest rise last year, primarily due to homeowners wanting to reduce their rising energy costs.
Notably in December, TrustMark saw a considerable surge in demand from the previous month for fence installers (65%), underground waterproofing specialists (65%) and flood recovery specialists (313%). TrustMark believes the severe weather conditions experienced throughout the UK would have contributed significantly to these growths.
Stuart Carter, head of PR and marketing at TrustMark, said: “Soaring energy prices coupled with extreme weather have been key contributors for homeowners seeking out our tradesmen last year. We are delighted to see such high figures as it shows that consumers are searching for qualified and reputable tradesman to do their work rather than looking on any ‘find a trader’ websites, which carry out little or no checks on the firms they are listing.”
All TrustMark firms’ technical skills have been independently checked through on-site inspections to ensure a high quality of workmanship and trading practices.
