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 per cent compared to the same period in 2012. Solar panel installers (131 per cent), installers for cavity, internal and external wall insulation (92 per cent) and window installers and glaziers (70 per cent) saw the largest rise last year, primarily due to homeowners wanting to reduce their rising energy costs. Electricians increased by 26 per cent during 2013 with October and November having the largest searches carried out by homeowners.
Notably in December, TrustMark saw a considerable surge in demand from the previous month for fence installers (65 per cent), underground waterproofing specialists (65 per cent) and flood recovery specialists (313 per cent). 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.
‘TrustMark tradesmen’s details have been increasing year-on-year and this considerable success has been a result of a number of increased marketing initiatives carried out during 2013, improved website activity and working closely in partnership with government departments, our member firms, scheme operators and key consumer organisations such as Citizens Advice, Age UK and the Trading Standards Institute who are all signposting people to TrustMark.’
All TrustMark firms’ technical skills have been independently checked through on site inspections to ensure a high quality of workmanship and trading practices. TrustMark is the only scheme that requires qualified inspectors to do these visits, so that technical competence is checked as well as business practices and customer satisfaction.
TrustMark continues to expand its database of over 14,500 individual firms in the UK, providing national coverage with more than 21,000 licenced trades searchable on its database.
For further information and to stay up-to-date with developments at TrustMark visit: www.trustmark.org.uk
