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Stories of botched building work can make finding reliable traders a worry but there are ways of increasing your chances of success, advises Consumer Direct East Midlands.
A number of government-supported schemes currently exist to help you avoid the rogue traders and find businesses that offer higher standards of customer service.
The government-endorsed TrustMark scheme focuses on helping find reliable tradespeople to carry out repair, maintenance and home improvement work. Trustmark-approved tradespeople, including plumbers, electricians and kitchen and bathroom installers can be found on the Trustmark website at www.trustmark.org.uk
Sara Barry, Manager for Consumer Direct East Midlands said: “These schemes can take a lot of the worry out of finding a reputable trader, but its always worth talking to friends and family who can also recommend local businesses.”
“Consumer Direct East Midlands receives a large number of calls each year from homeowners across the region who have had problems with work carried out by rogue traders. These schemes help support reputable local businesses and can prevent the public being ripped off by less scrupulous traders. Although Consumer Direct can’t recommend individual businesses, our Advisors can direct you to traders included in these schemes.”
Complaints about home improvements form the single largest source of complaints to Consumer Direct within the East Midlands region. In the first three months of 2008, complaints to Consumer Direct East Midlands relating to home improvements were up nearly 8% on the same period last year. The government-funded helpline received more than 1,600 complaints about builders, plumbers, electricians, decorators and other home improvements traders in the first three months of this year for work totalling almost £5 million.
Consumer Direct East Midlands has this list of do’s and don’ts if you do need to hire someone to carry out work to your home or garden:
DO
• Ask friends, relatives or neighbours if they can recommend a trader who has carried out work for them.
• Get the relevant trade associations to give you a list of members in your area.
• Shop around and ask for at least three written quotes before choosing a trader.
• Ask the trader for a written quote (this is a firm price rather than an estimate).
• Get a firm date for starting and finishing the job.
• Get details of the work to be carried out/contract in writing.
• Remember to ask for and keep a record of the trader’s name, address and telephone number.
DON’T
• Don’t be pressurised into having work done on the spot by someone who knocks on your door.
• Don’t pay the total amount up front and try to avoid paying large deposits. If you decide to pay in stages – pay only for work that has been done. Don’t make the final payment until you are completely satisfied with the job.
To report problems with rogue traders or for advice and information on all kinds of consumer issues call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
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| Consumer Direct East Midlands received more than 1,600 complaints about builders, plumbers, electricians, decorators and other home improvement traders in the first three months of this year totalling almost 5 million.... 22 Apr 2008 Consumer Direct East Midlands |
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Farmers fined £14,000 for moving sheep illegally | |
| Community Services 16 June 2009 Farmers fined 14,000 for moving sheep illegally Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards Service has prosecuted two Leicestershire farmers for failing to comply with a prohibition notice previously issued to them about moving their sheep. Thomas Geoffrey Skinner and Joseph David Skinner trading as the Skinner Brothers of Hazeltongue Farm, Holwell, Leicestershire were each fined 7,000 plus costs of 187.... 16 Jun 2009 Farmers fined £14,000 for moving sheep illegally |
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Most Read News (this month)
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|---|---|
| It will be a cavalcade of memories at the Great Central Railway this weekend (17th / 18th May) as a special gala event recreates the sights and sounds of four decades ago. Star of the show will be BR Standard 7, Oliver Cromwell which hauled Britain s last steam train back in 1968.... 14 May 2008 Great Central Railway |
Stop for the lollipop - it's the law | |
| Highways, Transportation & Waste Management 5 June 2009 Stop for the lollipop - it's the law Photo opportunity Drivers are being reminded that is it the law to stop for a school crossing patrol. New signs with the message Stop for the Lollipop, it s the law will go up around the county in the coming weeks.... 06 Jun 2009 Stop for the lollipop - it's the law |
Farmers fined £14,000 for moving sheep illegally | |
| Community Services 16 June 2009 Farmers fined 14,000 for moving sheep illegally Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards Service has prosecuted two Leicestershire farmers for failing to comply with a prohibition notice previously issued to them about moving their sheep. Thomas Geoffrey Skinner and Joseph David Skinner trading as the Skinner Brothers of Hazeltongue Farm, Holwell, Leicestershire were each fined 7,000 plus costs of 187.... 16 Jun 2009 Farmers fined £14,000 for moving sheep illegally |
Appeal following assault in Melton | |
| Appeal following assault in Melton Police are appealing for witnesses following the report of an assault on a woman in Melton. The incident happened at around 12.... 17 Jun 2009 Appeal following assault in Melton |
Austin powers into town to open new children's centre | |
| 16 June 2009 Austin powers into town to open new children's centre Rugby legend Austin Healey is getting ready to waltz into Melton to open a new children s centre. The Leicester Tigers and England star, also famed for his foxtrot after an appearance on last year s Strictly Come Dancing TV show, will cut the ribbon at Fairmead Children s Centre, in Drummond Walk, on Thursday, June 25.... 18 Jun 2009 Austin powers into town to open new children's centre |