TrustMark has launched an important Green Deal advice guide for householders on what to do when home improvements or repairs are not covered by the Government’s new initiative. It’s a available to download free from www.trustmark.org.uk/green-deal/.
Liz Male, TrustMark’s chairman, says:
“Green Deal is the Government’s new campaign to help boost the energy efficiency and comfort of our homes and we want it to be a roaring success.
“However, we also know that when we start installing solid wall insulation, putting in new heating systems and doing other work to upgrade our homes – the oldest housing stock in Europe – we are going to find that many properties need essential repairs and other maintenance work that may have been hidden for years!
“Much of that work is not going to be covered by the Green Deal or its consumer protection safeguards, and in that situation we need householders to turn to their local TrustMark-registered tradesmen.
TrustMark was aiming is to ensure that the Green Deal could be used by rogue traders as an opportunity to mislead and rip off the public. TrustMark had lobbied hard for a Green Deal code of practice that included clear advice to Providers that they must make sure any ‘ancillary works’ were done by properly vetted and insured tradesmen such as TrustMark-registered firms who worked to Government-endorsed standards.
According to Male: “Our warning to homeowners, many of whom will not yet understand the full details of what Green Deal is all about, is that not all building work or other home improvements and repairs will be covered by a Green Deal Plan and its consumer protection safeguards.
“Homeowners must be very clear with their Green Deal Provider about what is or isn’t included. Many homes will need essential repairs before any energy saving measures can be safely or effectively installed.”
So TrustMark’s advice to all of its customers is to check the credentials of any Green Deal firm. Don’t be tempted to ask an installer to do extra property repair work just because they are in your home anyway. And always insist on using a TrustMark-registered tradesman for any home repair, maintenance or improvement work.
TrustMark, is the Government endorsed quality mark for tradesmen
Further information: www.trustmark.org.uk