Despite the huge amount of manpower and industry expertise that’s been focused on it, according to one recent survey, Green Deal ‘has yet to create an awareness amongst the public.’ Only 21% of them claim to have heard anything about the scheme!

And while there is still no official technical guide on energy efficient home improvements, in the meantime, 20 organisations, including the NHIC, are urging the government to tackle the major risk of rogue traders cashing in on Green Deal ancillary work.

Led by TrustMark, the government endorsed quality scheme that directs people to reputable local tradesmen, the group has voiced its concerns about a huge wave of ‘ancillary works’ – repairs and other home improvement work that will be triggered. Yet these fall outside of the scheme’s consumer protection requirements.

The group is calling for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to reinstate important safeguards into Green Deal.

Liz Male, chairman of TrustMark says: “We are united in our desire for a more energy efficient housing stock. But our major concern revolves around an unfortunate decision to drop any safeguards in Green Deal regarding what have been called ‘ancillary works.’

“In effect, these are basic home repairs and maintenance that inevitably will be required before Green Deal improvements can be made.

“We want to see homeowners clearly signposted to where they can find reputable firms to do this work, tradesmen who are properly vetted, insured and working to the well-established Government-endorsed standards that already exist in this market.”

TrustMark and the other important organisations believe there must be an obligation on Green Deal Providers and others to direct domestic customers to reputable firms through TrustMark or members of Competent Person’s schemes.

Liz Male, says: “We also strongly recommend that an integrated, coordinated communications campaign via government, industry and consumer protection groups is established, to ensure consumers are aware of the limits of Green Deal protection as well as the benefits.

“Rogue traders must not be given the chance to profit from the ancillary work and put the entire Green Deal at risk of technical failure and reputational ruin.  Nor must customers be left at the mercy of dodgy referrals, leaflets through the door, telephone directories or unverified information on websites and social media.”

Photo: Liz Male with Vince Cable secretary of state for business, at the launch of TrustMark’s new smartphone app, which also aims to reduce rogue trading

Further information: www.trustmark.org.uk

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OFT has been gathering information in order to carry out a ‘quick review’ ahead of the introduction of the government’s Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO). When launched in October, Green Deal may increase the take-up of energy efficiency measures, such as loft and cavity wall insulation.

In the ‘evidence’, OFT received complaints that some traders were not always installing the most suitable forms of insulation, but used inappropriate materials in houses that were susceptible to damp! It also discovered that some householders found it difficult to obtain quick and effective redress when things went wrong.

In response, the OFT has recommended that the government should ensure that a single body has clear responsibility for longer-term monitoring of installation quality carried out under the government initiatives, and has also proposed changes to improve redress schemes.

The OFT also found there was only a very small number of manufacturers supplying home insulation products, and received complaints about the length of time it could take for new products to be approved.

As part of a wider energy efficiency project looking at products such as double glazing, solar panels and boilers as well as insulation, the OFT has also reviewed almost 4,000 contacts made by consumers to Consumer Direct in 2011 and 2012.

This has highlighted a number of recurring issues including the possible use of confusing and defective paperwork, potentially aggressive and misleading sales techniques and concerns over the quality of products and services. OFT continues to actively examine these issues.

Commenting on the OFT’s findings, Andrew Leech, director of the National Home Improvement Council, points out: “It’s very important that insulation installation is only carried out by accredited workmen using materials that are approved and have the necessary certification which meets energy efficiency requirements.

“Home owners should ensure that they are in contact with the correct organisations dealing with this important aspect of home improvement.

“If a homeowner is not vigilant and does not conscientiously check a firm or person for their bona fide, this is where rogue tradesmen will ‘creep’ in and cause costly problems.

“The NHIC continues to work hard to minimise the numbers of cowboy builders and tradesmen who are costing homeowners millions of pounds each year through poor quality work and materials.”

More information: www.oft.gov.uk and  www.adviceguide.org.uk

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Householders can download very useful OFT material that will help them cope with the often tiresome, embarrassing and potentially costly intrusion of doorstep trades people and salesmen.

OFT points out, doorstep selling is when someone sells goods or services in someone’s home or on their doorstep. It can be a convenient way to buy – but there is a risk that people may not understand their cancellation rights and they may be pressured into buying something they do not want or is not good value for money.

The campaign aims to empower elderly or vulnerable consumers to make effective purchasing decisions when buying on their doorstep and reduce their exposure to rogue traders.

Practical tips for consumers informs them of their rights including:

• Think twice before you buy and if you are made to feel under pressure to make a purchase, have the confidence to say NO!
• Be wary of time-limited or exclusive offers that need to be signed on the spot – this can be a high pressure sales tactic.
• Double check the facts. Do you fully understand the costs and know whether it includes extras like installation, on-going serving charges or warranties?
• Always shop around to compare products and prices.
• Talk to someone you trust for a second opinion.
• If you spend more than £35 with a trader on the doorstep, you usually have seven days in which to cancel (subject to certain conditions).
• If in doubt, call the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 040506 or visit:

More information: www.oft.gov.uk/doorstepselling

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This is a major bonus for homeowners and private and public landlords who can rely on the total expertise and professionalism of these organisations.

The joint arrangement between Comcero , NFRC and NAPIT, means they are all committed to enabling more people to work together successfully when hiring competent, reliable trades people for small and large jobs in the home and work place.

The NFRC is the UK’s largest roofing trade association representing over 70% of the roofing industry by value.

NAPIT’s members are active in the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors and they can register and be assessed by NAPIT in the fields of electrical installation, plumbing, heating and ventilation (which includes air conditioning).

Comcero’s chief executive, Bal Mattu, says: “As fellow members of the NHIC we welcome the opportunity to work with the NFRC to ensure contractors offer the highest standards in workmanship and customer service. Similarly, NAPIT is an organisation committed to consumer safety and operates a comprehensive and rigorous code of practice for its members.”

A free independent local marketplace for services, Comerco is committed to encouraging transparent, ethical business, to help stamp out cowboy builders and rogue traders.

Further information: www.comcero.com

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