Sep 19
While DIY Doctor is broadly in favour of making planning regulations less bound up with red tape they have to agree with TrustMark who warn that consumers need more advice when planning building works – and the bigger the project the more guidance they may need.
TrustMark and DIY Doctor are both very keen to promote good, honest, reliable tradesmen and to try to eradicate the cowboy builder.
As the chairman of Trustmark, Liz Male, comments: “. . . through initiatives like this and the forthcoming Green Deal, the risk is that we leave too many people at the mercy of rogue traders and cowboy builders . . . If Government wishes to deregulate this sector, even for a short period, then it must also help by signposting people to reputable firms and good sources of advice.”
Trustmark is a government-endorsed agency which has over 21,000 licenced tradespeople on their website. To be eligible to be be listed every firm is inspected and checked by experienced inspectors. DIY Doctor has chosen to work solely in conjunction with TrustMark to help homeowners find reputable tradespersons to carry out building works on their homes. They are the only online trades listing who ensure the firms are accredited. To find suitable tradespeople in your area visit DIY Doctor’s find a tradesman area.
Liz Male adds: “We would always advise anyone considering building an extension, conservatory, loft conversion or other major building work to use a contract with their tradesmen. The free TrustMark app is a particularly important tool that can help with that, prompting you to ask all the right questions.”
We have a free building contract on DIY Doctor which will help to clarify all the stages of your project and if used properly will improve communication between you and your builder, avoiding some of the pitfalls, and helping to resolve any possible disputes.
Go to our section on Home Improvement Protection Solution (HIPS) where you can download a free Desired Outcome Contract.
Sep 01
As our regular blog readers will know DIY Doctor have a bit of a crusade going to try to improve standards across the building industry. One of the ways we aim to do this is by supplying customers with the information they need to make sensible and informed choices when employing tradesmen.
This interest is shared by the NHIC (National Home Improvement Council) and we are pleased to see that they are releasing a series of articles which aim to highlight some of the most popular home improvement projects that homeowners want to tackle, and give them the information they need to do it (or get it done) safely efficiently and cost effectively.
We will be keeping an eye out for such subjects as
Basements & cellars
Home insulation
Extensions
Green Deal
Lighting
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Renewable heating
In the mean time have a browse through our project pages to see similar themes.
If you are considering employing workmen then check out HIPS (Home Improvers Protection Scheme), by clicking on the button on the left.
Here you will find lots of help in avoiding cowboy builders including a FREE desired outcome contract.
Aug 31
With only four weeks to go until the start of The National Home Improvement Show, we thought we should give you the low-down on what DIY Doctor will be up to during the show.
DIY Doctor will be hosting the Tricks of the Trade Theatre for the three days (28th – 30th September) and the timetable of presentations by the DIY Doctor himself, Mike Edwards, for each day is:
11.00 – How to skim plaster your walls
This presentation takes you through preparing the wall for plastering, mixing and applying the plaster and finally how to get it flat and smooth. You will also find out how to mend holes in plasterboard.
12.30 – How to avoid cowboy builders
There is a lot of news in the media about ‘Cowboy Builders’ and how they ruin lives – but there is very little advice given to help you avoid them. This presentation will give advice on how to find reliable tradesmen and cover how to make sure
· you obtain accurate references
· your builder is adequately insured during the work
· you are covered against accidents
· the finished work is satisfactory
· follow-up snagging is completed
14.00 – How to skim plaster your walls
This presentation takes you through preparing the wall for plastering, mixing and applying the plaster and finally how to get it flat and smooth. You will also find out how to mend holes in plasterboard.
15.30 – How to tile your bathroom
Often the smallest room in the house but the most difficult to decorate! Learn how to get tiles to fit perfectly around toilet, basin and bath with minimum wastage and maximum effect.
Don’t forget you can get two FREE TICKETS to the show, being held at Olympia, just by clicking here or on the banner below!
Aug 27
Here at DIY Doctor, we know that some of you Home Improvers and DIY’ers cannot get enough of the subject and that you read, listen and watch anything that comes out. If however you are too busy doing it to watch it you may be unaware of Dom Littlewood’s series on BBC1 ‘Don’t Get Done, Get Dom’.
We were pleased to see TrustMark Chairman, Liz Male on episode 6 where she detailed some of the key things householders need to do to protect themselves and how best to work with contractors who use sub-contractors. She was keen to point out that if a member of the public uses a TrustMark firm which in turn uses sub-contractors they remain protected as detailed in Trustmark’s core Criteria. The member firm remains liable and responsible for any work done.
In case you were not aware of how Trustmark works you should watch again if you can.
Check out our HIPS page (Home Improver Protection Solution), for more information on Trustmark and other ways of avoiding the cowboy builder.
Aug 22
DIY Doctor is a staunch supporter of the Trustmark scheme to help homeowners find honest, qualified, insured tradesmen when they need work done on their homes.
As the brand grows in popularity and gains kudos with the public Trustmark has become increasingly aware of dishonest tradesmen taking their logo and mis-using it to gain the trust of consumers.
It is easy for these tradesmen to illegally use the Trustmark logo, and it is difficult to stop it. However Trustmark is working hard with Trading Standards to monitor any unauthorised use of the TrustMark logo by any UK firm which is not a member.
They warn that they will take swift legal action against any offenders. Initially they will receive a letter notifying them that they do not have the right to use the logo and must remove all references from their website or company documentation within 14 days.
After that if the offender continues Trading Standards will get involved to take enforcement action.
You can check that the tradesman you intend to use is legitimately approved by Trustmark by going to their website and putting the name of the company or tradesman in the box on the bottom left hand corner of the home page.
Trustmark say “At the moment we have a number of on-going cases that are being actively investigated, pursued and dealt with.”
Cowboy builders beware!
For more help on avoiding cowboy builders click here.
