TrustMark has launched its free app which provides a ‘one-stop shop’ for consumers looking to better understand the home improvement process.
After working closely together, HSE and TrustMark believe that the app will assist in broadening consumers’ knowledge and confidence in dealing with and asking questions of tradespeople, particularly when this may be their first experience of doing so. This should also help to drive-up professional standards and health and safety practice amongst tradespeople.
Content in the first release includes information a homeowner needs to consider when planning a project – from finding skilled and competent tradespeople, agreeing a contract and what to expect; project timelines; example costs; planning permissions; building regulations and insurance requirements, through to health and safety considerations and much more. It also includes easy links to further helpful information on the TrustMark website, including the Guide to Retrofitting your home
Simon Ayers, CEO of TrustMark, explained: “Getting work done around your home can be a daunting task at any time, particularly knowing which questions to ask and what to look for when engaging tradespeople. We wanted to provide a tool that homeowners could use wherever they were, to help them ask appropriate questions and provide relevant information about the work they want done and how to go about things. By collaborating with the HSE to develop our app, we could ensure that safe working practices as well as standards and protection are driven-up.”
Sarah Jardine, chief inspector of construction at HSE, said: “The reality is that a significant number of serious construction accidents take place on small often domestic jobs. We wanted to find a way to raise standards in the sector by getting our messages about health and safety out alongside other important consumer information about quality and building safety. We support the development of this new app as we think it will help to raise the bar when it comes to what a good domestic project looks like”.
The content will continue to be developed over a period of time with strategic partners to provide consumers with the confidence required to undertake greater levels of simple and complex home improvements.
>>Read more about TrustMark here.
