| Do tradesmen make you tremble |
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| Written by Jim | |
| Saturday, 17 May 2008 | |
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Research unveiled today shows the majority of people in the UK (58%) suffer from oikodomophobia, a condition that leaves them with trembling with fear when dealing with tradesmen on their doorstep1.
This is the conclusion of a consumer poll by TrustMark, the Government-backed scheme to help the general public find reputable tradespeople, which reveals that even the most confident people - from managing directors to market traders used to haggling - admit they suffer from sweaty palms when negotiating with plumbers, builders and roofers. The research, conducted among 1,000 UK homeowners, also shows that this “doorstep panic” results stems from ignorance of what home renovation jobs actually entail – six in ten (60%) say they they’ve employed tradespeople to carry out work, from replacing a kitchen sink to repairing a heating system, without understanding exactly what needs to be done. Worryingly, one in ten people (11%) even admit to not conducting thorough background checks on potential tradesmen and dive straight in to letting them into their home and getting them to start work. Ian Livsey, Chairman of Trustmark said “There’s no shame in asking loads of questions and getting a layperson’s explanation before you sign a deal for home improvement work. Without this approach, we all run a huge risk of misunderstanding and not getting the best from our tradespeople. “We all need to get better at doing our homework when it comes to home improvement. I’d encourage people to shop around, get quotes and references, and select a tradesman that is registered with Trustmark – that way you can be sure you are dealing with a reputable firm.” To better educate UK homeowners, TrustMark has unveiled its ‘top tips’ for dealing with tradesmen: 1. Use the TrustMark website, to find registered firms near you or consult local directories and the local press to find a trader that displays the TrustMark logo 2. Check their credentials with the relevant TrustMark scheme operator, and make sure the firms are qualified for the job you have in mind 2. Get quotes from three of them, all based on the same specification, and ask for some references you can check 3. Once you’ve chosen the right firm, make sure you get a written contract specifying the work, the price and other key details. 4.Agree start and completion dates before the work starts.. 5.Receive written confirmation of any guarantees being provided by the firm |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 17 May 2008 ) |
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