John Denham has joined the campaign to protect people from cowboy builders and rogue tradespeople by backing the TrustMark scheme.  TrustMark is the Government-backed initiative, supported by the building industry and consumer protection organizations, that helps householders find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to carry out repair and improvements to the inside and outside of their homes – from builders and plumbers to roofing specialists and landscape gardeners.  TrustMark standards include competence, financial standing and fair and independent redress mechanisms. 

Mr Denham, the Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, said “The problem of cowboy builders and rogue tradespeople in the domestic repair, maintenance and improvement sector is a very serious one.  Year after year, trading standards officers receive complaints about building related work that is carried out around the UK.  Cowboy builders and rogue traders are an annual £1.5billion problem for householders across the country.  They ruin the homes and lives of hundreds of thousands of people every year, and give a bad name to an industry which in reality is full of hard-working and trustworthy professionals.  TrustMark offers an excellent scheme at no extra cost to the consumer.“

TrustMark’s priority is to protect all householders and is also about education and about introducing choice.  People can now choose: they can hire a good quality reputable tradesman who is TrustMark approved, or they can go for the cash-in-hand rogue with only a mobile phone number for contact and no references or accreditations.

MPs were asked to help in getting this message out to all their constituents, so that they can now realise they have a choice and can be protected against cowboy builders and rogue Traders that operate locally to them.

John Denham said “TrustMark is making a difference and with consumers’ help it can guide and support, ensuring it becomes more difficult for the rogues to take advantage of us, our families, parents and friends. For help visit: www.trustmark.org.uk.”