TrustMark Levels the Playing Field for Independents, says FairTrades

‘With major kitchen and bathroom retailers - such as Homebase and Magnet - now having been accredited by TrustMark; it is even more important for independent businesses to seek 'equality of perception' through their own TrustMark recognition’,
says Nick Egdell, Managing Director of FairTrades - the leading multi-trade association and TrustMark Approved Scheme Operator (ASO). TrustMark - the award-winning scheme supported by Government, the building industry and consumer groups - is designed to help consumers seeking home improvements find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople.

‘As major national retailers - with the power of TV advertising and multiple outlets behind them - enhance their installation credibility with TrustMark’, continues Egdell, ‘it is even more critical that independents better establish their own bona fides to resist such fierce competition’.

To that extent, TrustMark is objective and confers the same halo of worthiness on all businesses, whether large and small. And as consumers are likely to become more discerning - as the credit squeeze continues - as to the 'who', 'when' and even 'if' of home improvements; they will be seeking extra reassurance from their suppliers before committing to major projects.

‘TrustMark is not only proof of a business's confidence in itself’, says Egdell; ‘but gives the consumer additional incentives to favour accredited installation companies through increasing confidence in their potential suppliers’.

FairTrades has been promoting its vetted trade professional members for over 20 years; and has been a TrustMark ASO since 2006. Members reap the benefits of increased marketing, business support, sales leads and special offers; while homeowners benefit from access to the largest directory of quality ranked home improvement professionals who uphold the values of the Homeowner's Charter. It is now one of the largest multi-trade associations in the UK, and is approved to register - among other trades - kitchen and bathroom specialists to TrustMark.

Egdell concludes: ‘By securing TrustMark accreditation - through a multi-trade ASO such as FairTrades - the professional retail installer equips themselves to withstand the challenges presented by the national brands; and can only stand to secure and increase their own sales and profitability’.

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