Vital Top Ten Questions for Consumer Protection from KBSA

Consumers can protect themselves from losing a deposit or their major home improvement purchase if a retailer goes bust by asking a number of vital questions, so says the national trade association for the kitchen bathroom and bedroom industry, the Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association, (KBSA).

The Association has issued the top ten questions and buying guidance as the outlook on the high street shows little sign of recovery and the number of business failures continues to soar.
Leading accountant BDO has warned that the number of business failures in 2009 could be the highest since the dotcom bust in 2002 and they have forecast an 18 per cent leap in company insolvencies to 19,124 in 2009, compared with 16,168 in 2007.

The KBSA questions include:
1. Is my money safe with you?
2. Are you a member of a trade association?
3. Will you manage the whole project for me?
4. What deposit do you take and is it protected?
5. What are the stage payments after the deposit, and are they also protected?
6. Do I have a retention until I sign off the project on completion, and if so, how much?
7. What happens if you go bust?
8. Are you Trustmark registered?
9. If the credit crunch gets worse, and I am affected adversely. Can I get my deposit back?
10. Can I see recent evidence of your association membership, insurance protection and TrustMark status?

The KBSA is urging buyers to heed its advice and seek out retailers who can offer the reassurance of Association membership, financial protection and TrustMark status. A find a retailer service is available on the KBSA website www.kbsa.org.uk along with buying advice and the opportunity to download a consumer guide.

‘It is a sad fact that we are going to see more high street retailers go under in the coming months. Consumers who are caught up in the failure of a business usually have to endure a lot of heartache in order to recover their money and complete the installation of their kitchen, bathroom or bedroom,’ says KBSA CEO Graham Ball.

‘The current economic climate should make all buyers stop and think twice about the importance of dealing with a reputable retailer who can offer peace of mind and deposit protection.’

All KBSA members follow an Approved Code of Practice and are subject to strict monitoring to ensure continued professional service.

Many KBSA members have also been approved to trade as a TrustMark accredited retailers via membership of the KBSA. This Government backed programme is part of its 'anti-cowboy' legislation and helps consumers find reliable and trustworthy professional tradesmen to carry out repairs and improvements to the inside and outside of their homes.

All KBSA members are dedicated to upholding the association's high standards of design, supply, installation and customer service throughout the interiors industry. All members are carefully vetted prior to admission and they must have been trading for at least two years in order to be considered for membership.

The KBSA offers the following guidelines on investing in a home makeover:
1. Visit a company that has a showroom so you can inspect the quality of the product and the standard of installation.
2. Choose a retail member with a track record of good installations and ask to speak to some past customer and even visit them in their homes if possible.
3. Be careful about paying in full for your kitchen in advance. You should not pay a deposit of more than 25% and it is likely that you will be required to make an interim payment, ask for a written payment schedule which includes the timings of any interim payment and final retention.
4. Make sure you have a written quotation that covers every aspect of the job, including fitting, flooring and any structural alterations you may have discussed.
5. Don't sign anything unless you are prepared to honour your side of the contract. Some terms and conditions have expensive cancellation clauses. If in doubt contact the KBSA.

Web: http://www.kbsa.org.uk