Clearview South October 2013 - Issue 143 | Page 25

industrynews

HOMEOWNERS
‘LOSING
CONFIDENCE’ IN
BRITISH TRADESMEN
Homeowners are losing
confidence in British tradesmen,
according to TrustMark, the
government endorsed quality
mark for firms in the home
repair, maintenance and
improvement sector.
At first glance, new research
into public perceptions of
tradesmen commissioned by
TrustMark, indicates that most
people have a good impression
– 71% of respondents felt their
overall experience of using a
tradesman was more positive
than negative. When given a
list of good and bad adjectives
to describe tradesmen, the five
most frequently used words
were ‘skilled’, ‘hardworking’,
‘professional’, ‘helpful’ and
‘trustworthy’.

‘Overall experience
of using a
tradesman was
more positive
than negative’
But almost quarter say they
have had an overall negative
experience with tradesmen, and
more than half of all respondents
(52.5%) felt their perception
of tradesmen had become more
negative because of the ‘cowboy
builder’ TV programmes, which
pursue the worst rogue traders
and criminals masquerading
as tradesmen in the domestic
sector.
Liz Male, chairman of
TrustMark, said: “The appalling
activities of rogue traders are
tarnishing the reputation of
British tradesmen, and this
must stop. The government has

committed to help us extend the
TrustMark scheme so that far
more good local firms can get
the TrustMark badge. We will
be working with these firms, as
well as government and industry
and consumer advice groups, to
boost customers’ confidence in
the many excellent tradesmen in
the sector.”
Key findings from TrustMark’s
poll reveal:
• One in five people would
encourage friends or family
to get a job in the sector only
if there was more recogn