TrustMark with the HSE is to develop a new and unique ‘one-stop shop’ home improvement App, aimed at helping consumers to better understand the process, requirements and considerations around having home improvement work carried out in their property.
Working in close collaboration with the HSE, TrustMark believes that the App will assist in broadening consumers’ knowledge and confidence in dealing with and asking questions of tradespeople, thereby helping to drive-up professional standards and Health and Safety practice amongst tradespeople.
The App will be available to download for free on Apple and Android devices and will provide information and guidance on all types of home and garden improvements.
Content will include information a homeowner needs to bear in mind when planning a project from finding skilled and competent tradespeople, agreeing a contract and what to expect; project timelines; example costs; planning permissions; building regulations and insurance requirements, through to the Health and Safety considerations and much more. The content will be developed over a period of time with strategic partners to provide consumers with the confidence required to undertake greater levels of simple and complex home improvements.
The App will be developed using The Stationery Office’s (TSO) Mobile App platform, which has already successfully provided the HSE Small Business App and the top-ranking DVSA Theory Test Kit App. It is expected that the App will be available later this year.
Notes:
TrustMark is the only Government-endorsed Quality Scheme covering work carried out in or around the home. Operating across the UK, TrustMark is a not-for-profit social enterprise that continually re-invests in the scheme to support Scheme Providers and Registered Businesses to improve consumer protection and standards across all sectors.
TrustMark operates within a Master Licence Agreement issued by the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
Consumers can access TrustMark registered businesses via the online directory: www.trustmark.org.uk/find-a-tradesperson.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. www.hse.gov.uk