TrustMark

TrustMark is the UK's Government Endorsed Quality Scheme for work that consumers choose to have carried out in or around their homes. Businesses registered with TrustMark have been vetted against required standards and commit to good customer service. Its website is trustmark.org.uk.

How it works

Businesses are vetted through scheme providers, such as trade associations and certification bodies, that check firms in specific trades. Businesses that pass are listed as TrustMark Registered Businesses for the trades they are approved for.

Requirements generally cover:

• technical competence in the trade;
• trading practices and customer care;
• financial and insurance arrangements;
• complaint handling and access to dispute resolution.

Finding a tradesperson

TrustMark's website has a Find a tradesperson search, with a guided option for people unsure what kind of trade they need and an advanced search. It advises consumers to check that a business is registered for the specific trade they need, since a firm may be approved for some trades and not others.

Relevance to roofing

The UK has no general legal licence for roofers. Instead, consumers rely on several signals of competence:

• TrustMark registration for the roofing trade;
• membership of trade associations such as the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) or the Confederation of Roofing Contractors (CORC);
• registration in a Competent Person Scheme, which lets firms self-certify re-roofing work under the building regulations;
• references, written quotations and insurance-backed warranties.

TrustMark registration can also be a condition of some government-funded home energy-efficiency work, such as certain insulation measures, which may overlap with roofing projects.

Comparison

Other countries handle trade quality differently. Many U.S. states and Australian states license contractors directly, while Germany requires a master craftsman qualification to run certain trade businesses.