Building and maintenance business, RAC Property Services, benefits greatly from TrustMark scheme

Building and maintenance business, RAC Property Services, is celebrating as a result of its accreditation with the government-backed TrustMark approved traders scheme. 

Operated by Merthyr Tydfil Trading Standards with the help of Exor Management Services, the TrustMark scheme has proved immensely beneficial to RAC Property Services’ business.  This is not only because the accreditation gives RAC Property Services’ customers increased confidence that they are working with a trader operating to high standards. 

“There were several reasons we signed up to become TrustMark accredited, one of which was to build a good reputation locally” confirmed Leigh Andrews, owner of RAC Property Services. “We thought having an endorsement would put us in good standing within the local community, and help stamp out cowboy traders. By taking pride in our work and aligning ourselves with Government endorsed standards, we're demonstrating how committed we really are to customer care and offering the best service possible.”

Merthyr Tydfil Trading Standards adopted the Government-backed approved traders’ scheme, TrustMark, to promote upstanding local businesses as well as protect residents from rogue traders. The Trading Standards authority appointed specialist accreditation company, Exor, to help them in the accreditation of Merthyr Tydfil traders who wish to join the scheme and, therefore, benefit from this important assurance for consumers.

“TrustMark is playing a key role in Merthyr Tydfil in the current recession” confirmed Ian McKinnon, Managing Director, Exor. “Not only does it protect families and individuals, but it also stimulates the local economy by empowering consumers to make buying decisions confidently. And traders who achieve TrustMark accreditation benefit from being associated with the scheme, giving them a strong endorsement for potential customers.”

“Since joining the TrustMark scheme, customers have more trust and faith in my company without the need to sell the product to customers in order to win work” continued Mr Andrews.  “As a result, our customer base has grown.  There has been a notable increase in customer referrals from the TrustMark database, and the business is now set apart from the rest of the competition in the area.  RAC Poperty Services is on the TrustMark database, where all customers can browse local companies who have been accredited with TrustMark status.”

Online access to the TrustMark database 365 days a year gives households in Merthyr Tydfil the ability to search for specific types of trades people, secure in the knowledge that any companies they choose are competent, have the right insurances and qualifications, and have their work regularly inspected.  Alternatively, those without internet access can find details of local traders by phoning Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 0845 404 05 06.

Residents will also have the peace of mind that their deposit will be protected should the business fail and, if there is an issue with the quality of the work, there is a clear and user-friendly complaints procedure to help resolve the matter.

“As a customer, inviting someone into your home who you’ve never met before to do work requires a leap of faith.  But with the TrustMark accreditation, I’ve found that customers already have considerable confidence in my skills when I walk through the door”, concludes Mr Andrews.  “This gives RAC Property Services the upper-hand amongst other traders in the area. But saying that, I would hope other building and maintenance companies join the scheme so that standards across the board can improve, and confidence in the industry as a whole can lift.”

When a firm displays the TrustMark logo it signifies that they have fulfilled the following criteria:

• Their technical skills have been independently checked through regular on-site inspections, as well as checks on their trading record and financial status
• They have signed up to a code of practice that includes insurance, good health and safety practices and customer care
• The quality of work, trading practices and customer satisfaction have been checked by Exor and will continue to be monitored 
• They are able to offer an optional Insurance Backed Warranty
• Deposit Protection Insurance is available for consumers in the event of the business going bust
• The company will inform the customer about any building regulations which must be complied with will also be able to provide appropriate certificates
• If there is a problem or disagreement with the company, there is a clear and user – friendly complaints procedure to help resolve the issue.

Traders who wish to join the TrustMark scheme should contact Exor at 0871 930 7274.