TrustMark, the Government endorsed quality mark for tradesmen, is launching an urgent new advice guide for householders on what to do when home improvements or repairs are not covered by the Government’s new Green Deal which went live on Monday 28 January.

Liz Male, Chairman of TrustMark, said: "The Green Deal is the Government's new campaign to boost the energy efficiency and comfort of our homes and we want it to be a roaring success. However, we also know that when we start installing solid wall insulation, putting in new heating systems and doing other work to upgrade our homes – the oldest housing stock in Europe – we are going to find that many properties need essential repairs and other maintenance work that may have been hidden for years. Much of that work is not going to be covered by the Green Deal or its consumer protection safeguards, and in that situation we need householders to turn to their local TrustMark-registered tradesmen.

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"Our aim is to ensure that the Green Deal cannot be used by rogue traders as an opportunity to mislead and rip off the public. TrustMark has lobbied hard for a Green Deal code of practice which includes clear advice to Green Deal Providers that they must make sure any ‘ancillary works’ are done by properly vetted and insured tradesmen like TrustMark-registered firms who work to Government-endorsed standards.

"Our warning to homeowners, many of whom will not yet fully understand the full details of what Green Deal is all about, is that not all building work or other home improvements and repairs will be covered by a Green Deal Plan and its consumer protection safeguards. Homeowners must be very clear with their Green Deal Provider about what is or isn’t included. Many homes will need essential repairs before any energy saving measures can be safely or effectively installed. Our advice to all customers is to check the credentials of any Green Deal firm, don’t be tempted to ask an installer to do extra property repair work just because they are in your home anyway, and always insist on using a TrustMark-registered tradesman for any home repair, maintenance or improvement work."

(CD)