TrustMark, the UK’s only government-endorsed quality scheme, has launched its new, free, Home Improvement App.
Working in close collaboration with the HSE, TrustMark has developed 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.
HSE and TrustMark believe that the App will assist in broadening consumers’ knowledge and confidence in dealing with and asking questions of tradespeople, particularly when this may be their first experience of doing so. This should also help to drive-up professional standards and Health and Safety practice amongst tradespeople.
The App can be downloaded for free on Apple and Android devices.
Content in the first release includes 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 Health and Safety considerations and much more.
It also includes easy links to further helpful information on the TrustMark website, including the Guide to Retrofitting your home https://bit.ly/Retrofitting-Your-Home
Simon Ayers, CEO TrustMark explains, “Getting work done around your home can be a daunting task at any time, particularly knowing which questions to ask and what to look for when engaging tradespeople. We wanted to provide a tool that homeowners could use wherever they were, to help them ask appropriate questions and provide relevant information about the work they want done and how to go about things. By collaborating with the HSE to develop our App, we could ensure that safe working practices as well as standards and protection are driven-up.”
Sarah Jardine, HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction, “The reality is that a significant number of serious construction accidents take place on small often domestic jobs. We wanted to find a way to raise standards in the sector by getting our messages about health and safety out alongside other important consumer information about quality and building safety. We support the development of this new app as we think it will help to raise the bar when it comes to what a good domestic project looks like”.
The content will continue to 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 has been 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.
To download the App on Google Play, click here
Or download the App on the Apple App Store here
