Quality Mark Scheme
Introduction
The Quality Mark Builders scheme, currently a UK program, will allow householders to find a reputable builder for a fair price. By using a Quality Mark builder they will have the comfort of knowing that the company has been subject to a rigorous and independent inspection, including an on-site inspection of their work, that the builder will work to a Quality Mark code of good practice and also give a free six-year warranty on their work.
main features
- Government backed scheme setting and promoting high standards in general building and specialists trades
- National call centre open to builders and consumers
- Regular independent inspection of builders and their work
- Skilled and qualified builders and tradesmen
- QM code of practice on customer care
- Health and safety compliance
- Good environmental practice
- Financial probity checks
- Automatic comprehensive 6 year warranty on all work
- Independent complaints system
- All QM builders will be registered and have identity cards
- Consumers will be able to check credentials of QM firms if they are in any doubt
benefits for the builder
The Quality Mark will:
- Independently confirm your business competence and reputation to your customer
- Give you a competitive edge in the market place
- Give you access to customers who value quality and piece of mind
- Enable you to offer a unique 6 year warranty on all work
- Make details of your business known to every consumer in your area through a widely publicized single telephone hotline
- Undertake a major and ongoing advertising campaign to promote the Quality Mark and encourage the consumer to use QM builders in your area
- Provide an independent complaints procedure that will protect you from malicious complaints and give evidence to pursue bad debts; and
- Give guidance to householders on how to deal fairly with builders and pay bills
benefits for the householder
- Quality Mark backed by the government
- Complete piece of mind when employing a Quality Mark builder or trades person
- Only best builders and trades people will get the Quality Mark
- All builders independently and regularly inspected
- All building work automatically guaranteed for six years
- All deposits paid in advance of building work protected
- If a firm goes bust before work is completed, the QM warranty will ensure job completed by another reputable builder
- One telephone call (charged at a local rate) to find a reputable builder - or visit the QM website
- Easy to understand contracts for work
- Simple complaints system and independent adjudication
- Apart from the cost of the telephone call, the service is free to householders
