TrustMark, the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme for
tradespeople, is today announcing the launch of a new Business and Consumer
Portal, providing a secure, free and convenient platform for businesses and
their customers to communicate and be transparent with each other.
The portals, which are available on the TrustMark website, are part of
TrustMark’s commitment to make it as easy as possible for consumers to find
reputable tradespeople. They will also be strengthened with advice and
guidance that supports the Scheme’s Code of Conduct and Customer Charter.
TrustMark Registered Businesses and consumers will now be able to exchange
messages, photographs, plans and any other relevant documents through the
portal, keeping all communications in one convenient place. This method
will ensure total clarity on both sides regarding the nature of the work
agreed, costings, delivery dates and expected outcomes.
Consumers can now request a quote for work directly through their portal
account. By doing so, each selected Registered Business will receive an
email inviting them to log into the TrustMark Business Portal where they can
view any new enquiries.
When quotations have been submitted in response to enquiries, the consumer will
be notified through the portal and can accept or reject the quote, or request
further information. Businesses will be able to see what enquiries are
new or open at any time and will be immediately notified by email if the status
of an enquiry changes, for example, if a quote is accepted or a question is
asked. Once a quote has been accepted and a project is ongoing, either side can
track progress and request info or record updates as and when required.
Registered Businesses now have the option to personalise their profile on the
TrustMark website, allowing them to add company logos, photographs of previous
work and highlight areas of specialism and the locations they cover.
Businesses using this service will also have access to a range of free template
documents such as contracts and invoices
Simon Ayers, Chief Executive Officer of TrustMark, said: “The development of
this new functionality of our website is part of our commitment to not only
ease consumer access to reputable tradespeople, but to actively champion the
businesses we know are doing the right thing. We believe this portal will
make choosing to use a TrustMark Registered Business simpler than ever for
consumers, and by making the quote request process as simple and barrier-free
as possible, this will vastly increase the possibility of enquiries
transforming into paying customers. We will retain our status as a
not-for-profit social enterprise and have no intention to turn into a paid-for
lead generation service – we simply want to provide a service that tangibly
benefits each of our businesses and helps consumers.”
The portals are part of a series of initiatives designed to help TrustMark
Registered businesses and consumers improve their communications. Future
releases will also include the ability to accept card payments and provide
access to finance options.
For further information about TrustMark, visit www.trustmark.org.uk.
