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.