http://www.checkatrade.com/Press Keep updated with the latest press releases from Checkatrade. Promoting Recommended, Vetted and Monitored tradesman since 1998. en-gb Copyright 1998-2008 Vetted Ltd kathy.simmonds@checkatrade.com Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT 1440 http://www.checkatrade.com/Images/CheckatradeRSS.gif http://www.checkatrade.com/Press 88 31 http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Sussex_Businesses_Scoop_Awards.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=42 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT The end of the year invariably heralds in the Award Season for businesses up and down the country: 2009 was no exception. Sussex-based companies The Creative Woodworking Company and Justwood Flooring have both been recognised in recent local awards. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/LITTLEHAMPTON_CONTRACTOR_RECOGNISED_FOR_LANDSCAPING_PROJECT.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=41 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT Littlehampton-based Arun Driveways, has scooped a top award at this year’s prestigious Brett Approved Installer Awards. The company picked up Gold in the category of Best Small Patio for its work creating a sympathetic courtyard in a property in the historic location of Petworth Park. They were presented with a heavy duty digital camera as part of their prize, to help capture future prize-winning projects! http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Beware_Rogue_Traders_About.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=40 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT The recent spell of bad weather and high winds has left many householders with damage to their properties, from broken roof tiles to fallen fences. Such extremes of weather are predicted to continue into the weekend, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Unfortunately, weather conditions like these present an opportunity for the unscrupulous to prey on people wanting to get repairs done quickly. They will go door to door offering their services. More often than not, they will charge an extortionate fee, demanding payment in cash, for what invariably turns out to be substandard work. Kevin Byrne, founder of Checkatrade.com vividly remembers the chaos rogue traders caused after a devastating tornado ripped through his former home town of Selsey, West Sussex. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/The_Key_to_Success_is_Service_Plus.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=39 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:00:00 GMT It is a time of celebration for the owners and staff of Farnham based plumbing company Service Plus. Over one thousand of their satisfied customers have submitted feedback to Checkatrade.com, the place to find a trader. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Bright_Sparks_Keep_Safe.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=38 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT A recent study from the NICEIC, the leading UK regulatory body for the electrical industry, shows that 74% of the population are unaware that electrical work done in the home is subject to law under Part P of the Building Regulations. Despite the fact that over 12,500 house fires, 750 serious injuries and 10 deaths every year are caused by unsafe electrical repairs, a massive 63% of householders are still willing to undertake such work themselves, without having the necessary skills to do so. Checkatrade, the household name to find a vetted and monitored trade, is backing the NICEIC “Don’t Take The P Out of Your Home” campaign, highlighting the requirements of Part P of the Building Regulations to householders. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Dorset_tradesman_Wins_Britains_Tradesman_of_the_Year_.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=37 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT Hi-Q Installations, a window, door and conservatory specialist of Poole in Dorset, has been named as Britain’s top tradesman in a competition sponsored by Budget Van Insurance and Checkatrade.com. The lucky owner, John Chaloner, scoops the top prize of £2000 and a year’s membership to Checkatrade.com – the household name to find a vetted and recommended trade – as well as the coveted title of “Tradesman of the Year 2009”. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Is_It_All_Rubbish.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=36 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT Walk around any city, town or village this summer and you are bound to see several skips, full of the debris from home improvement projects. But is it all really rubbish? Is it absolutely necessary for a perfectly re-useable kitchen sink, for instance, to be thrown away, adding to the UK’s waste mountain? Is there another way? Tradeleftovers.com is the answer. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/DO_TRADERS_GET_A_RAW_DEAL.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=34 Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT On almost a daily basis it seems, the public are bombarded with stories of rogue builders, plumbers, roofers, landscapers and so on. The honest trader in Britain is being smeared unjustly with the same brush as those whose sole aim is to make a fast buck at someone else’s expense. How can an honest tradesperson set themselves apart from these rogues? Checkatrade.com, the place to find a vetted and monitored trader, provides the solution. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Ukrainian_Children_Thrown_Transport_Lifeline.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=33 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT What do you do when a dozen needy children and their helpers from the Ukraine need transport for a week and you only have enough for half of them? The answer for Selsey resident Sarah Phillips was simple – you ask your boss for the use of the company mini-bus for a week. Checkatrade founder Kevin Byrne’s reply was equally simple – a resounding “YES!” http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/The_Time_Is_Up_for_Rogue_Traders.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=32 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT A little over 10 years ago, a Selsey business man had a dream – to isolate rogue traders by giving householders the ability to check out and source vetted tradespersons such as builders, electricians and so on. Today that dream is a thriving reality called Checkatrade. (www.checkatrade.com.) http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Businessman_Declares_No_Recession_Here.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=31 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT At a time when the UK has been officially declared to be in recession, Checkatrade, www.checkatrade.com, founder and CEO Kevin Byrne, announced that the Selsey, West Sussex company is still growing at an average 3.5% per month. Turnover in the 2007-08 year increased from £1.2 million last year to £1.8 million. Over 15,000 individual people now use the Checkatrade website every day to search for vetted and monitored traders, doubling the number from the same time last year. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Get_your_Tools_at_the_Ready_for_Tradesman_of_the_Year.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=30 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Budget Van Insurance and Checkatrade are joining forces to launch the ‘Tradesman of the Year 2009’ competition; championing the skills of Britain’s most talented tradesmen and women. The contest provides the cream of the UK’s trade workforce with the chance to win a £2000 cash prize and scoop the coveted ‘Tradesman of the Year 2009’ title. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Birthday_Party_Raises_800_for_Charity.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=28 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Selsey based company Checkatrade.com (www.checkatrade.com) is celebrating 10 years of successful business this year and marked the occasion with an anniversary party. Over 200 hundred staff and members of Checkatrade attended the event, held at the Hilton Avisford Park Hotel in Walberton. Many of the guests attending had been members of Checkatrade right from the start. These members were honoured for their support and presented with specially commissioned cartoons, drawn by renowned cartoonist Danny Byrne. Each cartoon was specific to the particular trader and a “one off”. Checkatrade staff also honoured Founder and CEO Kevin Byrne with a voucher for a “Ferrari Experience Day”. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Castle_Kitchens_Send_Out_Meals_to_The_Streets.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=29 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT When Sussex-based food manufacturer Castle Kitchens Ltd (www.castle-kitchens.com) found that they had a freezer full of in - date ready meals surplus to requirements, they began to think of ways of clearing them without adding to the food “waste mountain”. Instead, director Erica Sheward decided to donate all 1900 meals to Brighton-based charity Crossover, a division of City Coast Church (www.citycoastchurch.co.uk). http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Thriving_In_the_Midst_of_Turmoil.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=27 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT In these current difficult times, when money is tight and credit hard to get hold of, how does a self employed trader ensure that their business not only survives, but thrives? How do they ensure the work keeps coming in and the appointment book rarely empty? Successful entrepreneur and Checkatrade.com founder Kevin Byrne has put together a “Guide to Thriving in the Midst of Turmoil”, based on his own experiences in business and those of Checkatrade members. Kevin says, “In these uncertain times, when trades and service providers are no longer booked up months in advance, but only weeks or even days, it has never been more important to ensure that you are doing everything possible to impress current and future customers. These are my suggestions to the small business owner to help their businesses continue to thrive in the midst of economic uncertainty.” http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Checkatrade_Goes_Pink.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=26 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Staff at Selsey based Checkatrade.com (www.checkatrade.com) went pink on Friday to raise money in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All of the fifteen staff members who were in the offices on Friday took part by dressing in items of pink clothing, including hats, hair and shoes. One even turned up in pink pyjamas. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Traders_Provide_Solid_Foundation.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=25 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT The Checkatrade Charity Foundation, the benevolent arm of Checkatrade.com, has added the Exodus Foundation to the portfolio of aid organisations it supports via monthly donations from Checkatrade trade members and staff. The Foundation recently handed a cheque for £1000 to Exodus in order to avert a food supply crisis at the Mityana Orpahanage in Uganda. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/300000_New_Listeners_Tune_In_to_Find_the_Best_Trades.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=24 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT Checkatrade, the web-based information and directory service that helps reputable tradespersons to stand out from the rogues, has agreed radio sponsorships with Southern region stations, Power FM and 2CR FM. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Low_Cost_and_Green_New_Products_Launched.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=23 Thu, 29 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT Tradeleftovers.com, a division of Checkatrade, is introducing a new range of products on its website. The goods are unused products being sold at significantly reduced prices. Ladders, patio awnings, shower cubicles, sinks, plumbing and building supplies, and much more, delivered to any UK mainland address. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Tradesman_Demolishes_Own_Building_Work.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=22 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT Checkatrade founder and CEO Kevin Byrne has backed the call for traders to be given legal protection against “rogue customers” after Checkatrade member Nigel Gray was forced to demolish his own building work when a customer repeatedly refused to pay up. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/DriveThrough_Sponsorship_is_a_Dream.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=20 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT Checkatrade are pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with Hampshire radio station Dream 107.2 FM. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Checkatrade_Motors_On_with_Southern_FM.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=21 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT Checkatrade has revealed a new partnership with Southern FM, one of the South's biggest and most listened to radio stations.They have landed one of the station’s four flagship sponsorships: The Drivetime show, featuring Dan Glasser and Lynsey Bartlett. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Prove_It_Increased_Intolerance_for_Unbacked_Traders.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=19 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Consumers demanding that the traders they let into their homes are vetted and monitored before they employ them have helped fuel a recent surge in membership of the West Sussex-based firm Checkatrade.com. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/National_Winner_Drives_High_Standards.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=18 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT Bretts, national supplier of landscaping and building products have recently awarded Checkatrade (www.checkatrade.com) member George Frost of Arun Driveways, the title of Southern Region Installer of the Year for the third year in a row. In addition, a driveway built by George and his team was named “National Driveway Of The Year” beating competition from all over the UK. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Checkatrade_Reports_Record_Traffic_On_Website.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=16 Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Checkatrade, an answer to the UK’s rogue trade problem, report a significant increase in the numbers of unique visitors to their website, www.checkatrade.com, and also the number of traders joining on a monthly basis. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Renovators_Avoid_Rogue_Traders_With_Checkatrade.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=15 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Checkatrade an answer to the UK’s rogue trade problem, has joined forces with home renovation forum, www.renovationcentral.co.uk to make choosing a reputable trader easier and simpler. The facility, called an Application Programme Interface, or API, allows members of the Renovation Central forum to search the Checkatrade database of trades without leaving the Renovation Central website. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Checkatrade_Launches_Home_Emergency_Cover_For_Only_795_A_Month.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=14 Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Checkatrade (http://www.checkatrade.com) in conjunction with Home Assistance UK Ltd announce the launch of Checkatrade Fast Fix Cover, an insurance policy designed to provide homeowners with a tradesperson on their doorstep, wherever possible, within three hours of an emergency occurring, regardless of the day or time for only £7.95 a month. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Tradesmen_Help_Rebuild_Lives_in_Brighton.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=10 Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT Brighton and Hove tradesmen, through their membership of Checkatrade.com, (www.checkatrade.com) are helping to rebuild the lives of those less fortunate than themselves by supporting Brighton based charity, Crossover. Checkatrade is assisting Crossover, an arm of City Coast Church, in their work with the homeless, and people living “on the edge”, of Brighton by a massive £7000 per year. This money is used to help provide hot meals delivered to the streets of Brighton every week, as well as blankets, clothing, soap, toothpaste and hot drinks. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Checkatrade_Issues_Rogue_Trade_Warning.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=13 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT Checkatrade has today issued a warning concerning the illegal use of their name and logo in the Surrey region. Rogue traders are fraudulently claiming Checkatrade membership to gain credibility as they cold call in search of work, and some have even threatened householders when discovered. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Selsey_Based_Company_Aq.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=12 Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT Selsey based company, Checkatrade.com (http://www.checkatrade.com) have this week finalised the purchase of just under an acre of development land in Manor Road, Selsey. Checkatrade, an answer to the UK’s rogue trade problem, intends to build offices on the land to accommodate its growing business and to provide more employment opportunities in the Selsey area. http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Checkatrade_Reveals_Revamped_Website.html http://www.checkatrade.com/Press/Release.aspx?id=1 Sun, 30 Sep 2007 23:00:00 GMT Checkatrade (http://www.checkatrade.com), one of the first ‘anti rogue trader’ websites to open for business in the UK, is celebrating its growth as a champion of informed consumer choices by launching a revamped website today.