1 November 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Checkatrades' latest press coverage
"Take your time and leave the place tidy"
SUMMARY
Published Housebuilder & Developer, Architects Datafile & Building Construction Design
PRESS RELEASE
They say an Englishman’s home is his castle and tradespeople should wipe their feet on the way in - according to new research conducted amongst 2,000 UK homeowners by Checkatrade.com, the UK's most trusted website for monitoring the reputation of tradespeople. Two-thirds of homeowners prefer to employ a tradesperson who clears up after himself, as opposed to one who gets the job done in no time but who leaves behind muddy footprints. This figure is highest in East Anglia and Scotland (67%).
Meanwhile, 1 in 7 busy homeowners are more concerned with whether their tradesperson turns up to the job on time, especially so in Northern Ireland where a quarter believe punctuality is key. Manners maketh the man for a further 1 in 7 homeowners who say being polite is the way to win them over.
Overalls won’t do!
But spare a thought for dishevelled tradespeople. For 1 in 20 people, builders arriving in scruffy overalls simply won’t do – they say it’s more important than anything else that their tradesperson is clean and well presented.
Commenting on the findings, Kevin Byrne, founder of Checkatrade, said: “Our research findings just go to show that tradespeople competing in difficult times need to offer the whole package – accuracy, speed, punctuality, politeness and to be presentable. Homeowners consider it vital for tradespeople to treat their properties with respect.
“Reputation matters. Word of mouth and recommendation are immensely powerful and this is what we have built our business on. Customers remember a job well done, but neither will they be quick to forget poor service.”
Visit the Checkatrade website for an online directory of genuine, vetted tradespeople.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Checkatrade helps combat the UK's rogue trader problem by continuously vetting and monitoring local traders such as builders, plumbers and electricians. The idea was born in 1998 after a tornado hit the small West Sussex town of Selsey. Traders poured in from as far away as Liverpool and Manchester. Unfortunately, some ripped off the inhabitants of the town. Local businessman, Kevin Byrne, realised there was nowhere to check out the traders’ credentials and the company that became Checkatrade was formed.
Since then, Checkatrade has grown to include over 6,300 genuine trade members, growing by an average 120 new members every month, and, via the Royal Mail, distributes 5.9 million directories a year into communities throughout Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Dorset and Berkshire, while the website includes traders from across the UK.
CONTACT INFORMATION
PR / Marketing, Checkatrade
5 - 6 Sherrington Mews, Ellis Square, Selsey, West Sussex, PO20 0FJ
Tel: 01243 601234
Fax: 01243 601246
info@checkatrade.com
