Five hundred firms join Quality Mark Scheme

Five hundred firms are now on the government-backed Quality Mark Scheme, designed to promote good builders and help homeowners avoid the rogue traders.

The latest figures show that in addition to 500 firms now accredited to the scheme, there are 765 companies going through the
assessment process and the website has registered 126,312 hits to date from the public.

Recruitment continues apace, as the only government-backed national register of approved firms working in the home improvement market is being unveiled to thousands of firms in the North West of England during October and November via a series of trade launches. This enhanced enlistment drive aims to deliver a step change increase in membership.

Construction minister Nigel Griffiths said: "Many hundreds more firms are queuing up to join the scheme. The attraction is obvious not only is it free for most firms to join, it offers them considerable business benefits."