TrustMark announces collaboration to ‘champion reputable traders’
Following the government’s announcement to protect consumers from cowboy builders and rogue bailiffs, TrustMark is announcing a new collaboration with Trusted Payments. The consumer-protection, app-based service aims to help TrustMark Registered Businesses give their customers an easy, secure and transparent way to manage home improvements, from quote to completion.
Features include automatic contracts, project payment plans, and automatic invoice chasing, plus access to the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman for unresolved issues, including non-payment, snagging and the handover process.
From October 2026, it will also automatically raise invoices into QuickBooks or Xero. Businesses can manage the whole process by WhatsApp, email or website.
Simon Ayers MBE, chief executive officer of TrustMark, says:
“Last Friday’s move by government was a welcome and clear signal of intent – to protect consumers, champion reputable traders, and help people spend their money with real confidence and security. Aftercare and resolution when something goes wrong matters, but just as important, and often less visible, is what happens when everything goes right and it’s simply time to pay. That’s where a huge amount of consumer and trade anxiety sits. Consumers pay up front with no security in place or warranty protection, and tradespeople doing good work are having to chase payment.
“The best form of consumer protection is getting the job right the first time. Giving businesses a payment system that’s simple to use, backed up by proper dispute management and workmanship guarantees, means they can focus on what they do best – quality technical installations. Protecting consumers and supporting them through the complaints process in the context of poor installations in their homes is vital to the delivery of trust in the sector. We’re proud to be playing our part alongside Trusted Payments in making that happen.”
The government’s announcement aims to clampdown on cowboy builders and rogue bailiffs.
Businesses who sign up to the Approved Code will be able to demonstrate that they meet higher standards of customer service, transparency and dispute resolution. There will also be a new system to protect people’s money during building projects with payments directly linked to key project milestones.