Find a reputable trader
Do you often cross your fingers and hope that the garage that is servicing your car will not rip you off or feel that trying to select a good builder is like playing the lottery?
| Now you can buy with confidence by using a trader from the Buy With Confidence Scheme, reassured in the knowledge that the trader you are using has been approved by Trading Standards. | |
Below are details of other organisations throughout Surrey that can sometimes assist with getting work done in your home:
| Home Improvement Agencies |  |
Home Improvement Agencies are not-for-profit rganizations that assist older, vulnerable or disabled people to live in comfort and security in their own home by giving advice and practical support on house repairs, adaptations and improvements. Some Agencies also run handyman schemes to carry out small works and all can give advice on welfare benefits. Details for all the Home Improvement Agencies across Surrey are given below:
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NB Some other local borough Councils offer similar services. Contact your local council to see if they can assist you.
The national coordinating body for Home Improvement Agencies - Foundations - can direct you to your local agency and provide other useful information. Telephone 01457 891909
| Home Support Services (Guildford) |  |
This service can provide on-going help in the home for frail, elderly disabled people and carers or short-term help for people recovering from an accident or operation. This help will be delivered by self-employed helpers. To qualify for help you can be referred by a doctor, social worker, health visitor, family member or yourself.
Payment for the service is made directly by you to your helper and is £8/£10 per hour. There is an annual registration fee of £30. The service is registered for Carers' Break vouchers.
To qualify for help you can be referred by: a doctor, social worker, health visitor, family member or yourself.
Tel: 01483 454331 (24-hour answer phone service) email: info@hssg.org.uk Address: 39 Castle Street, Guildford, GU1 3UQ |
You may want to contact your local branch of Age Concern to see if they can assist you with finding a trader as some branches of Age Concern have lists of traders or operate home repair/maintenance schemes. Contact details for all the Age Concern's in Surrey are below:
Elmbridge | see Age Concern SURREY below |
Epsom & Ewell | 01372 732456 |
Riverside | 01483 572455 |
Mole Valley (Dorking & District) | 01306 882011 |
Merstham, Reigate & Redhill | 01737 645636 |
Banstead | 01737 352156 |
Runnymede | see Age Concern SURREY below |
Spelthorne | 01784 444200 |
Frimley and Camberley | 01276 707585 |
Tandridge | see Age Concern SURREY below |
Waverley | 01483 548812 |
Woking | see Age Concern SURREY below |
| Age Concern Surrey | 01483 503414 |
Age Concern ENGLAND | 020 8765 7200 |
Other schemes are operated including Trust Mark a government backed scheme to help people access relaibale and trustworthy traders. The office of Fair Trading (OFT) runs a Consumer Code Approval Scheme. Trade bodies whose codes meet the standards set by the OFT can have their codes approved meaning consumers no that traders who belong to those traxde bodies have to abide by a Code of Practice that the OFT has approved.
See Also:
What steps should I take when selecting a trader?
