What is the difference between the Register of Contractors and the Buy with Confidence list operated by Trading Standards?
The ‘Buy with Confidence’ initiative is a partnership between companies in Hampshire and the County Council to assist residents in avoiding ‘rogue traders’, etc. Trading Standards assess retailers of services and goods to ensure that they comply with consumer legislation. The vetting procedure includes criminal and civil proceedings checks, knowledge of consumer laws and an effective complaints procedure. This scheme does not assess the financial standing of the business nor the competence of the contractor to undertake construction work in terms of the health and safety legislation. Similarly it cannot be guaranteed that their work will never give rise to complaint, but should this be the case, any difficulty will be dealt with fairly.
