Construction minister Brian Wilson has announced that builders who sign up to the quality mark scheme will receive a 20% discount on their insurance premiums.
Wilson said the cost of public and employer's liability insurance is one of the loudest complaints within the industry.

He said: "This benefit will be exclusive to quality mark scheme members."

Under the scheme, member contractors will be able to access a liability package offering up to 20% off premiums, provided through insurance provider QANW.

Wilson said: "The premium reduction will offer a significant opportunity to offset any entry costs associated with quality mark, and reflects the confidence insurers have in the scheme."

Once contractors have been successfully vetted by the Contractors Health and Safety scheme, quality-marked firms with more than 20 employees engaged in manual trades will be eligible for the discount.

  • A nationwide poll carried out by the DTI has found that 80% of homeowners would use a quality-marked builder if possible.

    Other key findings in the survey were that 51% of people do not trust tradesmen, 40% would never employ a company that has not been approved.