Plumbers, sparkies and builders are being invited to play their role in the fight against cowboy builders by signing up to Dudley Council’s Fix-A-Home scheme.

Run by the council’s trading standards team, in partnership with Age UK Dudley, it offers a list of approved tradespeople who carry out work to maintain, repair or update homes at a fair price. Traders go through a careful selection process and make certain commitments to good customer service before being accepted.

The brochure covers 18 categories including general property maintenance, roofing, gardening, painting and decorating, plumbing, heating and drainage along with more specialist services such as mobility aids and adaptations.

Traders who wish to become a scheme member for 2020-21 must be based in Dudley borough and need to have been in business for more than 12 months. Deborah Harkins, director of public health and wellbeing at Dudley Council, said:

"Residents tell us time and time again that this fantastic scheme, which we run in conjunction with Age UK Dudley, helps to give them peace of mind when they are selecting someone to do repairs and jobs around their home.

"There is a small cost for traders who wish to be included but as the list is shared around the borough and appears on our website it also offers reputable and quality traders a fantastic opportunity to promote their services at a much lower rate than advertising."

Entry cost for next year’s scheme is yet to be confirmed. The current cost for entry in one trade category is £183.60, with an inflation cost rise expected for 2020-21.

Interested traders can contact Dudley Trading Standards on 01384 814695 to request an application pack.

People can view the council’s list of approved traders at dudley.gov.uk.