TrustMark has reported its greatest year to date, in terms of tradesmen details displayed on its website.

In 2013, 5,277,705 search results were provided to homeowners who used TrustMark’s website and telephone helpline to find local tradesmen to carry out work on their homes or gardens. During the year, the average number of details displayed across all trades rose by 36% compared to the same period in 2012. Seeing the largest rise were solar panel installers (131%), installers for cavity, internal and external wall insulation (92%) and window installers and glaziers (70%). Heating engineers and plumbers increased by 55% during 2013, with October and November having the largest searches carried out by homeowners.

In December, TrustMark saw a considerable surge in demand from the previous month for fence installers (65%), underground waterproofing specialists (65%) and flood recovery specialists (313%), mostly due to the severe weather conditions experienced throughout the UK.

Stuart Carter, head of PR and marketing at TrustMark, said: “Soaring energy prices coupled with extreme weather have been key contributors for homeowners seeking out our tradesmen last year. We are delighted to see such high figures as it shows that consumers are searching for qualified and reputable tradesman to do their work rather than looking on any ‘find a trader’ websites, which carry out little or no checks on the firms they are listing.

“TrustMark tradesmen’s details have been increasing year on year and this considerable success has been a result of a number of increased marketing initiatives carried out during 2013, improved website activity and working closely in partnership with government departments, our member firms, scheme operators and key consumer organisations such as Citizens Advice, Age UK and the Trading Standards Institute, who are all signposting people to TrustMark.”