MyEDC

    Local Outcome 4: Traders put their trust in consumer safety scheme

    An initiative which helps local residents to home in on reputable plumbers, builders, electricians and more is going from strength to strength.

    The East Dunbartonshire Trusted Trader scheme launched in May 2023, aiming to:

    • Increase consumer confidence
    • Promote good practice within local businesses
    • Protect residents from doorstep crime
    • Help the East Dunbartonshire economy.
    Yellow measuring tape forming the shape of a house
    Yellow measuring tape forming the shape of a house

    Within the first year – 2023/24 – nine traders signed up. As of June 2025, that number had risen by an incredible 144% – with 22 accredited.

    The Council’s Trading Standards team is responsible for overseeing the scheme – vetting traders, regularly examining business practices, and monitoring reviews and feedback.

    The initiative, which is supported by Police Scotland, is centred around a Code of Practice, with a requirement to trade fairly. It is part of the Council’s work to target doorstep crime, cold calling, pressure selling and fraud.

    Chief Executive Ann Davie said, "We are pleased that a wide range of local businesses have signed up for the Trusted Trader scheme. Not only do they receive support from the Council, it also lets potential customers know they are reputable and reliable. Hopefully the initiative continues to go from strength to strength – providing support to local residents and traders.”

    If you're planning to have work done on your property, check out the Trusted Trader website – where you can search for a business and view comments from previous customers.

    The Trusted Trader initiative is centred around a Code of Practice, which covers:

    • Transparent procedures for quoting and carrying out work
    • Only charging a fair and reasonable price
    • Dealing with complaints promptly.

    Community Police Inspector Stuart Murray said, "Rogue traders and bogus callers can be difficult to distinguish from legitimate service providers. They can persuade householders to part with large sums of money by starting out cheaper than competitors and then falsely claiming urgent, more expensive work is needed. This often requires a reputable trader to come in and repair badly done or incomplete work.

    "I hope the Trusted Trader initiative provides householders across East Dunbartonshire with increased confidence that they are engaging the services of legitimate traders. I would always encourage residents to take simple steps to prevent themselves being defrauded by doorstep criminals."

    Advice includes:

    • Never allow anyone you are not expecting into your home
    • Never agree to pay up front for work yet to be carried out
    • Don't feel pressured into making decisions quickly – legitimate traders will be comfortable returning at a later date, allowing research of their business
    • If you ever feel threatened or pressurised, contact Police Scotland on 101 or East Dunbartonshire Trading Standards on 0300 123 4510

    Find out more, visit the Council's Trusted Trader Scheme page and the Trusted Trader website.