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Consumer Warning from the TDA
March 2005
Thinking about building a deck before next summer then the Timber Decking Association (TDA) has some words of advice.
Consumer Warning from the TDA
Thinking about building a deck before next summer then the Timber Decking Association (TDA) has some words of advice. They have issued a warning people to be on their guard against rogue traders exploiting the popularity of decking with substandard materials and workmanship leaving consumers with a deck that is unsafe to use.
Market research carried out in October by the TDA shows that the popularity of decking and associated landscape structures in the UK has grown by 8 - 10% during 2004 and is now worth £120m. Just 6 years ago, the total market was valued at less than £5million. Timber decking is now an established part of garden design and the TDA is concerned that its growing popularity is attracting rogue traders out to make cash quickly at the expense of unsuspecting customers.
Stephen Young, Secretary of the TDA says " Our helpline has taken an increasing number of calls from homeowners who feel that they have been duped into accepting materials and workmanship which is well below an acceptable standard."
The TDA urges anyone who is thinking about creating a deck in time for next summer to ensure that the materials used are fit for purpose and that the installer knows what they are doing. "Properly built, decks will provide years of pleasure but it is absolutely crucial, particularly with a raised deck, that the structure is safe and sound after completion" says Young.
The TDA is an independent technical and advisory organisation. Its main aim is to promote quality material standards and installation practices to ensure that timber decks provide a long, safe and trouble free life for property owners. To support this objective, the TDA operates the DeckMark™ quality assurance scheme. This scheme provides an independent assesement of the quality of materials used for decking and associated landscape structures (e.g.timber, fixings and coatings) and the workmanship of installers to make sure that meet acceptable standards.
The TDA keeps a register of all firms whose products and workmanship it has approved.
In addition, installers registered with the TDA must also offer customers a 10-year insurance backed warranty on their deck. This means that property owners have the reassurance of knowing that if a problem arises with their deck, and the installer is no longer in business, they have an independent insurance company to turn to for help.To contact the TDA call 01977 712718 or check out their web site www.tda.org.uk
Thinking about building a deck before next summer then the Timber Decking Association (TDA) has some words of advice. They have issued a warning people to be on their guard against rogue traders exploiting the popularity of decking with substandard materials and workmanship leaving consumers with a deck that is unsafe to use.
Market research carried out in October by the TDA shows that the popularity of decking and associated landscape structures in the UK has grown by 8 - 10% during 2004 and is now worth £120m. Just 6 years ago, the total market was valued at less than £5million. Timber decking is now an established part of garden design and the TDA is concerned that its growing popularity is attracting rogue traders out to make cash quickly at the expense of unsuspecting customers.
Stephen Young, Secretary of the TDA says " Our helpline has taken an increasing number of calls from homeowners who feel that they have been duped into accepting materials and workmanship which is well below an acceptable standard."
The TDA urges anyone who is thinking about creating a deck in time for next summer to ensure that the materials used are fit for purpose and that the installer knows what they are doing. "Properly built, decks will provide years of pleasure but it is absolutely crucial, particularly with a raised deck, that the structure is safe and sound after completion" says Young.
The TDA is an independent technical and advisory organisation. Its main aim is to promote quality material standards and installation practices to ensure that timber decks provide a long, safe and trouble free life for property owners. To support this objective, the TDA operates the DeckMark™ quality assurance scheme. This scheme provides an independent assesement of the quality of materials used for decking and associated landscape structures (e.g.timber, fixings and coatings) and the workmanship of installers to make sure that meet acceptable standards.
The TDA keeps a register of all firms whose products and workmanship it has approved.
In addition, installers registered with the TDA must also offer customers a 10-year insurance backed warranty on their deck. This means that property owners have the reassurance of knowing that if a problem arises with their deck, and the installer is no longer in business, they have an independent insurance company to turn to for help.To contact the TDA call 01977 712718 or check out their web site www.tda.org.uk
