22 Apr 2015 Trustmark reveals that first time buyers fail to inspect property for major flaws!
Passions have always run high when it comes to choosing a home but new research released today shows that letting your heart rule your head could end up costing thousands in unplanned maintenance costs.

07 May 2014 Builders Jargon Explained
Is your builder using terms that make no sense to you and feeling too embarrassed to ask for a simple explanation? Well this handy jargon busting list just might help!

12 Dec 2013 Britain faces growing skilled tradesmen crisis (From The Daily Mail June 13th)
Britain faces growing skilled tradesmen crisis after a drastic fall in the number of plumbers, bricklayers and carpenters. Figures for skilled tradesmen plummeted by 7% in the last year alone. Plumbers have been the worst hit with a 25% drop in the last four years. Only cleaners, chimney sweeps and female-run businesses are on the up.

09 Dec 2013 Vetted Trades
Recommended, vetted tradesmen in Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, County Durham and Northumberland.

07 Feb 2013 Checked and Vetted shortlisted for Regional Business Award 2013
Checked and Vetted, has been shortlisted to the Regional finals of the 2013 NE Business Awards in the best Service Category

22 Jan 2013 Checked and Vetted Builder Alan Kendal helps OAP
Thoughtfulness means a lot in this day and age and this reference goes to show how goodhearted this Sunderland Builder truly is - and that's snow joke!

07 Jan 2013 Gosforth Pensioner Conned Out Of Hundreds Of Pounds By Builders
Gosforth Pensioner Conned Out Of Hundreds Of Pounds By Builders

26 Oct 2012 How to avoid Distraction burglary and bogus callers
This excellent article from west Midlands Police is worthy of reading as a timely reminder on how to protect you and your neighbours.

09 Oct 2012 Conman gardener took £60,000 from vulnerable Sunderland pensioner
Conman gardener took £60,000 from vulnerable Sunderland pensioner (From todays Sunderland Echo)

24 Sep 2012 Newcastle Rogue Roofer fleeced hero of his life savings
Newcastle conman fleeced hero of his life savings (Excerpt from The Chronicle)

19 Sep 2012 Trading Standards warns consumers not to rely on printed MoT certificates
After a Cleveland racket was revealed, Consumers are being warned by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI) NOT to rely on the printed version of new-style MoT certificates when buying cars.

13 Sep 2012 Happy consumer praises Checked and Vetted
A delighted homeowner in East Rainten was so please with our service and our members that she wrote an article about us for her local newsletter in East Rainten - it has been delivered to 1200 homes in her immediate area. A big thank you to her (we have respected her anonymity as she is a lady who lives alone)

12 Jul 2012 Checked and Vetted on BBC Newcastle Radio Again!
Millie Warham will be a guest on the BBC Newcastle show again on Monday from 9am. We all love the Charlie & Alfie Breakfast show. A big thank you to the Beeb for the vote of condfidence! ....and as most of our members know, Millie can talk till the "Cowboys go home"

27 Apr 2012 Bogus caller reminder for Sunderland Folk
Northumbia Police issue warning -Rather worryingly fake Trademen are scamming homeowners on their doorsteps in Tyne & Wear

11 Apr 2012 Pest killer Tommy Lincoln rescues family in Despair
New member, PEST control expert Tommy Lincoln last June come to the rescue of a family plagued by rats.

12 Mar 2012 Been affected by a Cowboy Builder?
On the trail of the cowboy builders (from BBC website)

10 Mar 2012 Rogue Alarm Installer from Washington sent to Jail
Washington swindler receives jail sentence. (extract from the Sunderland Echo 10.03.2013)

09 Mar 2012 Washington OAP swindled by Crooked Gardeners
Bogus caller almost cons Washington OAP out of £5,000 (from The Sunderland Echo)

06 Mar 2012 Tax ‘amnesty’: top tips for disclosing untaxed income
Tax ‘amnesty’: top tips for disclosing untaxed income

05 Mar 2012 Traveller family jailed after duping OAPS
Traveller family jailed for 20 years after duping homeowners out of £500k (from Metro News)