Lib Dem Business Minister Jo Swinsons new kitchen sink snoopers charter has raised a few eyebrows in the home renovation industry, according to Christine Odone, writing in The Telegraph. The Business Minister has advised homeowners to tape tradesmen whilst they provide verbal quotes for plumbing and other kitchen and home renovation jobs to protect themselves against rogue traders. The consequences of kitchen sink snooping are unpalatable. Once the consumer knows they can record their serviceman, theyll get a taste for it and regard it as par for the course, whether it be done by them or the authorities, writes Odone. Trust, that precious currency, will disappear, from one-on-one domestic encounters first, then inevitably from public life too. As business minister, youd think Swinson would stop and ask herself is this going to promote the economy? If she did, she would know that the answer is a big fat NO. Who could enjoy working in this mutually suspicious atmosphere? The workplace will turn into a shadowy world of camcorders, tapes and veiled threats. Nasty, in other words. Whilst it is likely that filming your plumber as you discuss your new kitchen renovation could well lead to bad feeling and an atmosphere of distrust, there is nothing wrong with taking sensible precautions.. Always ask for a written quote with a breakdown of work that will be provided and, this way, both parties will be protected whilst retaining a respectful working relationship.