With 2000 emergency trade specialists and experienced engineers on call across the UK, the firm covers the length and breadth of the country 24 hours a day, seven days a week from its base in Edinburgh.

From Peterhead to Plymouth, all UK postcodes are covered with a two-hour response time guaranteed. Domestic and commercial customers can enter their postcodes online and after the firm checks the availability of local emergency trade professionals, they pre-pay for Emergency Repair to make their properties safe, and if that time window is missed, they get their money back.

The model has proved popular with business extremely brisk since launching last August, with more than 4000 requests for rapid assistance having been lodged.

Glasgow and Edinburgh lead the way with the most emergency call-outs, followed by London and then Fife.

“There was a gap in the market and initially we were asked to provide this service offering by several of our large property management and insurer clients across Scotland,” said managing director Richard O’Donnell, who also runs fire and flood restoration specialist INSUREPAIR.

“Our 24-hour emergency response service quickly brings local, certified trades directly to people’s doors when they need them the most. It’s the easiest and most secure way to access fully certified and vetted local tradespeople to make problem properties safe and secure.

“When an emergency arises, it can be a very distressing time so it’s important to be able to get to the job as quickly as possible and we pride ourselves on our two-hour response time or money-back guarantee.”

Mr O’Donnell added: “From roofers and carpenters to electricians, plumbers and heating engineers, we’re there when needed – right away.

“I like to look upon it as a local service with national reach and it feels good to be able to help people in their hour of need. The first six months since we launched have been a whirlwind but we never stand still. We are already looking ahead and formulating further growth plans for the future development of the business which will be rolled out in due course.”