Regulating and Authorising Bodies


At Tradesman4u we recommend that before you accept any quote from a tradesman, whether you have sourced them here, or anywhere that you carry out a reasonable amount of due diligence on the person or company you are commissioning. Due Diligence can consist of many things including using feedback from our website, testimonials from previous clients in writing, possibly even viewing examples of previous work. One very important resource is checking with the particular tradesmans governing and regulating body. Almost all these authorising bodies carry out inspections on their members, check qualifications, ensure insurance policies are up to standard and so on. Below is a list of bodies you can check with regarding tradesmen and companies and although the list is not exhaustive it should make the checking process slightly easier.
 

1. Gas Safe Register

The Gas Safe register, formerly known as Corgi, is the regulating body for all Gas engineers in the UK. If your project involves any gas work it is important to check the credentials of an engineer. 
Gas_Safe_Register
Address : PO Box 6804, Basingstoke, RG24 4NB
Tel : 0800 408 5500

2. HVCA - Heating and Ventillation Contractors Association

The HVCA is the leading body governing firms undertaking design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of heating, ventillation, refrigeration, air conditioning, ductwork and energy systems
heating_ventilation_contractors_Association
Website : www.hvca.org.uk
Address : Esca House, 34 Palace Court, London, W2 4JG
Tel : 020 7313 4900

3. cIPHE -  Chartered institution of plumbing and heating engineering

The CIPHE is a professional body that has been regulating plumbers and heating engineers for over 100 years. They currently have over 12,000 members and around 50 branches in the UK.
Chartered_Institute_of_Plumbers_and_heating_engineering
Website : www.ciphe.org.uk
Address : 64 Station Lane, Hornchurch, Essex, RM12 6NB
Tel : 01708 472791

4. SNIPEF - Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation

SPINEF is one of the major governing bodies for plumbers in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Eastablished in 1923 and still going strong today.
SNIPEF_registered_business
Website : www.snipef.org
Address : Bellevue House, 22 Hopetoun St, Edinburgh, EH7 4GH
Tel : 0131 556 0600

5. APHC - Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors

The APHC is a sign of a reputable plumber. Providing many services to plumbers and employee's. As with any regulatory body membership can be checked by contacted them directly. It is best checked with the Gas Safe Register also.
APHC_Approved
Address : 12 The Pavillons, Cranmore Drive, Solihull, B90 4SB
Tel : 0121 711 5030

6. NICEIC

This stands for the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting. It is the largest Governing body in the Electrical sector and considered by many the industry leader. 
NICEIC Website : www.niceic.com
Address : Warwick House, Houghton Hall Park, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5ZX
Tel : 0870 013 0382

7. NAPIT

The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers. This is one of the fastest growing Electrical governing bodies and has an excellent reputation. 
NAPIT
Website : www.napit.org.uk
Address : 4th Floor Mill, Mill 3, Pleasley Vale Business Park, Mansfield, Notts, NG19 8RL
Tel : 0845 543 0330

8. ECA

The Electrical Contractors Association has been founded for over 100 years and has in excess of 3,000 members. The provide services and regulation to small firms right through to large multi national companies. 
ECA
Website : www.eca.co.uk
Address : ECA, ESCA House, 34 Palace Court, London, W2 4HY
Tel : 020 7313 4800

9. The Federation of Master Builders

The FMB has been in operation for more than 70 years and currently has around 11,000 members. It is comfortably one of the largest trade association in the UK for the construction industry
Website :
Address : FMB, Gordon Fisher House, 14-15 Great James St, London, WC1N 3DP
Tel : 020 7242 7583

10.The National Federation of Builders

The NFB provides backup and resources to builders and new housebuilders in the UK.
National_Federation_of_Builders
Address : B & CE Building, Manor Royal, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9QP
Tel : 08450 578160

11. The Construction Industry Council

The CIC is a representation of all the professional bodies, specialist business associations and research organisations in the construction industry. It represents the views of the higher levels of the industry.
Construction_Industry_Council
Website : www.cic.org.uk
Address : 26 Store St, London, WC1E 7BT
Tel : 020 7399 7400

12. Association of Building Engineers

The ABE is the professional body for those specialising in the technology of building. Founded in 1925 its main aim is to promote the advancement of the science behind building knowledge.
Association_of_Building_Engineers
Website : www.abe.org.uk
Address : Luyens House, Billing Brook Road, Weston Favell, Northampton, NN3 8NW
Tel : 0845 126 1058

13. Association of Specialist Underpinning contractors

The ASUC is an indepndent trade association formed by contractors to to promote professional and technical competance within the subsidence industry. If you require any underpinning work it is worthwhile checking with the contractor on whether they are members
ASUC
Website : www.asuc.org.uk
Address : Kingsley House, Ganders Business Park, Kingsley, Borden, Hampshire, GU35 9LU
Tel : 01420 471613

14. Brick Development association

The Brick Development Association is a representative body for the UK and Ireland's paver and Clay Brick manufacturers.
Brickwork_Development_Association
Website : www.brick.org.uk
Address : The Building Centre, 26 Store St, London, WC1E 7BT
Tel : 020 7323 7030

15. British Woodworking Federation

The BWF is a trade association for the joinery manufacturing industry. It currently has just under 500 members and the BWF aims to help promote its members, their services and the joinery industry as a whole.
british-woodworking-federation
Website : www.bwf.org.uk
Address : Royal London House, 22-25 Finsbury Square, London, EC21 1DX
Tel : 0844 209 2610

16. Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

The CIOB is the voice of the building professional internationally. With over 45,000 members, any member of this body should be considered a true professional in the building sector.

chartered_institute_of_building

Website : www.ciob.org.uk
Address : Chartered Institute of Building, Englemere, Kings Ride, Ascot, Berks, SL5 7TB
Tel : 01344 630 700

17. The Confederation of Construction Specialists

The CSS is mebership based body who aim to increase the knowledge required to run a specialist construction company. They have a mandatory code of professional conduct and require examination for entry.
Confederation_of_Construction_Specialists
Website :
www.constructionspecialists.org
Address : 1 Walpole House, 2 Pickford St, Aldershot, GU11 1TZ
Tel : 01252 312122

18. Federation of Plastering & Dry Wall Contractors

The Federation of Plastering
federation_of_plastering_and_drywall_contractors
Website : www.fpdc.org
Address : 4th Floor, Cheapside, London, EC2V 6AX
Tel : 020 7634 9480

19. Guild of Builders & Contractors

The Guild of Builders & Contractors
guild_of_builders_contractors
Address : Crest House, 102-104 Church Rd, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 8PY
Tel : 020 8977 1105

20. Home Builders Federation

The Home Builders Federation
house_builders_federation
Website : www.hbf.co.uk
Address : 1st Floor, Byron House, 7-9 St James Street, London, SW1A 1EE
Tel : 020 7960 1600

21. NHBC The National House Building Council

The NHBC
New_Home_building_certificate
Website : www.nhbc.co.uk
Address : NHBC House, Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8FP
Tel : 0844 633 1000

22. Institute of carpenters IOC

The Institute of Carpenters does exactly what is says on the tin. Designed for all joiners, carpenters, woodworkers and anyone in the general carpentry sector.
institute_of_carpenters
Address : 32 High St, Wendover, Bucks, HP22 6EA
Tel : 0844 879 7696
 

23. FENSA

The Fenestration Self Assessment Scheme
FENSA
Website : www.fensa.co.uk
Address : 54 Ayres Rd, London, SE1 1EU
Tel : 020 7645 3700
  

24. The Institute of Fire Engineers

The IFE
Institute_of_fire_engineers
Website : www.ife.org.uk
Address : London Rd, Moreton in Marsh, Gloucesterhsire, GL56 0RH
Tel : 01608 812 580
 

25. BAFE

The British Approvals for Fire Equipment
BAFE
Website : www.bafe.org.uk
Address : Bridges 2, The Fire Service, London Rd, Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire, GL56 0RH
Tel : 0844 335 0897

26. Energy Savings Trust

energy_savings_trust

Website :
Address : 
Tel : 


 

27. Glass and Glazing Federation

Glass Glazers Federation

28. Door and Hardware Federation

door_hardware_federation

29. Local Authority Building Control

LABC

30. British Feneration Ratings Council

British_Fenstration_Ratings_Council

31. Glazing Ombudsman

Glazing_Ombudsman

32. Trading Standards

Trading_Standards

33. Trustmark

Trustmark

34. British Standards Institute

British_Standards_Institute

35. Double Glazing and Conservatory Ombudsman Scheme

dgcos_scheme

36. Registered Digital Installer Licensing Body

digi TV Installer

37. Master Locksmith Association

Master_locksmiths

38. Institute of certified Locksmiths

Institute_of_certified_Locksmiths

39. Association of accredited Locksmiths

Association_of_Accredited_Locsmiths

40. National Roofing Federation

national_roofing_federation

41. Confederation of roofing contractors

confederation_of_roofing_contractors

42. Department of Trade and Industry

department_of_trade_and_industry

43. Office of Fair trading

Office_of_fair_trading

44. Arboricultural Association

arboricultural_association

45. International association of arboriculture

International_association_of_Arboriculture

46. Horticultural trade Association

horticultural_trade_association

47. Association of Master Tradesmen

association_of_master_tradesmen

48. Guild of Handymen

guild_of_handymen

49. Guild of Master Craftsmen

guild_of_master_craftsmen

50. Association of Professional Landscapers

association_of_professional_landscapers

51. Considerate Constructors Scheme

Considerate_Constructors_scheme

52. DryStone Wall Association

dry_stonewall_association

53. Contract Flooring Association

Contract_flooring_association

54. Dulux Select Painters and decorators

dulux_select_decorators

55. Painting and decorating association

Painting_and_Decorating_association

56. Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installers

institute_of_kitchen_bedroom_and_bathroom_installers

57. National Specialist Contractor Council

National_specialist_contractors_council

58. Oftec

Oftec

59. Safe Contractor Approved

safe_contractor_approved

60. UK trades Confederation

UK_trades_confederation

61. Tile Association

Tile_Association

 

Look out for any of these symbols on your tradesmans work vehicle or official paperwork. By no means is this an exhaustive list (many others exist) and also purely because a tradesman is presenting one of these logo's is not in its own right sufficient evidence that they are a member of the organisation for which that logo represents. In many cases the trade association body will have some form of membership card or other method of proving membership and you should ask to see this evidence. Alternatively ask them for their membership number/reference and then make a call to the relevant body, usually a 2 minute phonecall will be sufficient to confirm whether that tradesman/company is actually a registered member. If for any reason you are unsure of anything about a tradesmans qualifications or professional governance we advise you to tread carefully and seek independent legal advice.