EMPLOYING THE PROFESSIONALS

By hiring a professional who is a member of a regulatory body you will have recourse to that body if something should go wrong or if you have a serious complaint.

Builders
Find a reputable builder through a trade association such as the National Federation of Builders (NFB) who operate codes of practice to help safeguarg customers.  Check with the builder that he is able to provide the relevant paperwork and guarantees required for any work undertaken such as damp proofing, wall ties, underpinning etc.
Get quotes from 3 different builders, and make sure that each builder gives you a detailed quote, and not just an estimate for the works.
Contact  www.builders.org.uk

Decorators / Plasterers / Tilers
The regulatory body for decorators and plasterers is the NSCC (National Specialists Contractors Council).  The best way to source one is through referral from friends or family otherwise make sure that the minimum qualifications held are NVQ level one to three.
Contact www.nscc.org.uk

Electricians
Since April 2005 U.K. law insists that you must employ a ‘competent’ electrician This means that the electrician is qualified by organisations such as the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) who provide education and training , promote high quality good value and safe installations and whose members follow a code of fair trading. Or the National Inspection for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICIEC) which is a U.K. consumer safety organisation and regulatory body for the electrical industry.

If the electrician you use a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), - the biggest body regulating the training and codes of practice for electricians- you will have recourse to the institution should you have any problems with the work carried out.
Contacts  www.eca.co.uk;  www.niceic.org.uk; www.theiet.org

Gas Fitters
Anyone carrying out work on gas appliances or fittings must be registered with CORGI (the Confederation for the Registration of Gas Installers).  They will have an I.D. card to prove their registration.  Do not use a fitter who is not CORGI registered.
Contact www.corgi-gas-safety.com

Glaziers
The Glass and Glazing federation (GGF) will have a list of glass fitters in your area. They can advise on types of glass to use, and have a list of members in your area.  They also offer a conciliation service if problems occur with the standard of work carried out.
Contact www.ggf.co.uk

Plumbers
The institute of plumbers (IPHE) can supply a list of registered plumbers in
your area.  Look for a minimum qualification of NVQ level2 or 3. Some
plumbers are CORGI registered, ask to see their registration I.D. If you use a
plumber who is not registered with a professional body and you have a
complaint, contact the Trading Standards agency.
Contact  www.iphe.co.uk

Roofers
Where possible use a roofer who is a member of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). If there is a problem with the work, the NFRC will mediate between the parties and try to solve the problem.

Contact www.nfrc.co.uk