Looking for some help and advice when it comes to DIY and home improvements? There is a huge range of industry bodies, regulatory organisations and advice groups that may well meet your needs.
Most have informative websites, accreditation schemes for traders or retailers or even telephone helplines – check out the list below to find out what is on offer.
- Citizens’ Advice Bureau: Moving and improving your home
- CAB’s Advice Guide website has a comprehensive home improvements section which includes advice on buying and selling, home improvements and planning permission.
- Consumer Direct
- A government consumer advice website with a telephone helpline that offers advice on prospective purchases and information on resolving issues that arise after purchases.
- Direct.gov: Repairs, planning and building regulations
- The government’s online public services portal has advice and information on a wide range of home improvement topics including the planning system, grants and funds, choosing traders and asbestos removal.
- Electrical Contractors’ Association
- The UK’s leading trade association for contractors who design, install, inspect, test and maintain electrical and electronic equipment and services. It supports more than 3,000 registered members and offers safeguards to consumers about the standard of their work, as well as providing a search facility.
- The Energy Ombudsman
- The European Energy Ombudsman Group (EEOG) is an independent, non-profit Europe-wide professional association made up of ombudsmen and mediators from European energy companies. It aims to promote mediation between companies and consumers to solve disputes and complaints.
- Forest Stewardship Council UK
- The FSC UK label on a wooden product such as furniture, timber or flooring guarantees that you can buy with a clear conscience. FSC certified forests are managed with consideration for people, wildlife and the environment and allowed to regenerate naturally.
- The Furniture Ombudsman
- An organisation backed by the Furniture Industry Research Association that aims to inspire consumer confidence by improving the standard and service offered by retailers, manufacturers and other associated companies in the furniture and home improvement industry. Offers an inspection service and dispute resolution service for member companies.
- Gas Safe Register
- The Gas Safe Register is the official body for gas safety in the United Kingdom, replacing CORGI in March 2009. Whenever a gas engineer carries out work on your property, by law they must be on the Gas Safe Register which exists to ensure gas safety for householders, landlords, tenants and properties. Its website offers advice on gas safety and a search for registered engineers and companies.
- National Home Improvement Council
- A membership organisation that aims to help householders achieve energy-efficient home improvements as cost-effectively as possible and to promote investment in the nation’s homes.
- Property Care Association
- A trade body for the structural waterproofing, wood preservation, damp proofing, flood remediation and structural maintenance industries in the UK. PCA members offer professional advice and help in their area of expertise – which include rising damp, flood remediation, basement conversions, structural damage, dry rot wet rot and homeowner surveys. Its site offers a ‘find a member’ search. The organisation was formerly part of the British Wood Preserving and Damp Proofing Association.
- The Tile Association
- The Tile Association, set up in 2000, is a membership association representing the UK wall and floor tile industry. It has more than 750 members including tiling contractors, fixers, distributors, retailers and manufacturers. It promotes professionalism and technical standards in the tiling industry as well as technical support for its members and their customers.
- TrustMark
- TrustMark is a not-for-profit organization, licensed by Government and supported by consumer protection groups, that aims to help homeowners find local, reliable and trustworthy tradesmen and tradeswomen. It offers a postcode and by-trade search for operators who are regulated by a trade association or local authority.
- Waterwise
- A UK non-governmental organisation that aims to decrease water consumption and make the case for large scale water efficiency. It is independent, not-for-profit and receives funding from the UK water industry as well as from sponsorship and consultancy. It has a wealth of information for any consumer looking for water-saving advice