Why Use The FMB?

For most people the thought of taking on a renovation at home fills them with fear and worry. With so many stories constantly circulating about bad builders, rogue tradesmen and shoddy work leaving customers with thousands of pounds worth of damage, it’s understandable that people fear hiring a new builder for their project. But using a member of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) could eliminate a lot of that worry.

Why Should You Choose FMB?

When it comes to construction - whether it’s looking for someone to carry out a loft conversion, extension or entire house build - using the Federation of Master Builders approved builders is a good idea. The FMB is the biggest trade association for the building industry in the UK and it currently represents more than 13,000 building companies. Every builder wishing to join the FMB must meet the FMB's membership criteria which includes various credit and insurance checks. This means that for you as a customer, using an FMB builder should bring you peace of mind that you’re getting the best possible service. Plus if anything does go wrong the FMB has an independent complaints resolution procedure which includes a mediation service. As with any industry however, standards will change and this means always staying informed about whether your builder has maintained their FMB seal of approval. As with any tradesman, check with previous customers where possible or ask for examples of other work they have carried out. FMB builders will be happy to show their previous work to you as it is something they’ll be proud of. All FMB builders will:

• have a minimum one year trading history
• have passed various credit checks
• are registered for VAT
• have public liability insurance and employer liability insurance
• meet with local FMB Branch approval
• have provided six client references, five of which should be from clients within the last two years and one professional from an architect etc.
• pass all independent checks – including financial checks
• annually confirm their commitment to the FMB Code of Practice and to providing a good service to their customers

The Masterbond Warranty

The FMB also has members who are registered with Trustmark, the Government approval scheme. These FMB Members are part of the FMB's warranty scheme, Masterbond. When you choose an FMB Masterbond tradesman, you will have the peace of mind of not only all the issues mentioned above, but you also have the option to be covered by the MasterBond warranty. The warranty means that you can buy extra security for little investment and will cover you should any unforeseen circumstances occur such as the builder going out of business or being unable to complete the work they started for you. Overall, it’s a great way of getting extra security for little investment.

Finding an FMB Builder

Once you’ve made the choice to ensure you employ a reliable tradesman who works to a high standard, you’ll need to know where to find one! Finding a builder who is registered with the Federation of Master Builders shouldn’t be too difficult as most will proudly show their FMB logo on their advertisements. If you’re struggling to find one in your area, try excellent websites such as:

• Find a Builder
• Federation of Master Builders

Both of these sites can provide you with further information on finding a FMB and MasterBond approved tradesman in your area and will give you lots more information about the different services and assurances being part of Federation of Master Builders gives you as a customer.

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