Trade (e.g. electrician)
Introducing Checkatrade’s Trade Association Directory
Our Directory gives a comprehensive overview of our industry’s most trusted trade associations, industry bodies, regulatory bodies and sector associations. These bodies promote the highest standards of professionalism within their industry, allowing only organisations that prove their competence to join as members. Our Trade Directory makes it easier to see which bodies represent each industry.
Using this directory, you can view by trade category the organisations that represent each sector and, for those we have agreed to partner with, more detailed information about what it means to be part of this organisation.
We’re proud to be associated with some of these organisations, where our own strict standards meet with further marks of approval. We also encourage our members to display the associations they are affiliated with on their Checkatrade profile, all of which we confirm and check before they are displayed.
Building associations
Federation of Master Builders
The Federation of Master Builders is the largest trade association in the UK construction industry. Established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms, the FMB is independent and non-profit making, lobbying for members’ interests at both the national and local level.
Guild of Builders and Contractors
The Guild of Builders and Contractors was formed in 1992 by 14 builders. Their aim was to create a Guild consisting of reputable firms and individuals actively involved in the building industry who were experienced, knowledgeable and traded with integrity.
Guild of Master Craftsmen
Supporting tradespeople and artisans who have skill, integrity and expertise. An association of artisans and merchants who oversee the practice of their craft/trade
National Federation of Builders
The National Federation of Builders (NFB) represents builders, contractors and house builders across England and Wales. As one of the UK’s longest standing trade bodies, it was created to represent the building profession and to promote conditions its members need to thrive and contribute to the economic success of the UK.
Stone Federation Great Britain
Stone Federation is the official trade association for the natural stone industry. The Federation co-ordinates all aspects of the industry and provides specifiers and users with a first point of contact for information, advice and guidance in sourcing an appropriate material and a reliable service.
Carpentry associations
British Woodworking Federation
The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) is a business support organisation. We offer advice, support and wood industry information to our 700 members as well as guidance for customers who use, or specify, our members’ products and services. We also provide voice for the sector in the UK, influencing policy, regulations and standards
Carpet & upholstery associations
Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers
The AMUSF was founded in 1947 (then as the AMU) to protect the interests of upholsterers, small furniture makers, and later, soft furnishers. We've been supporting our members ever since!
National Carpet Cleaners Association
The NCCA is the only nationally recognised trade association dedicated to the cleaning of carpets, hard flooring and soft furnishings.
National Institute of Carpet & Floorlayers
The NICF, National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers, was formed in 1979. The aim of the NICF was to promote excellence within the field of carpet fitting, understanding and awareness of the British Standards Code of Practice for the installation of textile floor coverings, and to provide assurance of quality of workmanship to the public.
Cavity & Solid Wall associations
The British Board of Agrément Solid Wall Insulation
The British Board of Agrément (BBA) provides services that help clients create accountability and mitigate risk. Through extensive research, auditing, inspection, testing and certification, we help to instil confidence in the products, services and system
The Cavity Wall Insulation Self Certification scheme
The Cavity Wall Insulation Self Certification scheme (CWISC) provides homeowners with the comfort of knowing that work by registered contractors complies with the requirements of the Building regulations
Central heating associations
Gas Safe Register
We’re the official list of gas businesses who are registered to work safely and legally on boilers, cookers, fires and all other gas appliances. By law all gas engineers must be on the Gas Safe Register. Trust the Triangle. Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI as the gas registration body in 2009.
Chimneys associations
National Association of Chimney Engineers
The National Association of Chimney Engineers (NACE) mission is to: “Ensure the safety of all fuel users in the UK and Ireland, who depend on a chimney or flue for the operation of a heating appliance, by providing a register of competent chimney engineers for all types of chimney work”.
National Association of Chimney Sweeps
The National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) formed in 1982 as a professional Trade Association, promoting high standards for the sweeping, inspection and maintenance of chimneys.
Electrical associations
Blue Flame Certification
Blue Flame Certification Ltd is a UKAS Accredited Certification Body offering certification services in the Gas, Oil, Electrical, Solid Fuel, Building Services, Renewable Technologies and Building Energy Efficiency fields.
ELECSA
ELECSA provides inspection, assessment and certification services to contractors working across the building services sectors.
NAPIT
NAPIT is one of the leading Government approved and United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited membership scheme operators in the building services and fabric sector. NAPIT registered installers cover categories including electrical, heating and microgeneration across the UK domestic, commercial and industrial markets.
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation
NICEIC is the UK’s leading voluntary regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry. It has been assessing the electrical competence of electricians for nearly sixty years and currently maintains a roll of over 26,000 registered contractors.
Fencing & gates associations
Association of Fencing Industries
AFI exists to promote safety, quality and professionalism throughout the UK fencing industry; to provide business opportunities, industry news and technical information to its members; to encourage inter-member trading and collaboration; and to raise the profile and image of the UK fencing industry.
Fire protection associations
BAFE
BAFE is the independent registration body for third party certified fire protection companies across the UK
Flooring associations
Contract Flooring Association
The Contract Flooring Association was formed in 1974 by the amalgamation of three small flooring associations: The Floor Covering Contractors Association, whose members specialised primarily in smooth floor coverings: the Association of Flooring Contractors (hardwood flooring) and the Carpet Planners Association.
Health & safety associations
CHAS
CHAS is the leading health and safety accreditation scheme for contractors in the UK and can provide homeowners with confidence that contractors are committed to high health & safety standards.
Constructionline
Constructionline is the UK’s most connected and progressive provider of procurement and supply chain management services, making contracting simpler and helping our customers achieve more
SafeContractor
As a founding SSiP member, SafeContractor is the UK's leading health and safety accreditation scheme. For more than 20 years we have worked with contractors to ensure that they can demonstrate their health & safety policies and procedures are compliant.
Heating associations
HETAS
HETAS is a not for profit organisation offering competent person scheme for installers of biomass and solid fuel heating, registration for retailers and chimney sweeps and approval of appliances and fuels.
Landscape / gardening associations
BALI
Established in 1972 the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) promotes, supports and inspires its Registered members including landscape contractors, landscape architects, garden designers and suppliers to be leaders of an environmentally, ethically and commercially sustainable landscape services industry.
Locksmith associations
Master Locksmith Association
The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA), a not for profit organisation established to promote the level of skills and ethics within the industry. The MLA has its own licensing scheme whereby all MLA Approved locksmith companies are vetted, undergo regular inspections to ensure quality, and employ a locksmith with an exam based qualification.
Painting & decorating associations
Painting and Decorating Association
We are the organisation that represents and protects the interests of the painting and decorating industry.
Pest control associations
British Pest Control Association
BPCA is the UK's leading trade association representing organisations with a professional interest in the eradication and management of public health pests. We're a not-for-profit organisation acting in the interests of our members and on behalf of the pest management industry in the UK.
NPTA
The National Pest Technicians Association is a professional trade association that represents all sectors within the public health & pest control industry.
Plastering associations
Finishes and Interiors Sector
FIS is the not for profit representative body for the £10 billion finishes and interiors sector in the UK. The organisation exists to support our members, improve safety, minimise risk, enhance productivity and drive innovation in the sector.
Plumbing associations
Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors
We are a membership organisation for plumbing and heating businesses who want professional support to help them be successful and prosper in an ever competitive and regulated market
Building Engineering Services Competence Assessment Limited
Acting as a certification body as part of the wider BESA Group, BESCA aims to help businesses and individuals within the UK to meet industry standards, ensuring compliance and promoting best practice within the building engineering services industry.
Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers
Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering is a professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry
Renewable energy associations
Oil Firing Technical Association Limited
OFTEC leads the way in the off-gas grid heating sector and aims to ensure that consumers have safe and efficient heating. We operate UKAS accredited registration schemes for heating technicians working in liquid fuels, heat pumps, solar thermal, biomass and solid fuel.
Solar Trade Association
Solar Trade Association (STA) has worked to promote the benefits of solar energy and to make its adoption easy and profitable for domestic and commercial users.
Roofing associations
National Federation of Roofing Contractors
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors Limited (NFRC) is the UK’s largest roofing trade association. With a history spanning 125 years, NFRC has established itself as the voice of the roofing industry, constantly adapting to change and innovation to ensure its members are at the forefront.
Scaffolding associations
National Access & Scaffolding Confederation
NASC is the trade body for access and scaffolding in the UK – established 1945 and now serving a family of 230+ leading contracting firms, scaffolding manufacturers and businesses.
Security associations
The National Security Inspectorate
The National Security Inspectorate is the UK's most highly trusted and respected, independent, UKAS-accredited certification body in the security and fire safety sector.
TV aerial & satellite associations
Confederation of Aerial Industries
CAI was formed in 1978 to represent, and establish standards in, the rapidly growing TV signal reception industry. Because we set industry standards, and vet applications to join, consumers who use a CAI member can be confident that the member they choose will have the skills and expertise necessary to complete their work to the expected standard
Window & Glazing associations
Assure Certification Ltd
Assure is an official, UKAS-accredited Competent Persons Scheme authorised by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for the replacement of windows, roof windows, roof lights and doors in England and Wales
CERTASS Limited
Member companies are assessed inline with the standards laid down in EN17065 and specific license requirements of MHCLG, TrustMark, PAS2030 or Certass.This means that Certass financially and technically assesses its members to ensure they meet required standards.
Exova BM TRADA Competent Persons Scheme
BM TRADA exists to help make certain that the materials, products and processes that we test, inspect and certify for our customers are always safe, quality, compliant and fit for purpose. What we ultimately deliver is Certainty to those sectors where failure in service is simply not an option
FENSA
FENSA’s mission is to improve window and door replacements across the UK, by professionalising installers and protecting homeowners. We make sure the work complies with building regulations, is energy efficient, and registered with the local council. And verify that every FENSA Approved Installer’s guarantee is insured.
Glass and Glazing Federation
The GGF is the main representative organisation for companies involved in all aspects of the manufacture of flat glass and products and services for all types of glazing, in commercial and domestic sectors.
Find out more
If you are a Trade Association, body, or organisation and would like to find out more about how you could partner with Checkatrade then please do get in touch at [email protected]