Building Regs

Double Glazing Report - Recommended Consumer Help Links

Visit the following sites for more tips and advice on buying home improvements wisely. Helping you to get the "best deal" always.

http://www.findabuilder.co.uk - Website of the Federation of Master Builders. A very comprehensive website which covers everything from finding a builder to how to spot cowboys from a mile.

http://www.labc.org.uk - Local Authority Building Control website. The council links page will give you information about who to contact within your council about Building Regulations, Planning Permission, etc. Local Authority Building Control has the experience and technical skill to ease you through the building process. Local authorities have a national level of service guide based on extensive research and discussion with owners, professionals and builders.

http://www.nhbc.co.uk - National House Building Council. Independent regulatory body for the UK house-building industry. NHBC is the standard setting body and leading warranty and insurance provider for new and newly converted homes in the UK. It can give you advice on building, buying, and selling new homes. Includes a directory of builders that are registered with the NHBC.

http://www.riba.org - Website for the Royal Institute of British Architects. Click on Members Directory to find the right architect for your home improvement project.

http://www.rics.org - Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. “This is the information site for property professionals and users of their services. RICS is the worldwide property organisation, with over 110 000 members globally, dedicated to promoting excellence and safeguarding public interest in all property related matters.” Click on the Find a Surveyor link to find a member or the RICS in your area.

http://www.guildmc.com - Site of the Guild of Master Craftsmen. Only those committed to skill and integrity are admitted to membership, which ensures quality and craftsmanship. Members have to have a consistently high standard of work.

http://www.kbsa.co.uk - “The UK Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) promotes professionalism and excellence in the design, supply and installation of fitted kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and home offices.” The site helps you to plan your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom and also has directories to find a member in your area.

http://www.ggf.co.uk - “The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) is a trade association for all those who make, supply or fit flat glass, such as windows, film or plastics. This site supplies information about the Federation and glass & glazing to the general public.

http://www.corgi-gas-safety.com - CORGI is the National Watchdog for Gas Safety in the United Kingdom. Search their site to find a CORGI registered installer near you.

www.fmb.org.uk/about/fmb/nrwb.asp - National Register of Warranted Builders. By offering the Warranty Scheme builders are proving an extra level of reassurance that customers are increasingly looking for and enhancing the value - both actual and perceived - of their business.

Conservatory Buyers Guide - Tricks of the trade and how to avoid them. This is by no means a comprehensive list. These are just a few of the "tricks" sometimes employed. If you are aware of them then you will hopefully not be deceived.

A Guide to the Double Glazing Salesperson - The Double-Glazing salesperson along with the life insurance salesman, estate agent and used car salesman has often been the 'butt' of a comedian's joke and the general public's 'loathing'. These individuals often have very little direct experience of glazing and replacement windows. Most of their 'experience' will be gained on a sales training course where frankly the main emphasis will be on selling technique rather than product knowledge. This guide explains more.