Unless you have a reasonable working knowledge of building construction, it would be advisable before any work is started to obtain appropriate professional advice which is relevant to the building work you want to carry out (e.g from an Architect, a Structural Engineer, a Building Surveyor, a Heating Engineer or Replacement Window Specialist and to choose a registered builder, or a registered installer, to carry out the work.

The Government’s Quality Mark scheme can help you find builders who have been independently checked, on-site, to make sure they have the skills and resources to do the job properly. The names of any registered firms in your area, and information about the scheme, can be obtained from the Quality Mark Call Centre. Similarly, information on each of the registered installers’ schemes can be obtained from the approving body.

Other Organisations that are able to recommend contactors are: HBF, IOP, ECA etc.

• Recommendations
• Contract
• Insurance Warranty
• See work

If a dispute arises concerning your building work, you are advised to contact Suffolk County Council Trading Standards, Consumer Advice Service.

Their Advisors can give advice on any of the following issues:-

• The work is taking longer than was anticipated or agreed;
• The cost of the work is likely to be more than was anticipated or agreed;
• You feel the work is not being carried out to the standard you would like;
• The materials used for the work do not appear to be of satisfactory quality;
• Work is unfinished or you are being pressured into having unnecessary work carried out;
• The work has been finished and Building Control has not approved the structure.

Should you require the assistance of an Advisor they can be contacted on 01473 584358.