Loft Conversions London: Trade And Professional Memberships
London loft conversions are an increasingly popular way for homeowners to expand
the useable space within their house without going through all of the hassle and expense of moving. Professional or trade memberships can be a double edged sword when it comes to finding London loft conversion companies.Certain trade memberships, such as participation in the government-backed TrustMark scheme, should give the public confidence that a company has been vetted and adheres to a code of conduct that is fair to consumers. Vetting for TrustMark is fairly rigorous and involves an independent inspector visiting some of the company's London loft conversions to appraise the work. TrustMark companies have to offer you an insurance backed guarantee (known as an IBG) and many include this with every loft conversion. Even if it is not included, it is something that you should seriously consider as it will ensure that your guarantee is upheld even if the company issuing it goes out of business.
Other organisations, such as the Guild of Master Craftsmen, cater for a very broad spectrum of companies, from dry cleaners to London loft conversion companies. With such a range of companies under one roof it is difficult to see how such organisations can distinguish between good and bad loft conversion specialists. It often surprises consumers to learn that most organisations such as this do not visit any of the company's customer's properties and sometimes only check a couple of references by phone. Such organisations frequently fail to offer a mediation service in the event of a problem arising and can be powerless to deal with complaints.
Professional memberships are very different from trade memberships. Trade memberships, in addition to the above, include organisations such as the National Federation of Builders (NFB) and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Professional memberships are much rarer than trade memberships amongst loft conversion companies in London because they require the company to directly employ professionally qualified staff. Advertising claims made by companies often include statements that a company has an 'in-house architect' or 'professional project management'. In fact, the vast majority of London loft companies subcontract out their architectural work (often not to qualified architects) and do not offer professional management.
Any London loft conversion company who is entitled to make these claims will be able to provide details of their professionally qualified employees. The term 'architect' is protected by the Architects Act 1997 meaning that a person may not describe himself as an architect unless he is registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). In addition, most architects are members of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and are entitled to use the letters RIBA after their names.
In order to offer 'professional project management' most companies will employ a chartered building surveyor who is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and is entitled to use the letters MRICS after his name. Alternatively a loft conversion company may employ a member of the Chartered Institute Of Building (CIOB) who is entitled to use the letters MCIOB after his name.
All of the above professional bodies have strict codes of conduct so that you can be assured that their members are properly trained, regulated and competent in their field. You should have confidence that any loft conversion company in London employing chartered professionals is likely to be well managed, properly resourced, and able to deal with any issues that may arise.
You should always verify any claimed trade or professional affiliation directly with the body concerned as it has been known for some companies who have either been struck off or were never members in the first place to continue to display the applicable logo.
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