Useful Links

Trade Associations - General Building and Construction Trade Bodies

Federation of Master Builders (FMB) - http://www.fmb.org.uk/
Trade body for the UK building industry. Its c.15,000 members must meet the organisation's standards of working practice and business methods, making membership a recognised hallmark of quality.

Construction Confederation (CC) - http://www.thecc.org.uk/
Contractors' trade association representing around 5,000 companies, together responsible for over 75% of the industry's turnover within the UK.

Home Builders Federation (HBF) - http://www.hbf.co.uk/
The Home Builders Federation is the principal trade organisation for private sector housebuilders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. It is an exciting industry filled with many talented people and organisations, providing sustainable and attractive homes to meet the demands of consumers.

Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (IPHE) - http://www.iphe.org.uk/
As the UK plumbing and heating industry's professional body, the IPHE with its registered educational charity status strives to raise standards of plumbing and heating for everyone.

National Federation of Builders (NFB) - www.builders.org.uk/nfb
Long-established trade organisation for the UK construction industry, which has served its members since the late 19th century.

Trade Associations - Professional Bodies

Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors - http://www.rics.org/
Professional body representing chartered surveyors.

The Institution of Structural Engineers - http://www.istructe.org/
Professional body representing structural engineers.

The Royal Institute of British Architects - http://www.riba.org/
Professional body representing architects.

Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers - http://www.cibse.org/
Professional body representing building services engineers.

Trade Associations - Products and Materials Manufacturers, Suppliers and Lobbyists

Construction Products Association (CPA) - http://www.constructionproducts.org.uk/
Federation of 43 trade associations representing UK manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of products for the construction and building industry.

Institute of Builders Merchants (IOBM) - http://www.instbm.co.uk/
The Institute of Builders Merchants was set up in 1968 to develop professional attitudes among builders merchants.

Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) - http://www.bathroom-association.org/
UK trade association for manufacturers of bathroom products, Its membership represents some 87% of major bathroom manufacturers trading in the UK.

Brick Development Association Ltd (BDA) - http://www.brick.org.uk/
Association of manufacturers of clay bricks and pavers within the UK and Ireland, representing around 95% of the UK and Ireland's total brick making capacity.

British Cement Association (BCA) - http://www.cementindustry.co.uk/
Trade body for the UK cement industry, representing the sector at national and European levels, and undertaking research.

British Plastics Federation (BPF) - http://www.bpf.co.uk/
Trade organisation for the plastics industry in the UK. Its membership represents about 80% of national turnover within the sector.

British Woodworking Federation Federation (BWF) - http://www.bwf.org.uk/
Trade organisation representing joinery, the woodworking industry, and manufacturers, distributors and installers of timber products used in building.

Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) - http://www.gai.org.uk/
Trade association for the architectural ironmongery industry in the UK.

Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA) - http://www.trada.co.uk/
TRADA is a not-for-profit organisation operating as a centre of excellence for the use and specification of timber in the construction industry.

Timber Trade Federation (TTF) - http://www.ttf.co.uk/
Trade body representing timber importers, agents, distributors and suppliers, plus users of wood and wood products.

Wood For Good - http://www.woodforgood.com/
Organisation promoting wood as a sustainable building material.

Traditional Housing Bureau (THB) - http://www.housebuilder.org.uk/
Lobbying body for the modern masonry construction industry, promoting brick and block construction.

British Blind and Shutter Association - http://www.bbsa.org.uk/
Trade association representing UK manufacturers and suppliers of blinds, awnings, and security shutters and grilles.

Trade Associations - Other

Freight Transport Association (FTA) - http://www.fta.org.uk/
Trade association for the freight transport industry.

Trade Association Forum - http://www.taforum.org/
Organisation promoting the role of UK trade associations, and providing information on existing UK trade bodies.

Events

SED - http://www.sed.co.uk/
Site Equipment Demonstration is the annual national event for construction, giving you the chance to check out all the latest construction plant, equipment, trucks, cranes and access and more.

Ecobuild - http://www.ecobuild.co.uk/
Showcases sustainability in design, construction, and the built environment.

National Construction Week - http://www.ncw.org.uk/
Annual event promoting the construction industry.

Building and Construction Directories

CJ Directory, powered by Kellysearch Construction - http://www.cjdirectory.co.uk/
Search engine for the UK building and construction industry, produced in association with Kellysearch, the business directory, and Contract Journal magazine, serving the construction industry with news for over 125 years.

archbone - http://www.archbone.co.uk/
Directory of construction related suppliers, providing links to manufacturer and supplier websites.

Barbour Compendium Online from Barbour Index - www.barbour.info/barbourcompendiumonline
Searchable database listing UK building products and suppliers, and details of building products from over 7,500 UK manufacturers.

Building Products Index - http://www.bpindex.co.uk/
UK directory of building products manufacturers and suppliers.

Government and Related Organisations

Construction Trends from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - www.dti.gov.uk/construction/stats/
The DTI provides market data on the UK construction industry, tracking work, employment and other information, updated each month.

Health and Safety in Construction from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - www.hse.gov.uk/construction
The HSE deals with all aspects of health and safety in construction work in England, Scotland and Wales.

HM Revenue & Customs: New Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) - www.hmrc.gov.uk/new-cis/
Information from the Revenue on the rules how payments to subcontractors for construction work by construction industry contractors and other businesses.

Constructing Excellence - http://www.constructingexcellence.org.uk/
Forum for excellence within the construction industry, incorporating Construction Best Practice, Rethinking Construction, Movement for Innovation (M4i), the Housing Forum, and Local Government Task Force websites.

Charities

CRASH: the construction and property industry charity for the homeless - http://www.crash.org.uk/
Construction and property industry charity for the homeless.

Other

Buildingtalk - http://www.buildingtalk.com/
Buildingtalk is a news and information website for the construction industry, which publishes content direct from manufacturers.

UCATT: The Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians - http://www.ucatt.org.uk/
Specialist construction workers' union serving over 120,000 members employed in building trades and the construction industry.

British Board of Agrement (BBA) - http://www.bbacerts.co.uk/
The BBA assesses and certifies innovative construction products, in its role as partner with the UK government to provide technical approvals for the construction industry.

Play the Regs from the Construction Products Association (CPA) - http://www.playtheregs.com/
Website designed to give architects, designers, builders and manufacturers a simple introduction to Part L of the Building Regulations, and how combinations of products affect compliance.

Energy Savings Trust for Housing Professionals (EST) - www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/housingbuildings/
Information and advice on sustainable and efficient use of energy, designed for the housing industry.

e-Xact Online - http://www.e-xact.net/html/default.aspx
e-Xact is an online construction product database.