General Builder
For smaller projects a good general builder will manage and carry out a wide range of trades themselves, subcontracting specialists where needed. Understanding what a general builder can and cannot do - and what to look for when hiring one - is the starting point for most domestic projects.
Read full guideAll hands-on trades
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Bricklayer
Lays bricks, blocks and stone to build walls, foundations, chimneys and garden structures. The backbone of most residential extensions and new builds. CSCS card expected on all but the smallest domestic jobs.
Read guide Hands-on TradesPlasterer
Applies plaster, render and dry-lining to walls and ceilings. Covers both wet plastering (traditional sand and cement / finishing coat) and dry lining (plasterboard). Essential after any structural work, rewire or replumb.
Read guide Hands-on TradesElectrician
Installs, tests and maintains electrical systems in buildings. Domestic electrical work in kitchens, bathrooms and consumer units falls under Part P of the Building Regulations - always use a registered electrician (NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA).
Read guide Hands-on TradesPlumber
Installs and repairs water supply, drainage and heating pipework. Not all plumbers are Gas Safe registered - if your job involves a boiler, gas cooker or gas fire, check the Gas Safe Register before instructing anyone.
Read guide Hands-on TradesRoofer
Installs and repairs roofing systems including tiles, slates, flat roof membranes, felt and flashings. Specialist sub-trades include leadworkers and flat roof specialists. Always check they carry public liability insurance.
Read guide Hands-on TradesCarpenter / Joiner
Carpentry covers site work - roof structures, stud walls, floor joists, door and window frames. Joinery covers the workshop production of staircases, doors, windows and fitted furniture. Many tradespeople cover both.
Read guide Hands-on TradesPainter & Decorator
Prepares and finishes internal and external surfaces - emulsion, gloss, eggshell, specialist coatings, wallpaper and decorative effects. Often the final trade on site; the quality of their prep determines the quality of the finish.
Read guide Hands-on TradesTiler
Fixes ceramic, porcelain, natural stone and mosaic tiles to walls and floors. Wet room and bathroom tiling requires proper waterproofing (tanking) behind the tiles - always check your tiler understands this requirement.
Read guide Hands-on TradesGlazier
Cuts, fits and replaces glass in windows, doors, rooflights and curtain walling. Replacement of double glazing in a window frame is notifiable under Part L of the Building Regulations in most cases.
Read guide Hands-on TradesScaffolder
Erects and dismantles temporary access and working platforms for construction and maintenance work at height. CISRS (Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme) card is the recognised qualification. Always use a NASC member firm for larger scaffolds.
Read guide Hands-on TradesGeneral Builder
Carries out a wide range of construction tasks and manages smaller projects end to end. On larger jobs, a good general builder will coordinate specialist subcontractors. Federation of Master Builders (FMB) membership is a useful quality indicator.
Read guide Hands-on TradesDemolition Contractor
Carries out partial or full demolition of buildings and structures. Larger demolition projects require a Construction Phase Plan and notification to the HSE under CDM Regulations. National Demolition Training Group (NDTG) certification indicates proper training.
Read guide Hands-on TradesGroundworker
Carries out all below-ground and ground-level work - excavation, foundations, drainage, concrete slabs, roads and paths. Usually the first trade on site for any new build or extension. CPCS plant operator card required for machine operation.
Read guide Hands-on TradesDryliner
Specialises in plasterboard partitions, ceilings and dry-lining systems including metal stud, resilient bar and acoustic partitions. Often works alongside plasterers; on larger sites drylining is a dedicated trade with its own CSCS card category.
Read guide Hands-on TradesFlooring Installer
Installs hard and soft floor coverings including hardwood, engineered wood, LVT, carpet, tiles and resin floors. Sub-floor preparation is critical - a good flooring installer will assess and prepare the substrate before laying anything.
Read guide Hands-on TradesInsulation Installer
Installs cavity wall, loft, floor and internal wall insulation. Cavity wall and external wall insulation installers must be PAS 2030 certified and registered with a government-approved scheme to qualify for ECO or GBIS grant funding.
Read guide Hands-on TradesKitchen Fitter
Assembles and installs kitchen units, worktops, appliances and associated plumbing. A good kitchen fitter coordinates with electricians and plumbers for first-fix services before units go in. Ask for evidence of previous installations before booking.
Read guide Hands-on TradesBathroom Fitter
Installs bathroom suites, shower enclosures, baths, basins and associated tiling and waterproofing. The best bathroom fitters are multi-skilled across plumbing, tiling and basic carpentry. Wet room installation requires specialist tanking knowledge.
Read guide Hands-on TradesWindow Fitter / Fenestration Installer
Installs replacement windows, doors and rooflights. Window replacement is notifiable under Part L (energy) of the Building Regulations. Use a FENSA or Certass registered installer to self-certify the work and obtain a compliance certificate automatically.
Read guide Hands-on TradesGas Engineer
Installs, services and repairs gas appliances including boilers, cookers and fires. Gas Safe registration is a legal requirement in the UK - it is illegal to carry out gas work without it. Always check the engineer's Gas Safe ID card before any gas work begins.
Read guide Hands-on TradesHeating Engineer
Designs, installs and services central heating systems including radiators, underfloor heating and hot water cylinders. Overlaps with gas engineer for boiler work. CIPHE membership (Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering) indicates professional standing.
Read guide Hands-on TradesVentilation Engineer
Installs and commissions ventilation systems including extract fans, PIV units and MVHR. Part F of the Building Regulations covers ventilation - new build and major renovation projects must meet minimum ventilation standards tested and certified at completion.
Read guide Hands-on TradesWaterproofer / Tanking Specialist
Applies waterproofing membranes and tanking systems to basements, wet rooms, flat roofs and retaining walls. CSSW (Certificate in Structural Waterproofing) from the Property Care Association is the recognised qualification for basement waterproofing work.
Read guide Hands-on TradesDamp Proofing Specialist
Diagnoses and treats rising damp, penetrating damp and condensation issues. CSRT (Certificate in Remedial Treatment) from the Property Care Association is the industry standard qualification. Always get an independent survey before accepting a contractor's diagnosis.
Read guideTrade qualifications and certifications explained
Many building trades are legally regulated - using an unregistered tradesperson can invalidate your insurance, breach Building Regulations and create safety risks. Here is what the key certifications mean.
The standard site access card confirming health and safety competence and trade qualification. Different card colours indicate different levels - Labourer (green), Skilled Worker (blue), Supervisor (gold), Manager (black). Required on virtually all commercial sites.
Legal requirement for anyone working on gas appliances in the UK. It is a criminal offence to carry out gas work without Gas Safe registration. Always check the engineer's ID card and verify online before instructing any gas work.
Government-approved competent person schemes for domestic electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations. A registered electrician can self-certify their work without Building Control involvement. ELECSA and STROMA are also approved schemes.
Government-approved schemes for window and door replacement under Part L of the Building Regulations. A FENSA or Certass registered installer issues a compliance certificate automatically - without registration, you need to notify Building Control separately.
Membership of the FMB requires passing a site inspection and credit check. Members must abide by a code of practice and offer a deposit protection scheme. Not a regulatory requirement but a useful quality indicator when choosing a general builder.
CSSW (Certificate in Structural Waterproofing) and CSRT (Certificate in Remedial Treatment) are the Property Care Association's specialist qualifications for waterproofing and damp treatment. PCA membership indicates a surveyor and contractor held to a professional code.
Not a qualification but essential to check for every tradesperson you hire. PLI covers damage to your property or injury to third parties caused by their work. Minimum £1m cover is standard; larger projects warrant £2m+. Always ask to see a current certificate.