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Mortgage & Finance Professionals

From arranging a stage-payment self-build mortgage to accessing Help to Build and development finance for a small developer - a guide to every mortgage and finance profession in the UK building sector and when you need each one.

3
Professions covered
CeMAP / FCA
Key qualifications
FCA / NACFB
Primary regulatory bodies
fee-free or % of loan
Typical broker cost
Home Building Professions Mortgage & Finance Professionals
All (3)
Self-build
Development finance
Grants

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Mortgage & finance qualifications explained

FCA authorisation is the primary regulatory requirement for mortgage brokers. Here is what the key qualifications and memberships mean for self-build and development finance professionals.

CeMAP
Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice

CeMAP is the industry-standard qualification for mortgage advisers and brokers in the UK. Awarded by the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF), it demonstrates competence in mortgage products, regulation and advice. All FCA authorised mortgage brokers must hold CeMAP or an equivalent qualification. A self-build mortgage broker should additionally demonstrate specialist knowledge of self-build lending products and stage payment structures.

Applies to: Self-Build Mortgage Broker
libf.ac.uk
FCA Authorised
Financial Conduct Authority

All mortgage brokers advising on regulated mortgage contracts must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). FCA authorisation can be verified on the FCA Financial Services Register. Always check FCA authorisation before engaging any mortgage broker. Note that most development finance (bridging loans, development loans) is not regulated by the FCA, so development finance brokers may not be FCA authorised.

Applies to: Self-Build Mortgage Broker
Verify at fca.org.uk register
NACFB Member
National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers

NACFB membership is the principal quality indicator for commercial and development finance brokers. NACFB members must meet entry standards covering qualifications, insurance and conduct. Full NACFB membership with patron lender relationships gives access to a broad panel of development finance lenders. A reliable quality indicator for development finance brokers working on residential and commercial development projects.

Applies to: Development Finance Broker
nacfb.org
LIBF Member
London Institute of Banking and Finance

LIBF membership and fellowship indicate ongoing professional development in financial services. The LIBF awards CeMAP and other mortgage qualifications and provides CPD resources for mortgage advisers. LIBF Affiliate or Fellow status alongside CeMAP indicates a commitment to professional standards in mortgage advice.

Applies to: Self-Build Mortgage Broker
libf.ac.uk
Help to Build
Government Equity Loan Scheme

Help to Build is an equity loan scheme for self-build and custom build projects in England, providing loans of 5-20% of the estimated build cost (capped at 20% in London). The equity loan is interest-free for the first five years. A specialist self-build mortgage broker can advise on eligibility and arrange the Help to Build equity loan alongside the main self-build mortgage.

Applies to: Self-Build Mortgage Broker, Grant Funding Consultant
gov.uk/help-to-build
PLI Note
Professional Indemnity Insurance

FCA authorised mortgage brokers are required to hold Professional Indemnity Insurance as a condition of FCA authorisation. NACFB members are also required to hold adequate PII. Always ask for a current PII certificate before engaging any mortgage or development finance broker. The FCA Financial Services Register shows whether a broker is currently authorised.

Applies to: All mortgage and finance professionals