Improving your new home

Congratulations, you did it! You have your very own home and can now start adding special touches.

Here's a list of useful websites that could help you on your way:

Architects and Planning

Royal Institute of British Architects
www.riba.org

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
www.rias.org.uk

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
www.rics.org

Planning Portal for England and Wales
www.planningportal.gov.uk

Planning Portal for Scotland
www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/planning

Local Councils
www.direct.gov.uk/Dl1/Directories/LocalCouncils/fs/en

Building

Federation of Master Builders (FMB)
www.fmb.org.uk
www.findabuilder.co.uk

National Federation of Builders
www.builders.org.uk

National Federation of Roofing contractors
www.nfrc.co.uk

Decorating

Painting & Decorating Association
www.paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

Scottish Decorators Federation
www.scottishdecorators.co.uk

British Interior Design Association
www.bida.org

Energy

Energy Saving Trust
www.est.org.uk/myhome

National Energy Foundation
www.nef.org.uk

National Energy Action
www.nea.org.uk

Energy Efficient Appliances
www.halifaxshoppingextra.co.uk

Gardens

www.grow.co.uk

www.Gardeners-Quotes.co.uk

Gas & Electric

Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI)
www.corgi-gas-safety.com

Electrical Contractors' Association
www.eca.co.uk

Glazing

Glass and Glazing Federation
www.ggf.co.uk

FENSA (Fenestration Self Assessment)
www.fensa.co.uk

Heating

Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association
www.hvca.org.uk

Heating and Hotwater Information Council
www.centralheating.co.uk/

Kitchens & Bathrooms

UK Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialist Association (KBSA)
www.ksa.co.uk

Plumbing

The Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering
www.iphe.org.uk

Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors
www.aphc.co.uk

Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation
www.snipef.org

Retailers

B&Q
www.diy.com

Focus
www.focusdiy.co.uk

Homebase
www.homebase.co.uk

Dulux
www.dulux.co.uk

British Gas
www.house.co.uk

Security

Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB)
www.ssaib.org

Locksmiths
www.locksmiths.co.uk

Government advice
www.crimereduction.gov.uk