The FMB will work closely alongside companies, trade associations and accreditation providers such as British Gas, Which? Trusted Trader and NAPIT for building services.

With raising standards and protecting consumers, at the forefront of many people’s minds, the FMB is bringing its own influence and links to SME builders and will play a key part in NHIC’s data gathering, information sharing and sector engagement strategies.

Sarah McMonagle, director or of external affairs at the FMB, will sit on the Leaders Council of the NHIC which for more than 40 years has maintained a close liaison with government, local authorities, housing associations, private householders and landlords, as well as other trade bodies, product manufacturers and service providers.

Sarah said: “Following the recent publication of the Bonfield Review ‘Each Home Counts’, it has never been more important for organisations in the home improvement sector to work together through organisations like the NHIC. The FMB is the largest construction trade association in the UK and represents the thousands of small building firms which will actually deliver the improvements to our existing homes that the government’s carbon reduction target demands.

“However, if we are going to raise standards in this arena we should not limit ourselves to energy efficiency and renewables work – we must be even more ambitious and raise standards right across the private domestic sector and then seek the financial incentives from the government to stimulate demand for these improvements among consumers.”

Anna Scothern, executive director at the NHIC, added: “The FMB is one part of an expanding NHIC membership, which brings together all aspects of the home improvement sector. As well as providing members with knowledge sharing and business development opportunities, the NHIC celebrates innovation and provides consumers with impartial advice to help them safely improve the quality, energy efficiency and living standards within their home.”

As well as sitting on the Leaders Council and interacting with decision makers to get the best results for consumers, the FMB also supports NHIC initiatives such as the annual awards, which highlight and reward excellence in home improvement.

As the UK suffers the legacy of Europe’s oldest and least thermally efficient housing stock, the NHIC provides an important source of impartial advice and information sharing on all manner of home improvements.