Become a Master Builder

Becoming a Master Builder enables you to display the badge of quality that the best professional builders deserve. FMB membership must be earned: new members are required to pass a strict vetting and independent inspection process before joining to ensure they meet the high standards of a Master Builder. Our members also benefit from free expert advice and access to a wide range of support services to help them manage and grow their business.

To celebrate our 80th anniversary, we’re offering £80 off the application fee* for applications received before 31 August 2021.

Call us on 0330 333 7777, apply online or request a callback today.

Discover the benefits of membership

We help Master Builders to promote, protect and grow their business, and we connect homeowners with professional, local builders they can trust. Join us for only £49 a month (plus VAT).

Win more work

The badge of quality

The FMB logo is a mark of quality and credibility. It helps members to stand out in a highly competitive industry as a professional builder that clients can trust. Our members are proud to put their company forward for an independent inspection and professional vetting to demonstrate they meet the high standards of a Master Builder.

Your Find a Builder listing

Thousands of homeowners use our Find a Builder search every month; it is even listed on the Planning Portal. Showcase your business by adding case studies and customer testimonials to help you win more work. Our membership team are here to help you build a great profile and attract new clients.

Access to TrustMark

TrustMark is the only government-endorsed standards scheme for trades that operate in and around the home. Trades must join via a scheme operator, and the FMB is the largest. Members can add TrustMark registration for a small additional fee.

Protect your business

Contract templates

Our easy-to-use, jargon-free contract templates provide extra professionalism for your business and help to give you and your clients confidence and peace of mind.

Discounted insurance

FMB Insurance offers an extensive range of insurance policies and warranties to protect your business. As a member, you can access discounted rates, helping you to save money at the same time.

Help resolving complaints

We offer a government-approved dispute resolution service to help get projects back on track in the event of a disagreement arising.

Support your business

Exclusive member discounts

As a Master Builder you get exclusive access to discounts and offers from our product and service providers. From money off bespoke websites to discounted building materials, don't miss out on member-only offers.

Unlimited expert advice

We provide unlimited expert advice through our business helplines so you can access support when you need it most. Our advisors can help with HR, health and safety, legal, tax, business and technical matters.

Free online training

As a member you and your workforce can access free certified online training courses on a wide range of topics from health & safety to managing people, to gain new skills or refresh your knowledge.

Be part of something bigger

Your voice in government

Feedback from members informs our lobbying of national and devolved governments for more support for the construction industry. We are the trusted voice of small and medium-sized builders and we work with the media to raise awareness of issues that matter to members.

Join the FMB community

Our members are proud to be Master Builders, and our private Members’ Group on Facebook is just one way members across the UK can connect, learn from, and support each other. We also host events and celebrate members' hard work through the biennial Master Builder Awards.

Keeping you updated

As a member, you’ll receive updates on industry news and information on events and training in your local area through regular newsletters and the Master Builder magazine. You can also access webinars featuring industry experts to learn more about changes in the construction sector.

What our members say about us

What started out as an idea simply to expand our client base has through the FMB's other products and services, become about how we learn grow and improve as builders... The FMB also acts on one level as a kind of support club. A place where builders from all over the country can share information and ideas, not only about problems some of us are facing now, but also about how the industry can move forward and meet the challenges we’ll all face tomorrow.”

Nik Nelberg, Earl and Calam Design and Build Ltd

It’s not just about their one-to-one guidance, their mentorship, their online forums and support, their helplines, their useful forms, their continual legal updates which help you operate and guide your business – it really is about being human and just being able to pick up that phone knowing that you’re going to get the support should you need it.”

Leah Charles, Charles J Hancock Ltd

I know their materials have gone a long way to help me win work. People have said that it is impressive, and you don’t get it from other builders, so it helps to give you a foot in the door over other builders who are quoting for the same job.”

Ian Smith, Smith and Son Construction Ltd

Being a part of the Federation of Master Builders gives my clients confidence and reassures them that they're getting a Master Builder to help build their dream home.”

Aidan McCabe, Amac Building

The Federation of Master Builders has provided us with the knowledge, professional advice and support to help us develop our business model and to become a trusted property development company.”

Russell Everett, Excel Home Design Ltd

I have found work opportunities through fellow members and I have formed friendships and business relationships with other industry colleagues. I am proud to be a Master Builder and I encourage other builders to join our community to make valuable connections.”

Willie Moffitt, Moffitt & Robinson

What's involved?

Before becoming a Master Builder all new members must meet our membership criteria as well as passing our vetting and inspection process. This provides credible proof that your company builds better and is what sets our members apart from the competition, giving peace of mind to homeowners and helping you secure more business. Because of this commitment to quality the join process can take between three to four weeks.

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Apply online

Answer our eligibility questions to see that you qualify to apply for FMB membership.
Fill in the online form providing your business name and contact details.
Within 48 hours one of our friendly membership team will contact you to learn a bit more about your business and how FMB membership could work for you.

The vetting and inspection process

We will carry out a range of checks including your trading history, insurance, credit history and director checks for limited companies.
We will ask you to provide us with copies of proof of identification, proof of trading history, proof of public liability insurance cover and details of a current or recently completed project to be inspected.
If you pass the initial assessment checks we will agree a time for our independent inspection partner to visit your client site to carry an inspection of your work*.

* We require all members to be inspected every three years to ensure that Master Builders remain committed to the highest quality standards. An application fee of £142.50 (+ VAT) covers the cost of the initial inspection. Future three-yearly inspections will be covered by the FMB.

Activating your membership

The inspection will take place at a time agreed with you and your client and we will be in touch within 24 hours of the inspection if you have been successful.
We will set up your subscription. You may pay monthly by direct debit or annually by card, BACS or direct debit.
We will ask you to sign up to the FMB terms and conditions and FMB code of conduct which lays down the standard practices expected of our members in the construction industry.
Success! Your FMB membership will be activated.

Welcome to FMB membership

We will arrange a welcome call to help to make the most of the member benefits relevant to you and your business.
You will receive free FMB van stickers, a Tradepoint 10% discount card and regular member emails with the latest industry updates, as well as a copy of our Master Builder magazine every two months.
You will have access to the member area of the website where you can download free contracts and member discount codes, access business helplines and marketing materials to help promote your business and access online training for you and your employees, as well as much much more.
Our membership team will always be on hand to help you to make the most of your FMB membership, whether that's to maximise the potential of your profile or guide you to specific member benefits to help you manage your business more effectively.

*Terms and conditions 80th Anniversary Member Offer

The Federation of Master Builders (“The FMB”) is the promoter.

The FMB 80^th Anniversary Membership Offer (“Offer”) refers to a promotion to save £80 off a membership Application Fee when applying to join The FMB.

To qualify for the Offer a completed application form must be submitted between 00:01 hours on Tuesday 15 June 2021 and midnight on Tuesday 31 August 2021.
The Offer is £80 off the Application Fee of £171.00 (including VAT); therefore, applicants are required to pay the Application Fee of £75.83 (+VAT) at the start of the application process.
The Offer will apply to new applicants only.
All applications are subject to The FMB’s standard membership requirements and vetting and inspection processes. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance into membership.
Should the applicant withdraw an application after The FMB have received it or any information arises from the vetting process that mean the membership application is unable to be processed, The FMB will retain the Application Fee. All other monies received will be refunded.
The FMB cannot be held responsible for any lost or misdirected applications.
'A fully completed application' must include:
- A completed application form.
- Copies of current Public Liability insurance certificate and, if applicable, Employers’ Liability insurance certificate.
- Photo ID
- Direct Debit Details
Upon being accepted into membership, members can either pay the full of £588 (plus VAT) up front, or in 12 instalments of £49 (plus VAT) by direct debit.
Membership will automatically renew at the end of 12 months unless notice is given.
This Offer is not valid in conjunction with any other offers.
The FMB reserves the right to cancel or amend this Offer and these Terms and Conditions without notice.
The Terms and Conditions are governed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
The Promoter is The Federation of Master Builders Limited, its registered office is Star House, Star Hill, Rochester. Kent. ME1 1UX.

June 2021