Registers are how you check that the people working on your home really hold the credentials they claim. Rather than taking a firm’s word for it, you can look them up on the official, public registers — free of charge and independent of the trader. Doing this before you commit is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself, especially with grant-funded energy work. This page explains the main registers and how to use them.
The registers to check
- The TrustMark register – TrustMark is the government-endorsed quality scheme for work in and around the home. Its online register lets you confirm a business is currently registered and see the type of work it is approved for.
- The EPC register – every Energy Performance Certificate is lodged on the central register, published by the government on GOV.UK. You can find an existing EPC for a property, or locate an accredited assessor, through the ‘find an energy certificate’ service.
- The MCS register – for low-carbon technology such as heat pumps and solar panels, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme publishes a register of certified installers and certified installations.
How to check
Ask the business for its registration or certificate number, then search for it directly on the relevant register rather than following a link the trader gives you. Confirm the name matches, the registration is current, and it covers the specific type of work — a firm registered for one measure is not automatically approved for another.
If a business cannot be found, or the details do not match, that is a genuine warning sign worth acting on before any money changes hands. For related guidance, see our energy and water section and our pages on accredited installers and certification bodies within these accreditations.