How to choose an installer

Before you start

• Get an assessment first. An occupational therapist can tell you what you need. That helps you compare quotes and avoid paying for things you do not need. How to get an assessment.
• If you are getting a grant, ask the council how it works before you choose a builder. Do not start work before the grant is approved.

Trader schemes

A scheme does not guarantee good work, but it means the company has been checked and has agreed to standards, and there is somewhere to go if things go wrong.

TrustMark

TrustMark says it is "the only UK Government-Endorsed Quality Scheme for work carried out in and around the home". Registered businesses are checked by approved scheme providers and must meet standards of "technical competence, trading practices and customer service". You can search for a TrustMark registered business (opens another website). TrustMark says to make sure the business is registered for the specific trade you need.

If something goes wrong, TrustMark has a three-stage complaints process (opens another website): first the business, then its scheme provider, then the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman.

Buy With Confidence

Buy With Confidence (opens another website) is a register of businesses approved by council Trading Standards services. Businesses are vetted and audited, and criminal-record checked if they go into homes. It says "over 60 local authorities" support the scheme, so it does not cover every area.

Which? Trusted Traders

Which? Trusted Traders (opens another website) is run by the consumer organisation Which?. Traders are assessed by trading standards professionals, including a credit check, customer references and an interview. Traders pay membership fees to be listed.

British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA)

The BHTA is a trade association for companies that supply healthcare and mobility products. Its Code of Practice is listed under the Chartered Trading Standards Institute's Approved Code scheme. One of its principles is that "no customer will be coerced in any way". You can check whether a company is a BHTA member (opens another website).

Electricians and gas engineers

• Electrics: work near a bath or shower should be done by an electrician registered with a government-authorised scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT. You can search the Electrical Competent Person Register (opens another website). See electrical safety in the bathroom.
• Gas: if the work involves a boiler or gas appliance, HSE says anyone working on gas in a home "must be a Gas Safe registered engineer". Gas Safe engineers carry an ID card that shows what they are qualified to work on.

Quotes, contracts and deposits

Citizens Advice says:

• "Try to get written quotes from at least 3 different traders before you decide on one."
• A quote is a fixed price. An estimate is "just a rough guess, so you might end up paying more".
• "Always try to get a contract in writing" before you tell the trader to go ahead.
• Keep any deposit as low as you can — it says "don't agree to more than 25%".
• "Don't agree to pay everything up front."

Use our list of questions to ask installers.

Warning signs

Age UK and Citizens Advice warn about:

• traders who turn up uninvited and say they have "noticed something wrong" with your home
• pushy selling, such as "large discounts, time-limited offers"
• scare tactics, or refusing to leave until you buy
• traders who only give a mobile number, only take cash, or will not put anything in writing

Age UK says: "Never sign anything on the spot." If you feel pressured, ask the salesperson to leave. You have rights — see your rights when you buy at home.

This guide is general information, not medical, financial or legal advice. Everyone’s needs are different. Speak to an occupational therapist, your GP or the organisations we link to before making decisions.