Here you will find information on the various organisations that deal with trades and professions involved in home building or home improvements in Ireland. Many professions are involved in home improvements and the major ones are listed here. Many service suppliers are not members of any trade or professional body and you may not be able to complain to any of these organisations. The best way to ensure that you get the service that you are looking for is to follow the advice given in our document Your rights when you buy a service. Consumer contracts are protected by the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980. If you have a contract with a service supplier you can expect that:
In a service contract, at the very least, you should ensure that you know the price of the service and the time that it will take to complete the agreed work.
The National Guild of Master Craftsmen is a representative organisation for trades and professions. They run a complaints service and will act as an intermediary in a dispute between a consumer and a member of theirs.
The Construction Industry Federation is the trade organisation of people involved in the construction industry. You may complain here about a builder who is a member of the federation. The CIF also provides information on their website as to how to hire a builder and tips on what to look for, from a building point of view, if you are buying a new house
The Irish Home Builders Association (IHBA) in conjunction with CIF, represents the views of the private home building industry in Ireland.
HomeBond, the National House Building Guarantee Scheme, is a scheme established by the Construction Industry Federation and the Irish Home Builders Association, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment. It ensures that proper building standards are maintained and protects purchasers by underwriting any major structural defects in new homes. Buyers should check that their particular builder or developer is Homebond registered. Further information is available on the Homebond website. Homebond can be contacted by email: info@homebond.ie or by telephone 1850 306 300
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland aims to protect the public by insisting on high standards of professional conduct and admitting only properly examined members.
It is proposed to introduce a Building Control Bill which, among other things, will provide for the registration of the titles of "Architect", "Building Surveyor" and "Quantity Surveyor".
There are two representative bodies for auctioneers:
They are self-governing and operate codes of practice. They each have a complaints procedure for members of the public and a compensation fund for cases of misappropriation of clients’ funds.
The Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS) is the professional body for Chartered Surveyors.
Register of Electrical Contractors of Ireland (RECI) is a voluntary self-regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry. It aims to promote and protect the interests of the public as users of electrical service so that they obtain an acceptable standard of workmanship and technical competence within the electrical contracting industry. RECI investigates complaints about the standard of work of registered contractors.
Electrical Contractors Safety and Standards Association Ltd. (ECSSA) is a voluntary self-regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry. It aims to improve the standards of electrical installation work in Ireland by promoting and protecting the interests of the public relating to electrical services. A complaint about an ECSSA member will be investigated by an ECSSA Inspector.
Institution of Engineers of Ireland is the regulatory organisation for professional engineering in Ireland. One of its aims is to maintain standards of professional ethics and conduct.
Currently there are no representative bodies for plumbers. However, if you are installing or working on a gas heating system or cooker it is important for your safety that you get a competent gas installer. Bord Gáis, as part of a safety assurance programme, maintains a list of competent gas installers. Irish Standards exist (I.S. 813 or I.S. 820) to protect you from sub standard work, which, in the case of gas equipment installation or repair, could be deadly. You can find a Bord Gáis Registered Gas Installer in your area by clicking here.