How we vet every Federation of Damp member
This is the proof behind our register. Before a specialist is listed as a current member, they pass a structured vetting process. And they remain accountable to Federation of Damp standards for as long as they are listed.
A certificate is not the same as current membership
Anyone can show a homeowner a training certificate. A certificate confirms only that someone completed a course at some point. It does not confirm they are still insured, still working to a standard, or accountable to anyone today.
Membership of the Federation of Damp is different. Every listed member has passed the vetting process below and remains subject to our standards for as long as they appear on the register.
If a contractor is not listed on our register, they are not a current Federation of Damp member, whatever certificate they show you.Damp is often misdiagnosed
Getting the diagnosis wrong is what costs homeowners money. The wrong treatment does not fix the real problem, so the damp comes back. Our members are trained to find the true cause first.
Incorrect treatments
Cosmetic fixes that mask the symptom instead of resolving the cause.
Ongoing problems
Damp that returns within months because the source was never addressed.
Unnecessary cost
Paying twice: once for a treatment that fails, and again for the proper fix.
What every member passes before they are listed
Membership is not granted on a certificate alone. Each applicant is assessed against the following before they appear on the register.
Completed training or recognised equivalent
Members either complete Federation of Damp certification or hold a recognised equivalent qualification and pass our assessment. Our own certification courses, the FODCS surveyor and FODCT technician certifications, are independently City & Guilds Assured. We accept completed training only, not those still working toward it, and every member must know the Federation of Damp approach to diagnosis.
Proven experience and quality of work
Applicants provide evidence of real-world experience and examples of completed work, so competence is demonstrated, not just claimed.
Verified public liability insurance
We confirm members carry valid public liability insurance, so work carried out on your home is properly covered.
Business and identity verification
We check the business and trading status behind the application, so homeowners know exactly who they are dealing with.
Commitment to the 7-Step Survey Method
Members agree to follow our structured diagnostic method and our Code of Conduct and Ethics on every job they take on.
Ongoing standards and review
Membership is current, not historic. Members remain subject to our standards, conduct expectations and homeowner feedback for as long as they are listed.
Members who certify with us earn a City & Guilds Assured credential. Our FODCS surveyor and FODCT technician certifications are independently City & Guilds Assured and CPD certified, so the training standard behind membership is externally quality-checked.
Proper diagnosis before any treatment
Every member follows the same structured principle, so surveys are consistent, evidence-based and free of guesswork.
No treatment is ever recommended without a full investigation of the property first. This is the difference between fixing the cause and selling a treatment.
Membership comes with accountability
Vetting is only half of what protects you. Because every listed member agrees to uphold Federation of Damp standards, you have a route to recourse if something goes wrong. You can raise a formal complaint with us, and we will review it against the standards the member signed up to.
A certificate cannot be held to account. A current member can.This is what separates a verified member from a contractor who simply owns a certificate.
Raise a complaint with the Federation
If you hired a specialist from our register and something has gone wrong, tell us. We will review it against the standards your specialist agreed to when they joined.
Raise a complaintWhat you get from choosing a verified member
Accurate diagnosis, not guesswork
Members are trained to identify the true cause of damp before recommending any work, so you avoid costly misdiagnosis.
Solutions that last
Our members aim to resolve the root cause, not just treat the symptom, so the problem does not keep coming back.
Honest, transparent advice
Members follow our Code of Conduct and Ethics, which means honest assessments and clear, transparent pricing.
A genuine route to recourse
If you are unhappy with the work, our complaints process gives you somewhere to turn. A certificate alone never can.
Standards and vetting, explained
What is the difference between a certificate and Federation of Damp membership?
What checks does a member pass before being listed?
Are your certification courses City & Guilds Assured?
Do you accept members who are still training?
Is the Federation of Damp a government regulator?
How do I confirm someone is a current member?
What if I am unhappy with a member's work?
Find a vetted, verified specialist near you
Search the register to find a current Federation of Damp member who is trained, insured and accountable to our standards today.
