Why buy from a KBSA member?

Top ten benefits of buying kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms or home office from a registered KBSA Member.

Financial Protection Scheme

• If you buy from a KBSA retail member you can benefit from either one of the two Consumer Protection Schemes, ConsumerCare Deposit protection or the more comprehensive ConsumerCare Plus Scheme provided by the retail member. You must have proof of cover, by way of your insurance certificate, which will be sent out to you within approx ten days of the retail member registering your contract. You can also telephone the insurance helpline at QANW who administer the scheme – on 01292 268020, to confirm that your contract has been registered onto the scheme and you have cover. If you do not have this proof you may not be covered.

• KBSA retail members will usually only ask for a 25% deposit once a kitchen, bathroom or bedroom plan has been agreed. Be wary of companies who ask for full payment up front!

Design and installation expertise

• All KBSA retail members offer a design and installation service, and will take full legal responsibility for all the work involved in the contract, including the fitting of units, plumbing (gas and water) and electrics.

Reliable, consistant service and installation

• Where you see the KBSA logo you can be reassured that you are dealing with a reputable and reliable company.

• All KBSA retail members are required to have been trading solvently for over two years. You can rest assured that none of them are ‘fly by night’ companies.

• KBSA retail members are continuously vetted by our officers to ensure they continue to uphold the high standards of the Association.

• All KBSA retail members have their own showrooms with permanently fitted displays, so that you can personally check and see the quality of the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom you are buying.

• KBSA retail members will be able to supply all the products that they have on display.

Backed by the KBSA

• The KBSA operates a comprehensive complaints procedure and all complaints are investigated.

• Using a KBSA retail member offers you peace of mind!

Buying advice for Home Improvements

The KBSA has produced a FREE Consumer Guide which contains practical advice for consumers who are considering buying a new kitchen, bedroom, bathroom or home office.
Your home improvement project may entail a substantial investment so it pays to get the best possible independent information and advice before you begin.
It’s crucial to work with a supplier you can trust and with a KBSA retailer you will feel safe in the knowledge that the design and installation of your bathroom will be handled by a professional.
All KBSA members are carefully vetted prior to admission and they must have been trading for at least two years in order to be considered for membership. The high standards and strict monitoring applied by the KBSA to its members means that they are able to offer exceptionally comprehensive protection, free of charge, for consumers, in case of the member retailer ceasing to trade.
The Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Specialists Association (KBSA) is the body, similar to that of ABTA, which sets the standard for professionalism in the home improvement industry. With over 300 kitchen, bedroom and bathroom retailers nationwide, the KBSA offers consumers peace of mind and security.

Buying guidelines from the KBSA

• No-one would buy a car without test driving it first, and your new room can carry a similar price tag. Make sure you visit a showroom and see exactly what you are buying and check out the quality for yourself. All KBSA retailers have their own showrooms with permanently fitted displays, and are continuously vetted to ensure they maintain the high standards required for KBSA membership.

• Choose a retailer with a track record of good installations and ask to speak to some past customer and even visit them in their homes if possible.

• Be careful about paying in full in advance. You should not pay a deposit of more than 25% and it is likely that you will be required to make an interim payment, ask for a written payment schedule which includes the timings of any interim payment and final retention.

• Make sure you have a written quotation that covers every aspect of the job, including fitting, flooring and any structural alterations you may have discussed.

ConsumerCare Plus Insurance

Some KBSA Members freely provide additional protection for their customers, in the form of the KBSA ConsumerCare Plus scheme. Your retailer registers your contract, after which you will receive your certificate of insurance directly from our insurer. Remember, no certificate no cover!
The KBSA ConsumerCare Plus Deposit Protection and Work in Progress Cover provides protection in respect of the loss of Deposit Payments (to a maximum of 50% of the total contract price) for a period of up to 162 days prior to the practical completion of a contract, in the event that the KBSA Contractor has Ceased to trade for specifically defined reasons and is therefore is unable to commence or complete the installation.
The KBSA ConsumerCare Plus Workmanship Warranty provides protection for the Policy Holder in respect of the cost of rectifying workmanship defects, and this policy is split into two sections of cover.
The Warranty section of cover runs for a period of 2 years from the completion of the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or home office installation and provides protection for the Policy Holder in the event that the original Contractor has Ceased to Trade and is therefore unable to honour their obligations in terms of the cost of rectification works that is required to rectify faulty workmanship, originally carried out by or the responsibility of the Contractor.
The Major Defects section of cover commences on the expiry of the Warranty period and runs for a further period of 4 years. This provides protection for the Policy Holder in the event that a Major Defect has occurred. A Major Defect is considered to be an acknowledged defect which is caused by defective workmanship carried out by or which is the responsibility of the Contractor which results in rectification work to over 40% of the Insured Works.
The ConsumerCare Plus Insurance Scheme is administered by QANW, and should you have any queries about the scheme, it’s workings, policy limits or would like to seek confirmation of cover, you must direct these enquires to QANW (Tel: 01292 268020).
Please Note:
This summary is for information purposes only, does not contain the full terms and conditions of the KBSA ConsumerCare Plus Insurance Scheme and does not form part of a contract of insurance. No cover is in place until the customer is in receipt of a Policy of Insurance in their favour, which was provided to them by QANW.

KBSA Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where do I find my nearest KBSA retail member?
You can find your nearest KBSA retail member either by calling 01623 818808 or on the KBSA website by clicking on the ‘Find a specialist’ link and inputting your postcode.

2. How do I know that the retailer’s membership is up to date?
Look for an up-to-date certificate, which should be on display in the showroom. You can also check whether a retailer’s membership is up-to-date by calling the KBSA on 01623 818808.

3. Why should I use a KBSA retail member?
KBSA retailers offer the consumer peace of mind, as all members are carefully vetted prior to admission and they must have been trading for at least two years in order to be considered for membership. The high standards and strict monitoring applied by the KBSA to its members means that they are able to offer exceptionally comprehensive protection, free of charge, for consumers, in case of the member retailer ceasing to trade. All members offer either a ConsumerCare Deposit Protection Scheme or a more comprehensive ConsumerCare Plus Scheme which cover the deposit, advanced payments, work-in-progress and a 6-year warranty.

4. Where can I find information on ConsumerCare Deposit Protection and ConsumerCare Plus?
You can find more information from either the website or from the free KBSA consumer guide, which you can download from the KBSA website or order by calling 01623 818808

TrustMark approved tradesmen :

key benefits
What is TrustMark
TrustMark is a quality mark which operates a framework under which 30 plus scheme operators work in the RMI (repair, maintenance and improvement) sector, including trade associations, local government trading standards teams, and independent scheme operators. These schemes are approved to carry the TrustMark logo and recruit reputable and trustworthy tradesmen. This enables the TrustMark scheme operators to promote improved RMI sector standards, and tackle related issues such as better enforcement. All of these scheme operators are audited annually by TrustMark, to ensure processes, standards and complaint procedures are being maintained.
What makes selecting TrustMark tradesmen so worthwhile?
1. A firm's technical skills have been independently checked through regular on-site inspections, as well as checks on their trading record and financial status;
2. Firms have signed up to a code of practice that includes insurance, good health and safety practices and customer care;
3. The approved scheme operator has checked and will continue to monitor the firm's quality of work, trading practices and customer satisfaction;
4. Firms are able to offer an Insurance Backed Warranty;
5. Deposit Protection Insurance is available for consumers in the event a firm should cease trading;
6. Firms will be able to tell you about any building regulations you must comply with and may also be able to provide appropriate certificates;
7. If you have a problem or disagreement with the firm, there will be a clear and user-friendly complaints procedure to help resolve the issue;
8. The scheme is fully supported by Government, the building industry and consumer protection groups.
9. All of these checks will give you - Peace of Mind
If a firm displays our TrustMark logo you know that we have approved and inspected the firm through one of our scheme operators and found that the firm meets the required Government endorsed criteria as described above.
Important Note: When employing a TrustMark tradesman always check they are 'licensed' for all the trades / work you are asking them to carry out. This can be done by looking on our website by searching under the 'trade' then 'their company name' and finally 'more information' - you will then see a list of the 'only' trades that the firm is licensed for under the protection and standards offered by TrustMark..