Answers to common questions

1. Using the search

How does the search work?

Choose a location, distance and type of work. Accessible Trades searches active company records whose registered-office postcode is within the selected radius and whose registered activities may match the chosen service.

Can I find accessible home adaptation companies across the UK?

Yes. You can search using towns, cities and postcodes across the UK. Published area evidence pages are available for a growing number of councils and regions, while the main search can be used more widely.

What types of adaptation company can I search for?

Supported searches include accessible bathroom, wet-room and walk-in-shower installers, adapted kitchens, ramps and handrails, wider doors and entrances, stairlifts, home lifts, hoists and wider building adaptations.

Does “all home adaptation trades” include every company?

No. It searches across the home adaptation trade categories supported by Accessible Trades. It is not a search of every company registered at Companies House.

Can I search for a specific company?

Where a company-name field is available, use the legal name or a distinctive part of it alongside your location and distance. Company names can change, so confirm the company number before making contact.

Can I save companies and return to them later?

Yes. Select Save company on a search result to keep that public listing on the Saved companies page. Saved companies are stored only in the browser on that device, no account is required and entries are removed after 180 days. Saving a company does not mean Accessible Trades recommends or endorses it.

Can I access saved companies on another device?

No. Saved companies are currently stored only in the browser where they were saved. They are not synced to an account or sent to Accessible Trades.

2. Understanding results

Why is a company shown in my results?

A company may appear because its registered office is within the chosen distance and its SIC codes indicate a potentially relevant activity. Strong supporting evidence may also allow a company to appear in selected broad adaptation searches.

What are registered activities?

Registered activities are plain-English descriptions based on SIC codes held by Companies House. SIC codes are broad classifications and do not confirm the exact services a company currently provides.

Why are some companies listed before others?

Companies with stronger, current or undated supporting evidence are normally shown before companies matched only by registered activity and location. Distance and other secondary signals may be used within those groups.

3. Evidence and verification

What does “evidence-backed” mean?

It means reviewed public information connects the legal company with relevant adaptation work. Sources may include council records, procurement documents, Disabled Facilities Grant information, home improvement agency material, project information or company websites.

Are the companies council approved?

No. A company appearing in search results is not automatically council approved. Supporting evidence may include a council source, but you should confirm the company’s current status and any local grant requirements directly with the council and company.

Does evidence mean a company is approved or recommended?

No. Evidence indicates that a relevant public source was found and reviewed. It does not guarantee quality, insurance, availability, safety, value for money or suitability for your project.

What is historic evidence?

Historic evidence is verified information about previous relevant work or appointment whose stated period has ended. It may remain useful as background, but it does not confirm a current council appointment or active contract.

How current is the evidence?

Evidence is reviewed when added, but public information can change. Check the source date, validity information and the original source before relying on it.

4. Locations and distances

What address is used for a company?

The location comes from the registered office held by Companies House. It is an official correspondence address and may be an accountant’s office, a home address or another administrative address.

How is distance calculated?

Distance is calculated between your selected search location and the company’s registered-office postcode. It is an approximate straight-line location indicator, not a journey time or route distance.

Does a nearby registered office mean the company serves my area?

No. A nearby registered office does not prove local coverage, while a company farther away may still travel to your address. Confirm service areas and travel charges directly.

5. Choosing a company

What should I check before appointing a company?

Confirm the legal company identity, ask about comparable adaptation work, check appropriate insurance and qualifications, request written quotations and clarify payment stages, guarantees and who will carry out the work.

Does Accessible Trades check workmanship or insurance?

No. Accessible Trades does not inspect work, validate insurance, approve quotations or assess whether a company is suitable for an individual user or property.

Can Accessible Trades help if something goes wrong?

Accessible Trades is not part of the agreement between you and a company. It does not manage contracts, payments, complaints or disputes. Keep written records and seek appropriate independent advice where needed.

6. Funding and Disabled Facilities Grants

What is a Disabled Facilities Grant?

A Disabled Facilities Grant, often called a DFG, can help fund eligible adaptations for a disabled person’s home. Eligibility, assessment, available funding and application processes are managed by the relevant local authority.

Can I search for DFG contractors?

You can search for companies whose registered activities or supporting evidence may relate to home adaptation work. Accessible Trades does not guarantee that a company currently accepts DFG-funded projects or appears on a council contractor list.

Does evidence of DFG work guarantee that my council will use the company?

No. Council arrangements, frameworks and contractor lists can change. Historic DFG evidence may demonstrate previous relevant work but does not confirm current appointment or availability.

Should I begin work before a grant is approved?

Confirm the rules with your local authority before committing to work. Starting work too early may affect grant eligibility or reimbursement.

7. Sponsored content

How can I identify sponsored content?

Paid placements are labelled as sponsored and are kept visually separate from ordinary company results and evidence-backed ranking.

Can a company pay to become evidence-backed?

No. Sponsorship does not create supporting evidence, change evidence status or make a company a verified or recommended provider.

Does sponsorship mean Accessible Trades endorses a company?

No. Sponsored content is advertising. Carry out the same checks you would for any other company before arranging work.

8. About the service

What does Accessible Trades do?

Accessible Trades helps people discover and research potential home adaptation companies using public company information, location data and reviewed supporting evidence.

Does Accessible Trades provide or arrange building work?

No. It is not a contractor, marketplace, surveyor, care provider, grant administrator or professional adviser. It does not provide quotations, bookings or project management.

How can I report incorrect or outdated information?

Contact us with the company name, company number and the information you believe needs review. Include a reliable source where possible.

Where can I read the service limitations?

The About page explains the purpose of the service, while the Terms of Use describe its limitations and user responsibilities in more detail.