Associate Membership - KickStart

FIS recognises that many companies value FIS accredited membership, but currently do not meet its strict vetting criteria. Part of any trade association’s remit is to raise industry standards, be it through education, training or practical advice. KickStart has been designed to do just that and help you build a better business.

Why should you consider joining the FIS?

The first couple of years for any new building are the hardest – luckily for you, FIS is here to help.  We are the trade association for the Finishes and Interiors Sector, a growing community of fit-out contractors and contractors, installers and suppliers of ceilings, steel framing systems, partitions, operable walls, plastering and drylining.  We are run as a not-for-profit company and our Board of Directors are all (non paid) members of the organisation.  Through their leadership and working closely members through daily contact, our specialist working groups and regional contractor forums our team provide targeted support to help set and raise standards and support the day-to-day challenges of businesses in this sector.

Expert Advice

FIS offers you access to independent and expert advice and knowledge:

  • FIS can help you overcome obstacles, managing difficult clients and plan change.
  • We publish expert client guides in office fit-out and refurbishment and acoustics, best practice guides in drylining, partitions, suspended ceilings, technical notes and a BIM toolbox for contractors.
  • We have an extensive online knowledge hub, supported by a dedicated advisory service and helpline, including a technical team to answer your queries.

Managing your Risk

FIS will help you to identify your risks and how to overcome them:

  • Evidence of compliance and competence by using our simple Product, Process, People (PPP) model.
  • Access our Health and Safety Toolkit.
  • Access our Contractual Tool kit (including a no win, no fee retention claims service).

    Winning Work

    FIS promotes its members through an extensive outreach programme:

    • Members are promoted to the construction sector via our online Member Directory Search (over 14,000 searches in 2018).
    • SpecFinish magazine reaches an audience of 30,000 specifiers, installers and suppliers.  Members get preferential opportunities for editorial coverage (online and in the printed magazine)
    • Our partnership with Barbour ABI and the Interiors Fit-out Hub
    • Promotes best practice in the UK through the prestigious Finishes and Interiors Sector Awards.
    • We deliver CPD and have regular dialogue with clients, specifiers, main contractors and other key stakeholders (who often participate in our working groups).
    • Throughout the year suppliers have the opportunity to attend, participate and, where appropriate, sponsor FIS events and activities

      Saving you money

      FIS as well as developing support tools and information, FIS works with partners to highlight opportunities and negotiate premium service or discounts:

      • FIS Members and their teams can access a basket of discounted services through the FIS.
      • We have negotiated tailored insurance packages for members
      • We have expertise available to help you to identify and secure training and local business grants and R&D Tax Credits.

      A dynamic community

      FIS draws the community together to encourage collaboration and best practice exchange:

      • Regional Contractor Forums our Annual Conference, Regular Webinars, and SpecFinish magazine.
      • Regular specialist working groups in drylining, heritage plastering, operable walls, ceilings, partitions, digital construction, health and safety, steel framing systems and women in fit-out.
      • Members can access our monthly special interest webinars and online meetings too

      Delivering Skills

      FIS is providing the training and skills the sector needs:

      • Our dedicated skills team works with a network of Approved Training Providers and FE colleges to attract new people to the sector and deliver a qualified and competent workforce.
      • On average FIS members claiming grants, with the support of FIS, recoup 25% more return on their levy than non-members.
      • We don’t just develop and help source training, we also help find a way to fund it.

        Membership criteria

        KickStart members:

        Code of Conduct

        On being accepted into the Association, all members agree to subscribe to and abide by the terms of the FIS Code of Conduct (where applicable to your company), which establishes a minimum standard of conduct for members in order to raise and maintain industry standards.

        The FIS code of conduct requires members to:

        • Conduct business in a manner that will reflect credit on the Association, the industry and themselves.
        • Adopt and commit to the principles and practices laid down by FIS.
        • Act with integrity towards others and exercise high standards of business practice and workmanship.
        • Be committed to training its workforce.
        • Ensure that they are conversant with and adhere to the relevant current British, European and International Standards and other relevant technical standards, regulations and practices.
        • Ensure (in so far as they are able) that their products or systems are tested and/or comply with the recognised standards specified by the client or statutory authorities.
        • Not knowingly mislead others by fact or implication as to the performance of their products or systems.
        • Hold required levels of statutory and appropriate insurance.
        • Operate an effective health and safety policy and have a current health and safety policy statement.
        • Keep records of all RIDDOR reportable accidents and provide annual accident statistics to FIS.
        • Have and implement an appropriate environmental policy statement.
        • Display wherever practical the FIS Accredited Member Logo or FIS Associate Member Logo  (as applicable) on its premises, website, business stationery and brochures and make this Code of Practice available for inspection.

        Subscription rates

        KickStart Contractor
        £64 per month
        KickStart Supplier
        £119 per month

         

        Subscriptions are annual (1 January to 31 December) and subject to VAT.  They can be paid annually or by monthly direct debit.

        Members joining FIS are charged a one-off joining fee: £275 + VAT (this part covers the cost of the vetting process).  For Kickstart applicants 50% is payable on application and 50% on transfer to accredited membership.

        We decided to join the FIS to show clients we are a genuine, honest company who wants to install quality installations that are safe by following the best practice guides. Plus, with the various types of help the FIS provides, it is a comfort to know there is always someone or somewhere to go to get advice

        Neil Blunsten

        Pirin Projects Ltd

        Or contact us on 0121 707 0077 and a member of our team will be happy to provide additional information and answer any questions that you may have