Before you hand over a deposit for materials and labour for an extension or loft conversion, run the company through Verafy. The same intelligence that protects M&A deals protects your home project.
Check a Builder NowJust the one job? A single report is £25 — about the price of a takeaway, and it could save you from a cowboy. Need to check trades regularly? See subscription plans →
Confirm the company is genuinely registered and still active — not dissolved or trading under a borrowed name.
See the director's full history — how many other companies they've run into liquidation before yours.
Spot phoenix operators who dissolve after taking deposits and reopen under a near-identical name to dodge warranty claims.
Check for CCJs and insolvency history before you sign anything or pay a penny.
How do I check if a builder is a real registered company?
Search their company name or number on Verafy — it pulls the live Companies House register, so you can confirm the business is genuinely incorporated, still active, and trading under the name they've given you, not a dissolved shell or an unregistered sole trader posing as a limited company.
What is a "phoenix" building company?
A phoenix company is one that deliberately goes into liquidation — often after taking customer deposits and leaving work unfinished — then the same director opens a near-identical new company to dodge the debts and warranty claims. Verafy's Compliance Score specifically flags directors with a history of this pattern.
Is checking a builder on Verafy free?
A single report is £25 — about the price of a takeaway, and less than most call-out fees — covering the full director history, insolvency record, and risk score for that one company, no subscription needed.