Formed in 1979, the NICF is today a leading trade association supporting professionals working in the domestic flooring sector. The NICF furthers the interests of its members by promoting excellence in the fields of carpet, laminate, luxury vinyl tile fitting, naturals, sheet vinyl and timber installation.
The aim of the NICF has always been to promote excellence, by encouraging the understanding and awareness of the British Standards Code of Practice for the installation of floor coverings, and to provide assurance of quality of workmanship to the public.
The NICF rebranded as the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers in 1998 (originally they were the National Institute of Carpet Fitters) in order to recognise those members who were multi-skilled and also in order to support vinyl fitters, wood and laminate fitters and vinyl tile fitters.
In the same year the NICF in conjunction with the Contract Flooring Association (CFA) formed the Flooring Industry Training Association, FITA, and set up a state-of-the art training facility in Loughborough. More recently FITA has opened a similar training facility in Kirkcaldy, Scotland with all standard courses and workshops available from that location. Its training courses are suitable for newcomers to the trade, as well as for experienced fitters wishing to improve their skills.
One of the benefits of membership of the NICF is eligibility for 15% off the cost of FITA’s standard courses and workshops, as well as discounts on carpet adhesive, sanitisers, flooring accessories tools and workwear.
Membership includes the use of the NICF logo for vans, stationery, emails and websites, which demonstrates to your customers and the wider industry that you have been independently audited. Members are also listed on the NICF website and directory, attracting work. We provide a whole host of free benefit helplines covering areas such as legal advice, technical support, health & safety and employment law. And NICF provides members with regular updates via our bi-monthly newsletter, website and forums. These were particularly helpful during the pandemic, and included government updates that were relevant to our sector, industry news, grants and funding available and support to help members keep working safely.
If you are interested in joining the NICF, there are four different membership categories, covering all levels of carpet fitting and floor laying. Full details can be found on the NICF website.
