FAQ

Getting the Most from ConserveConnect

ConserveConnect is the UK’s specialist network for historic buildings, bringing together property owners, communities, conservation professionals, craftspeople, suppliers and organisations.

This page explains some of the main ConserveConnect features and answers common questions about accounts, professional profiles, membership, directory searches, service requests, reviews, Grant Support and project collaboration.

For more detailed technical guidance, you can also visit the ConserveConnect Knowledge Base & HelpDesk.

ConserveConnect is more than a searchable directory. The directory is one part of a wider network connecting people with conservation expertise, project opportunities, traditional skills, funding pathways and heritage initiatives.

Creating an Account

Do I need an account to use ConserveConnect?

You can browse much of ConserveConnect without an account. A free account is required for functions such as creating or managing profiles, saving listings, submitting certain enquiries and accessing account-based services.

Is it free to create an account?

Yes. Creating a ConserveConnect account is free. Professionals and organisations can also choose between free and paid membership plans depending on the profile features and network access they require.

Create a Free Account


Professional Profiles & Listings

Who can create a professional profile?

ConserveConnect welcomes appropriate professionals, craftspeople, specialist firms, suppliers and organisations working with historic buildings, traditional materials, conservation, repair and related heritage services.

Can I manage more than one listing from an account?

Where the relevant listing type allows it, an account may be used to manage more than one profile or listing. This can be useful for organisations responsible for several services, businesses or related activities.

Does every professional profile require payment?

No. ConserveConnect offers a free Basic membership as well as Standard and Premium membership plans with additional platform features and opportunities.

View Membership Plans & Pricing →


Creating a Professional Listing

The general process is:

  1. Create a ConserveConnect account.
  2. Choose the appropriate profile or listing type.
  3. Provide accurate information about your business, organisation, services, expertise and contact details.
  4. Add appropriate photographs, examples of work and other supporting information.
  5. Confirm that you have read and understood the ConserveConnect Data Protection & Personal Information notice.
  6. Select a membership plan where applicable.
  7. Submit your profile for review.

Read Data Protection & Personal Information →


Membership Plans

What is the difference between Basic, Standard and Premium membership?

Membership plans determine the platform features available to a professional profile, including matters such as specialist categories, service-request access, profile visibility, matching opportunities and selected promotional features.

Does paying for membership give me a ConserveConnect recognition badge?

No. ConserveConnect recognition badges cannot be purchased. Listing suitability, membership and ConserveConnect recognition are separate matters.

Learn about Vetting & Recognition →


Vetting & Recognition

Is every business on ConserveConnect vetted?

All new listings may be reviewed for suitability for the ConserveConnect network. This is different from the separate evidence-based vetting and recognition process through which selected profiles may receive ConserveConnect recognition badges.

What does a recognition badge mean?

A recognition badge indicates that ConserveConnect has assessed relevant information against its published criteria. Recognition is an internal ConserveConnect assessment and is not a statutory or regulatory accreditation, guarantee of future performance or substitute for appropriate project-specific checks.


Searching & Saving Listings

How do I find a conservation specialist?

Use the ConserveConnect directory search to explore professional profiles by service, specialist category, location and other available search criteria.

How do I save a listing?

When the bookmark function is available on a listing, select the bookmark or save option. Saved listings can then be accessed through the relevant area of your account.

Does appearing in search results mean ConserveConnect recommends a particular provider?

No. Search results are intended to help you discover potentially relevant professionals and suppliers. You should still carry out checks appropriate to your project, including qualifications, experience, insurance, references and written quotations where relevant.


Service Requests

What is a Service Request?

A Service Request allows a property owner, organisation or project representative to describe the conservation or historic-building expertise they need so that potentially relevant professionals can be identified through the network.

Does submitting a Service Request cost anything?

Submitting a Service Request is free. You are not obliged to appoint a professional, accept a quotation or proceed with work simply because you have submitted a request.

Does a match mean ConserveConnect recommends the professional?

No. Matching is a discovery tool based on information such as location, services and professional specialisms. It is not a guarantee of suitability or a professional recommendation.

Read the Service Request Agreement →


Reviews

Who can submit a review?

Reviews should be based on a genuine experience with the professional, supplier or organisation concerned. ConserveConnect may request limited evidence where reasonably necessary to assess whether a review reflects a genuine interaction.

Can a business have a negative review removed simply because it disagrees with it?

No. Genuine critical reviews are not removed merely because the business disputes the reviewer’s opinion. Reviews may, however, be investigated where there is a concern about authenticity, unlawful content or compliance with the ConserveConnect review standards.

Read the Review Submission Agreement →


Grant Support

What is ConserveConnect Grant Support?

Grant Support helps owners, communities and organisations begin exploring possible funding pathways, conservation requirements, specialist needs and project-development steps for historic-building and heritage projects.

Is the initial Grant Support enquiry free?

Yes. Creating an account and submitting an initial Grant Support enquiry are free. If a project later requires substantial research, grant preparation, project development or ongoing coordination, any proposed paid service will be explained before you decide whether to proceed.

Does ConserveConnect guarantee grant funding?

No. Funding availability and eligibility depend on the individual programme and project, and funding decisions are made independently by the relevant funder.

See How Grant Support Works →


Advanced Grant Support & Partner Workspace

What is Advanced Grant Support?

Advanced Grant Support is intended for suitable projects that require more structured development, such as project-readiness assessment, grant preparation, specialist coordination, documentation development or longer-term project support.

What is the ConserveConnect Partner Workspace?

The Partner Workspace is a restricted-access environment used for suitable projects requiring more structured collaboration and project coordination. It can provide a place for relevant project information, documentation and invited participants to be brought together.

Explore Advanced Grant Support →


Campaigns

Can a heritage campaign be featured on ConserveConnect?

Suitable heritage and community campaigns may be considered for inclusion where they are consistent with ConserveConnect’s conservation principles and platform standards.

Does being listed mean ConserveConnect guarantees everything a campaign says?

No. Inclusion means that the campaign was considered suitable for the platform at the relevant time. Campaign organisers remain responsible for their own statements, representations and activities.

Read the Ethical Campaign Charter →


Messages & Contact

Can I contact professionals through ConserveConnect?

Where contact or messaging functions are available, they can be used to make initial contact with professionals or respond to relevant enquiries. The precise options available may depend on the listing, account or membership type.

Should I send confidential information through an initial message?

Avoid including unnecessary sensitive, confidential or financial information in initial messages, listings or public project descriptions. Only provide information reasonably necessary for the relevant enquiry.


Privacy & Data Protection

Do I have to “consent to GDPR” to create a listing?

No. ConserveConnect does not treat account registration as blanket consent to every use of personal information. Users are instead asked to read and understand the relevant privacy and data-protection information. Where specific consent is required for a particular activity, it can be requested separately.

Where can I find information about how my personal information is used?

Please see:


Payments & Billing

Where can I see the cost of membership?

Current membership options and prices are shown on the ConserveConnect Plans & Pricing page. Any charge for another ConserveConnect service should be explained before you decide whether to proceed.

Is the Basic membership free?

Yes. The Basic membership provides a free route into the ConserveConnect professional network, while Standard and Premium provide additional features.

View Plans & Pricing →


Need More Help?

If you cannot find the answer you need here, our support resources provide more detailed help with accounts, profiles and use of the platform.

Knowledge Base & HelpDesk

Contact ConserveConnect


Project Collaboration

Projects accepted into more structured support may also use the ConserveConnect Partner Workspace for restricted-access project collaboration and coordination.

The Partner Workspace is separate from the main public ConserveConnect account area and is intended primarily for suitable projects requiring additional project-management or collaboration facilities.

Visit the Partner Workspace

Join Us Today

Create Your Free Account!

Signing up is simple. Create your account, complete your profile, and start exploring opportunities to preserve history and shape the future of heritage conservation. Together, we can ensure that the stories and structures of the past remain vibrant for generations to come. To start your journey with us, a valid email address is required. You'll also need to create a password and agree to terms and conditions.

Get Started

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