1. What to know before you begin
Companies House maintains the UK register of limited companies and makes public information available online.
The register can help you confirm a legal identity and spot inconsistencies, but it does not approve contractors or confirm the quality, safety or suitability of their work.
2. Company identity and status
Company name
This is the registered legal name. A business may also use a trading name, so ask which legal entity will appear on the contract and invoice.
Company number
The number is unique to the company and usually remains the same even if its registered name changes.
Company status
Active means the company remains registered. Other statuses may show that it is dissolved, in liquidation or undergoing another formal process.
Incorporation date
This shows when the company was formed. It does not by itself prove how long the people involved have worked in the trade.
3. Registered offices and associated people
Registered office
This is the official address for company correspondence. It may not be a showroom, workshop or the place from which work is carried out.
Current officers
The register can show current and resigned directors or other officers. Their presence does not by itself confirm who will manage your project.
People with significant control
These records identify people or legal entities with specified forms of ownership or control over the company.
Previous names
A name history can help you connect older references, websites or documents to the same company number.
4. Filings and registered activities
SIC codes
Standard Industrial Classification codes describe categories of activity chosen for the company record. They are broad and do not prove that a particular service is currently offered.
Accounts and confirmation statements
Filing dates can show whether required documents have been submitted, but interpreting accounts may require professional knowledge.
Filing history
The filing history records submitted documents and changes. Read the documents themselves where a filing is important to your decision.
Charges and insolvency information
Some records may show secured lending or formal insolvency information. Their meaning can be complex and should not be guessed from a label alone.
5. What Companies House information cannot confirm
Workmanship
The register does not inspect completed work or confirm that installations meet a customer’s needs.
Current services
A SIC code or company name does not guarantee that the company currently provides ramps, wet rooms, lifts or another specific adaptation.
Insurance and qualifications
Check insurance, memberships, certificates and specialist competence separately and directly with the relevant provider where appropriate.
Accuracy of every filing
Companies submit information to the register. Use the record as one source and investigate inconsistencies rather than treating every entry as independently verified.
6. Common questions
What does active mean on Companies House?
Active means the company remains registered. It does not mean Companies House has approved the company, checked its work or confirmed that it is financially secure.
What is a Companies House registered office?
It is the official address used for company correspondence and public records. It may be an accountant’s office, service address or home rather than an operational business location.
Do SIC codes prove what services a company offers?
No. SIC codes are broad activity classifications selected for the company record. They can indicate possible relevance but should be checked against current company information and direct confirmation.