BEA offers a telephone and email helpline, as a benefit of membership, to all FBE members. By telephoning 0871 811 0052 between the hours of 8am–5pm Monday to Friday or emailing bea.advice@fbe-org.co.uk members can access the helpline, which will endeavour to answer issues members might have in the fields of construction disputes, mediation and dispute resolution.

How does it work?
All calls made directly to the independent 0871 telephone number are answered as the FBE helpline. The line has a message function available when an advisor is away from their desk. The system records calls so no details of the conversation will be lost. This allows the advisor not only to deal with the question while on the phone, but also to refer back to it should further research be required.

Benefits to Members
First and foremost it is free advice in the first instance (up to one hour) to anyone who is a member, and it is completely independent. It offers the enquirer the chance to converse with those who specialise in the field of construction disputes.

Advisors are appropriately qualified covering a wide range of disciplines, including:
•    Fellow, The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS)
•    BSc Quantity Surveying
•    Associate of the Academy of Experts (TAE)
•    Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
•    Fellow, The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb)
•    Fellow, The Chartered Institute of Building (FCIOB)
•    Member, Institute of Highways and Transportation (MIHT)
•    Member, Federation of the Master of Builders (FMB)
•    Fellow, Forum for the Built Environment (FFB)
•    Barrister (Non-practising)
•    Legum Baccalaureus LLB (Hons)
•    Diploma in Arbitration (Dip Arb)
•    Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (Dip OSH).

Experience offered
The helpline will provide FBE members with the expertise, experience and resources to help overcome the issues they have. The focus will always be on providing a prompt, friendly and efficient service to members, specifically tailored to their individual requirements.

Referral to Specialists
All issues that are unable to be resolved can be referred to a specialist who will also be an FBE member. This keeps the advice ‘in house’, providing a further benefit to members as their potential client base increases.

Insurance
All advisors are covered by BEA’s Professional Indemnity insurance up to £1m.
[FBE also has appropriate levels of Professional Indemnity insurance.]