Builders bid to beat ‘cowboys’

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) wants the Government to introduce a scheme to license building companies in a bid to lasso cowboy operators. Setting minimum standards of competence and professionalism for builders could help protect consumers from rogue builders.

Rogue traders are a real concern for thousands of people.

With stories of dishonest and disreputable business practices regularly splashed across the media, it’s easy to feel there aren’t any honest traders out there.

This isn’t the case but, as readers of Raw Deal will know, a significant minority of builders in the market are bad news – for consumers and for honest traders, too.

Research carried out by the FMB, the UK’S largest construction industry trade association, shows almost a third of homeowners are so worried about dodgy builders that they are put off doing major home improvement work altogether.

Currently there is no regulation of building companies in the UK – anyone can set up a business and call themselves a builder. The FMB believes increased regulation would provide a higher level of consumer protection and prevent disreputable individuals trading as builders without the necessary expertise.

The FMB is also calling for mandatory warranties for work that requires Building Regulations approval, and a new “general builder” qualification that would help traders master the skills they need.