A new survey by the HomeOwners Alliance and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) uncovers a widespread misconception among UK homeowners: nearly half believe builders are legally licensed, when in fact no licensing requirements currently exists.
The key survey findings include:
- 45% of UK homeowners wrongly believe that builders are licensed.
- 81% support a proposal to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme for residential builders.
- Two-thirds (65%) wrongly expect builders to have insurance to cover accidental damage, but they don’t.
- Almost a third (32%) think they must register with a government or regulatory body, but no such requirements exist.
- Younger homeowners (18-34) are more likely to believe that builders must be registered (66% vs 32% homeowners).
- Female UK homeowners are more likely to expect UK builders to have a license to trade (46%) then male homeowners (32%).
The lack of regulation means there are no legal safeguards to ensure builders meet basic standards, contributing to widespread consumer misconceptions and negative experiences, says the FMB. The two organisations are urgently calling for a mandatory licensing scheme for builders, arguing that absence of regulation leaves homeowners vulnerable to rogue traders and unqualified operators. Unlike electricians or gas engineers, anyone can legally set up as a builder without demonstrating any proof of competence or training.
The campaign for licensing of builders aims to professionalise the construction sector, improve its reputation, and enhance consumer protection by removing unqualified and rogue traders from the industry. The regime should include competence assessments, background checks on trading and financial history, a dispute resolution scheme and a mechanism for licences to be revoked if standards are not met, says the company. The public is said to clearly support reform, with 8 in 10 backing licensing to introduce basic standards and protections.
As part of the campaign for licensing, victims of cowboy builders have shared the devastating impact rogue traders have had on their lives. Victims have described harrowing emotional and financial consequences. Some homeowners describe feeling exhausted, broken, and isolated, often too ashamed to tell family or friends. Rogue traders often target the elderly or vulnerable, using urgent repair scams to extract money.
Paula Higgins, CEO of HomeOwners Alliance, said: “We have supported FMB’s campaign for the licensing of builders for over 10 years and it’s high time the government acted. I would hate to think how many people have fallen victim to rogue traders or poor-quality work, how many millions of pounds of household’s money has been lost and victims left to clear up the mess over the last decade alone. When it comes to appointing a builder, homeowners shouldn’t have to cross their fingers and hope that their builder is one of the good ones. Government needs to protect homeowners through licensing.”
Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, said: “Homeowners having building work done to their homes are at risk unless they carry out background checks. The survey finding that nearly half of homeowners mistakenly believe builders have a licence to trade is very concerning as they could be putting themselves at risk. Building work is often a complex and at times a dangerous job and needs to be underpinned by standards and legal accountability. Successive governments have failed to act to protect homeowners from rogue builders – an unwanted part the industry that is so prolific it has generated its own TV shows. We can’t allow just anyone to call themselves a builder anymore. The Government must step up and bring in a licensing scheme that puts quality, safety, and accountability first.”
www.fmb.org.uk
