Research by the Federation of Master Builders has found that 20% of homeowners in Northern Ireland (NI) have lost money to unqualified builders
The country has seen an average loss of £493 per household to Northern Irish rogue builders, contributing to the £14.3bn lost across the UK
This marks a dangerous precedent where rising costs are causing many homeowners to take cheaper routes for important works.
Northern Ireland requires the most payment plans in the UK
The research found that 27% of households have hired unreliable builders, and 10% have hired wholly unqualified builders.
Furthermore, 15% of NI homeowners have had to request a payment plan from their builder, compared with a UK average of 9%. 11% have also needed to take on a second job to cover the cost of building work.
A worrying 37% have indicated they have never hired a builder at all, opening the door for issues with deferred maintenance and a deteriorating housing stock, as well as financial constraints.
The FMB are taking the findings of this report to further support their campaign to introduce mandatory licensing.
“We’re witnessing a maintenance crisis”
Gavin McGuire, hub director of Northern Ireland for the Federation of Master Builders, said: “These figures show that Northern Ireland families are being hit harder than anywhere else in the UK. When 15% of homeowners are asking builders for payment plans – nearly 70% above the national average – we’re not just talking about rogue traders, we’re talking about a cost-of-living crisis that’s leaving people unable to keep their homes safe and habitable.
“The £493 average loss might not sound enormous, but for families already struggling, that’s money they can’t afford to lose. And that’s just the financial cost – the real damage is in the unsafe work, the botched repairs, and the complete breakdown of trust in our industry.”
He continued: “That’s why we’re taking this directly to Stormont. On 21 May, we’re hosting a Parliamentary Reception to make the case for mandatory licensing – a system that would vet builders, stop rogue operators from simply rebranding after complaints, and give homeowners the protection they desperately need. This isn’t about red tape; it’s about preventing families from being ripped off and ensuring basic professional standards across the industry.”
Steven Nickell, president of FMB Northern Ireland, said: “As a builder who’s seen first-hand how rogue traders damage trust in our industry, it’s alarming that 20% of homeowners here have lost money to unqualified operators. With families taking second jobs or begging for payment plans just to fix leaks or keep homes habitable, we’re witnessing a maintenance crisis.
“Basic repairs shouldn’t bankrupt households – that’s why mandatory licensing is essential to protect consumers and genuine small builders like myself and other FMB members. We want to raise professional standards, not punish legitimate tradespeople. A licensing system would actually help honest builders by weeding out the cowboys who undercut us and destroy our reputation.”
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