The FMB has welcomed a new Citizens Advice report backing its call for mandatory licensing of builders, reinforcing the need for stronger consumer protection against rogue traders
The report, titled ‘Built to Fail: How the home repairs market is failing consumers’, adds fresh weight to the FMB’s long-running Licence to Build campaign for mandatory licensing of builders.
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, stated: “This report confirms what we’ve been saying for years – that consumers are being let down by a fragmented, voluntary system that simply isn’t fit for purpose. We’ve long called for mandatory licensing, and it’s encouraging to see Citizens Advice reach the same conclusion.
“Now the government needs to act. Every week without action is another week that vulnerable homeowners are exposed to rogue traders.”
Rogue and cowboy builders are butchering home repairs across the UK
The findings echo the FMB’s research, which found rogue and cowboy builders have cost UK consumers an estimated £14.3bn over the last five years.
It found that more than a quarter (28%) of people who hired a trader for home repairs or improvements in the last 18 months experienced a problem, with those who lost money losing a median of £750, with 11% losing more than £5,000.
It also found consumers using accredited or larger, brand-name traders were no less likely to experience problems than those using sole traders, underlining that voluntary schemes alone are not fixing the market.
Mandatory licensing of builders could help with accountability
One homeowner, Adele Greshon, says her life has become increasingly stressful due to a rogue builder operating in Milton Keynes.
She explained: “Initially, I trusted the builder I hired; he appeared to be reputable, but the work was completed inadequately and was substandard, not meeting building regs and unsafe and will cost me thousands more to put right.
“I had no idea where to turn for help. If a licensing scheme had existed, I’d have known who I could trust and who to hold accountable when things went wrong.”
Mandatory licensing is now being debated in Parliament
The report lands as Parliament prepares to consider legislation that would tackle the issues highlighted.
Mark Garnier’s Domestic Building Works Consumer Protection Bill, which would introduce mandatory licensing, is due to have its second reading in February 2027.
Garnier said: “My Bill would introduce exactly the kind of mandatory protections that the report shows are desperately needed.
“I’ll continue working with the FMB and colleagues from across the House to get legislation in place to stop anyone and everyone from being able to call themselves a builder.”
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