NEW research has revealed that 81% of homeowners across Britain back mandatory licensing for builders to set minimum competency standards.
The survey, commissioned by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the HomeOwners Alliance (HOA), highlights widespread misunderstanding, with nearly half of UK adults wrongly believing licensing is already a legal requirement.
This support is said to reflect growing frustration with poor standards and the prevalence of rogue traders. Over half of respondents said they have had a negative experience with a builder, while almost 90% believe the government should criminalise rogue and incompetent builders.
The findings also show that 77% of small and medium-sized construction firms support licensing in a bid to professionalise the industry and protect consumers, while 86% of builders are calling for the government to introduce a mandatory licensing regime.
Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said, “Now is the time for change, with over 80% of homeowners backing mandatory licensing. Politicians from all sides need to rally behind the public and introduce a strong safeguard – licensing.
“The message couldn’t be louder or clearer – homeowners want protection from rogue builders. Shockingly, nearly half of UK homeowners wrongly assume builders are already licenced, which shows just how urgently we need reform.
“Time is up for anyone to call themselves a builder; it must be a protected job with minimum competence. The government must step up and bring in a licensing scheme that puts quality, safety, and accountability first.”
