The government has launched a crackdown on 'cowboy builders' and is moving to close loopholes used by rogue operators. These measures aim to improve standards across residential construction and offer greater consumer protection for building and home improvement work.
The Department for Business, Skills, Innovation and Trade (DBIST) has announced plans to make it easier for consumers to identify competent traders through an approved code. The government is also supporting a Trusted Payment Scheme, which would release funds for building work as agreed stages of a project are completed.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has backed the initiative, noting that fraudulent and substandard building work continues to cause significant financial losses for consumers. CTSI figures indicate that consumers lost over £10.3 billion through home and garden maintenance work in 2024 due to losses, excessive charges, or unfair practices.
CTSI chief executive John Herriman welcomed the announcement but expressed concern that funding initiatives like the Warm Homes Plan could create opportunities for fraudulent trades. CTSI is urging the government to introduce a mandatory licence for tradespeople in the home repair and maintenance sector to simplify prosecution of fraudulent operators.
The Approved Code Scheme, in collaboration with CTSI and the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO), is developing an approved code for the home improvement sector, which FHIO plans to launch this autumn. The government is also reviewing the wider consumer protection and Trading Standards system, with CTSI contributing to this review.