A new survey by the HomeOwners Alliance and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) uncovers a widespread misconception among the UK public: nearly half of UK adults and 39% of UK homeowners believe builders are legally licensed, when in fact no licensing requirements currently exists.
The lack of regulation means there are no legal safeguards to ensure builders meet basic standards, contributing to widespread consumer misconceptions and negative experiences.
The two organisations are urgently calling for a mandatory licensing scheme for builders, arguing that the absence of regulation leaves homeowners vulnerable to rogue traders and unqualified operators. Unlikeelectricians 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.
The public clearly supports reform, with 8 in 10 homeowners 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 its 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 that is 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."
Here is what the victims of cowboy builders are saying:
Gerard Neil – Ealing North
“For the past eight years, my life and those of my neighbours have been turned upside down by the actions of an unregulated property developer next door. What should have been a peaceful retirement has instead been marked by constant distress: illegal developments, loss of sunlight and privacy, and, most damagingly, persistent flooding from raised and paved gardens that now send thousands of litres of runoff onto my property every time it rains. Despite years of work by our local planning authority,there has been no resolution—remediation has been incomplete, and the enforcement notice was ultimately undermined. The lack of regulation and accountability for property developers has left us with permanent damage and no practical recourse, as legal action is simply unaffordable. This experience has shown me how urgently we need stronger protections and proper regulation to prevent others from suffering as we have."
Mary Lukins - Southampton
“Entrusting my life savings to a builder I found on-line for a much-needed extension after my MS diagnosis turned into a horrific ordeal. My home needed future-proofing, but instead, I encountered deception and destruction. After a hefty deposit, promises of materials went unfulfilled, followed by a parade of excuses, including lies about winning disability adaptation contracts. Instead of skilled tradesmen, a crew of unskilled labourers arrived, damaging my property and smashing my drains. Now, I am left with a damaged house and a drained pension. Regulation is desperately needed to protect vulnerable homeowners from such predatory practices, and to ensure basic sanitation on building sites."
Michelle Thomas – Clacton on Sea
“After my mum passed away from cancer, I was grieving and vulnerable and unwittingly trusted a builder recommended by a neighbour to build an extension. It was a disaster. The builder quoted £68,000 but was paid £72,425 challenging me to trust him however when I finally stopped work due to a request for an additional £12,000, the work was so substandard that my home was condemned. He ignored building inspectors. My insurance wouldn't help. Trading Standards dismissed it as a civil matter. The stress was unbearable. I felt then and still do, utterly betrayed by every organisation or Institution that is supposed to prevent these criminals. Eventually I had to pay another builder £98,000 to fix the mess, remortgage my home and I now rely on family to survive. We need regulation to stop these criminals from destroying lives."
Rosemary and Phil White - Surrey
"Having had several competitive quotes, we hired this trader in August 2024, paying nearly £4,000 upfront for patio doors and windows. After brickwork had been removed by a reliable builder, he repeatedly delayed installation with excuses, mis-measured twice, and delivered the wrong frames. Communication was appalling; he ignored calls and emails, and we later discovered he was not insured as claimed. When the frames were finally fitted, they were flimsy and dangerously installed—an independent inspector condemnedthe work, leaving our home exposed for months. Despite following all proper procedures, including written requests and visits, he ignored us while continuing to take on other customers. We later learned he’d registered new companies under different names, making it difficult to recover our money. All his glowing reviews turned out to be fake. This experience was financially and emotionally devastating. There is little consumer protection against people like him."
