UK government launches crackdown on rogue builders

The UK government has announced new measures to protect homeowners from ‘cowboy builders’ through a dedicated database of trusted traders and a new payment system. Launching next month, the scheme will require participating tradespeople to demonstrate specific standards regarding customer service, transparency, and dispute resolution.

To prevent financial loss, a new payment system will allow funds to be held in an account and released in stages only after specific project milestones are completed. This aims to address issues where builders disappear after receiving upfront payments. According to a survey by the Competition and Markets Authority, customers lost an estimated £10bn in 2024 due to overpriced costs, unfair practices, or losses related to home and garden maintenance.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that unscrupulous tradespeople leave families with months of stress and unfinished work. While the government intends to protect consumers and support reputable traders, the National Federation of Builders expressed skepticism, questioning if the scheme will effectively stop bad actors. The organization suggested that a ‘passport’ system recording all work done on a project might be a more effective approach.