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The largest trade organisation representing the building industry, the Federation of Master Builders, (FMB), has backed calls made at the Institute of Trading Standards Administration conference to make details of rogue traders, including cowboy builders, available to the public.
The proposal that the names of builders with prosecutions or warnings should be freely available to consumers comes when the government is formulating the forthcoming Consumer Bill, the white paper for which has been published. It has also be suggested that a league table of complaints should be published.
At the conference, Surrey's County Trading Standards Officer, Peter Denard, said:
"The public are crying out for this information. We already publicise details of prosecution cases that we take, but that is only in the public eye for a short space of time and the often the sentences imposed are no deterrent.
"What we'd really like to see is a web site and listings that consumers could search so that they can stay clear of businesses who not only break the law, but who also act unfairly and cause high levels of complaints for consumers."
Ian Davis, Director General of the FMB, said:
"The FMB welcomes all initiatives that will tackle the real rogues, those who prey on the old and vulnerable and who give reputable builders a bad name. However, listing complaints as well as convictions and warnings could be misleading. If a firm has one complaint but does a thousand good jobs should it be 'blackballed'?
"The FMB also believes that builders should be able to ask customers themselves if they have had a judgement made against them, for example for non-payment. Furthermore, reputable firms have to be protected against spurious complaints by those seeking to damage the firm's reputations or evade their own obligations to deal fairly with small businesses."
The fact that the vast majority of builders are professional tradesmen is demonstrated by the annual Master Builder of the Year Awards. The Awards, organised by the FMB in conjunction with Jewsons, the Builders Merchants, aim to promote the positive side of the building industry and educate consumers on how to choose a reputable builder.
Builder's can score highly for outstanding workmanship and service, meeting the budget, and making that extra effort for customers. The prizes include holidays to the value of £1,500 for both customer and builder. The closing date for nominations for the Awards is 14 July 2000. Both customers and builders can call 0800 917 8553 for an entry form.
Ian Davis added:
"Consumers should always employ a member of a reputable trade organisation who also provides an insurance-backed warranty, such as the FMB's MasterBond, and check with that organisation to confirm their membership."
Further Information
For further information, please contact:
Federation of Master Builders
Gordon Fisher House
14-15 Great James Street
Holborn
London
WC1N 3DP
Tel: 020 7242 7583
Fax: 020 7404 0296
First posted: 29 June 2000. Last modified: .
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