Press Releases

December 2000
Love And Dedication Earns Builder UK's Top Award

A builder who successfully rescued a derelict 18th century country house after several attempts by other companies has been named Master Builder of the Year 2000. More...

November 2000
FMB Welcomes Changes To Construction Industry Tax Deduction Scheme

Following industry representations, the Inland Revenue has announced, as part of the Chancellor's statement, pre-budget staged, but welcome, changes to the tax deduction scheme. More...

September 2000
Current Government Policies Encourage Cowboy Builders

Current Government policies are encouraging rather than curbing the activities of the cowboy builder. More...

August 2000
Public Still Using Cash-in-Hand Builders and Getting What They Pay For

For the first time ever the number of complaints received by the Office of Fair Trading about cowboy builders has exceeded those concerning the second-hand motor trade – a sure sign that the public have still not learnt to avoid cash-in-hand builders. More...

June 2000
FMB Endorses Naming And Shaming Of Cowboys

The FMB has backed calls to make details of rogue traders, including cowboy builders, available to the public. More...

May 2000
Information Centre First For Building Industry

A new initiative aimed at combating the cowboy builder has been launched in the form of a building information centre situated in a prime site in Neath's town centre. More...

April 2000
Quality Mark Scheme To Combat Cowboy Builders Goes Live

A Call Centre has now gone live in Birmingham to process applications from builders wishing to participate in the Quality Mark pilot scheme being conducted by the City Council. More...

March 2000
Budget A Lost Opportunity To Smash Cowboy Builders

Cowboy builders will continue to prosper thanks to the Chancellor's decision not to reduce VAT from 17.5% to 5% on domestic repair and maintenance work. More...

January 2000
Concerns For Long-Term Health Of Building Industry

An increase in workload is tempered by concerns for the medium and long-term future profitability, reports the Federation of Master Builders in its State of Trade Survey for the 4th Quarter 1999. More...