SME register proposed to combat cowboys

The Federation of Master Builders is considering the creation of a registration scheme to stamp out cowboy builders in the SME sector.

If accepted by the government, the register would differ from Trustmark, a similar scheme operated by the state, because it could include tougher training standards and may even include all builders working in the UK.

One of the proposals is that only those listed on the register would be legally allowed to operate in the UK.

It comes as the communities department prepares to launch its own consultation into building regulations for competent person self-certification schemes such as Trustmark.

The FMB scheme would help provide additional assurance to clients that its builders had completed relevant training programmes.

Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the FMB, said: “Currently anyone can claim to be a builder regardless of their experience. A competent builder scheme would help raise standards in the building industry and differentiate experienced builders from the cowboys that give the building industry a bad name.”

Berry confirmed the issue was still at discussion stage.