ALMOST 80 per cent of builders and homeowners are calling on the Government to introduce a licensing scheme for the UK construction industry to stamp out rogue traders once and for all, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The FMB has published an independent research report by Pye Tait entitled Licence to build: A pathway to licensing UK construction, which details the benefits of introducing a licensing scheme for the whole construction industry and puts forward a proposal for how it could work.

Also, new consumer research undertaken by the FMB reveals the impact poor quality building firms are having on consumers and demonstrates that most home owners support the introduction of a mandatory licensing scheme.

The research shows that 77 per cent of small and medium-sized construction firms support the introduction of licensing to professionalise the industry, protect consumers and sideline the cowboys.

Over half of people (55 per cent) who commission home improvement work have had a negative experience with their builder.

The research report was launched at a high profile event in the House of Lords last week.

Chief executive of the FMB Brian Berry said: “The vast majority of builders and home owners want to see the construction industry professionalised and it is time for the Government to act.

“It’s unacceptable that more than half of consumers have had a negative experience with their builder.

“However, we shouldn’t be surprised by this given that in the UK, it is perfectly legal for anyone to set up a building firm and start selling their services without any prior experience or qualifications.

“In countries like Australia and Germany, building firms require a licence and we want to see the UK Government regulate our industry in a similar manner.”

Mr Berry said that administering such a scheme needn’t be too costly or bureaucratic.

“We are suggesting that the scheme covers all paid-for construction work by firms of all sizes, not just those working in the domestic sector,” he said.

“Fees should be tiered and could start at as little as £150 every three to five years, with the largest contractors paying around £1,000 over the same period.

“In terms of how it’s governed, the licence should be administered by a single authority with a broad range of scheme providers sitting underneath.

“We are now keen to reach out to the whole construction sector to get their input on the proposal.

“If we can demonstrate broad support for this approach, we are optimistic that the Government will take it forward.”