29/08/2026
🏗️ DEPOSITS, BUILDERS & THE “COWBOY” PROBLEM
There’s been a lot of discussion today following Andy Burnham’s comments about tackling rogue builders — and as a building company, we wanted to add our perspective.
First, we fully support raising standards in our industry.
Cowboy builders hurt customers, but they also hurt reputable companies that invest in proper insurance, experienced trades, equipment, staff and doing things correctly.
However, we think there needs to be some caution around the discussion about builders taking deposits.
Taking a deposit does not automatically make somebody a cowboy.
On many of the projects we undertake, there are considerable costs before — or very shortly after — work begins.
We may need to secure specialist contractors, order materials, arrange skips and machinery, pay deposits to suppliers, organise Building Control and allocate labour specifically to that project.
On larger extensions and renovations, those commitments can quickly run into tens of thousands of pounds.
It simply isn't reasonable to expect a building company to finance those costs from its own cash reserves.
A professional contractor should have the financial stability to operate a business — absolutely.
But there is a big difference between being financially stable and providing an interest-free loan to fund somebody else's building project.
That's why we believe the conversation should be less about “Should builders take deposits?” and more about:
“How should customer money be protected and managed fairly?”
For us, the answer is transparency.
🏗️ A proper written quotation
đź“„ Clearly defined scope of works
đź’· An agreed payment schedule
📆 Payments appropriate to the stage of the project
🧾 Documentation showing exactly what has been agreed
🤝 Responsibilities clearly understood by both sides
There should be protection for a homeowner handing over their money.
But equally, there should be protection for a contractor committing significant resources and taking on the responsibility of delivering their project.
We would welcome sensible regulation that helps remove rogue traders and raises professional standards across construction, but there also needs to be consideration for the contractor.
