28/08/2026
Andy Burnham announced the “Trusted builders register” today…
Some well needed regulation on the building industry or another cash cow for the UK government? Only time will tell.
The US has a contractor permit scheme where people have to prove competency before they can undertake construction projects, something like that would be great; but is that what they’re introducing?
Clients can store their money in the governments new platform, which then gets sent to the builder once work is complete to a satisfactory standard.
What happens when there’s a disagreement? Does someone from the governments new scheme come out, assess the work and mediate? How long does it take them to come out? At the moment I can’t get a response from elected officials or any government organisation.
This industry is riddled with rogue traders, but due diligence from clients can save a whole lot of heartache.
Look for a local builder, look at their portfolio, look them up on companies house, see how long they’ve been trading, see if the director has 10+ dissolved companies.
The fact is, everyone is more price conscious and often people are lured in by a cheap quote, sometimes from companies that are based miles away from the project. Then, when they disappear; there’s no way to find or contact them. It’s a civil matter and no one can help.
Personally, I think this is another way for the UK government to get a slice of the pie and if not, then registering should be free. The construction industry is one of the biggest tax contributors to the UK economy and doesn’t need another tax.
Rant over. Enjoy your bank holiday weekend 🫡👷🏻♂️☀️
