FMB welcomes MP debate on rogue builders as calls for licensing grow

  Posted by: electime      12th November 2025

The introduction of a mandatory licencing scheme is a little closer – as MPs will debate the need to protect consumers from rogue builders in Westminster Hall later this week (Thursday 13 November).

The debate, led by Mark Garnier MBE MP, highlights growing cross-party concern over the billions lost each year to poor quality and unregulated building work.

Recent research from the FMB revealed that homeowners across the UK lose an estimated £14.3 billion annually to rogue or incompetent building work, underscoring the urgent need for reform.

Nearly a quarter of UK homeowners who hire builders have lost money, with the average financial loss totalling around £1,759 over the past five years. Alarmingly, some individuals have experienced losses exceeding £10,000 due to rogue or incompetent building work. On a national scale, these losses amount to an estimated £14.3 billion over the last five years.

A significant portion of these losses, over £4.3bn over the last 5 years has been attributed to losses to rogue builders. Victims often face severe financial strain, with nearly 9% forced into borrowing money or accruing debt to cover builder-related costs. Additionally, around 6% have had to take on extra jobs to manage unexpected expenses, according to the FMB’s research.

The problem is particularly acute in several regional hotspots, including Greater London, Yorkshire & The Humber, East Anglia, and the East Midlands, where rogue builders operate with higher frequency. Compounding the issue is widespread consumer misunderstanding; nearly half of UK adults mistakenly believe that builders must be licensed, highlighting a significant gap in consumer protection under the current system.

Trust in the tradespeople hired is also low, with only 52% of consumers expressing confidence in the builders they engage. This combination of financial loss, emotional distress, and lack of regulatory oversight underscores the urgent need for introducing a mandatory licensing scheme to protect consumers and elevate industry standards.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said:

“The scale of consumer harm caused by rogue builders has been ignored for far too long. Licensing building companies is the single most effective way to stamp out cowboy builders and give homeowners real confidence when commissioning work on their homes. The FMB is delighted that Parliament is shining a spotlight on this issue, and that Mark Garnier MP has managed to secure another debate and raise the issue in the House of Commons. I hope this debate marks the beginning of long overdue legislative change.”

Recent episodes of the FMB’s Build Up Podcast have heard mounting political support for the licensing of builders, as MPs including Mike Reader, Sarah Quigley, and Sir John Hayes publicly backed reforms to ensure higher standards and better consumer protection across the construction industry.

Mark Garnier MP, who secured the debate through the Backbench Business Committee, added:

“The stories of families losing their life savings or living in unsafe homes because of rogue builders are shocking. This debate will call on the Government to act now by introducing a licensing scheme that protects consumers and supports reputable small builders doing the right thing.”

The FMB continues to work closely with MPs across parties to champion consumer protection, raise industry standards, and fight for urgent licensing reform. The planned Westminster Hall debate is a crucial step in pushing government action to end the damaging impact of rogue builders once and for all.

The debate will take place in Westminster Hall on Thursday 13 November and can be watched live on Parliament TV.