Homeowners on the Isle of Wight have lost almost £29million to rogue builders over the past 5 years, according to new research that has prompted fresh calls for mandatory licensing across the construction industry.
The research, commissioned by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), estimates that homeowners in Isle of Wight East have lost £14.35 million, while those in Isle of Wight West have lost £14.62 million – a combined total of almost £29 million.
It also found that 35% of Islanders have hired a builder who later turned out to be unqualified or unlicensed.
Among those who said they had been left out of pocket, around 13% of respondents said their average financial loss was £1,884.
The findings suggest the issue is also affecting home improvement projects, with 16% of Islanders saying they had delayed or abandoned building work because they could not find a builder they trusted.
Meanwhile, almost 7 in 10 respondents (69%) said they would feel more confident choosing a builder if mandatory licensing was introduced.
The Federation of Master Builders is campaigning for the introduction of a mandatory ‘Licence to Build’, arguing that anyone can currently describe themselves as a builder in the UK without qualifications, inspections or independent vetting.
Wootton-based Southside Maintenance Limited, an FMB member, is backing the campaign.
Richard Hopcroft, Director of Southside Maintenance Limited, has said:
“The trust I have with my clients on the Island exists because we’ve been vetted and inspected. Right now, anyone can set themselves up as a builder tomorrow morning with no qualifications and no checks whatsoever.
“It’s Island homeowners and reputable builders who pay the price when it all goes wrong.”
Iain Kirtley, Director of FMB South and the Isle of Wight, has said:
“A Licence to Build would benefit reputable builders but, most importantly, homeowners across the Isle of Wight.
“Our members are vetted and inspected, and we know Islanders value that reassurance. Licensing would give them greater confidence when choosing a builder and help stop people being ripped off.”
Richard Quigley, MP for Isle of Wight West, also backed the proposal.
Richard has said:
“Almost £15 million lost by families in my constituency alone is a staggering figure. Behind every pound of that is an Islander who trusted the wrong person with their home.
“There is no good reason why anyone should be able to call themselves a builder without a single check on their competence. It is honest, hard-working Island tradespeople who are undercut by those who cut corners.”
The figures form part of the Federation of Master Builders’ campaign for a mandatory licensing scheme, which it says would improve standards across the industry while giving homeowners greater confidence when hiring a builder.
