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The firm teamed up with Mid and West Wales AM, Joyce Watson, to launch their campaign for better regulation in the building sector at the National Assembly for Wales.
Ms Watson, who has been working with the FMB on their campaign to protect people against rogue traders, said: "The building industry is largely unregulated which means it is possible for anyone to set up a building firm, which can lead to all sorts of problems, even when intentions are good. Other countries have systems of registration for all builders but in Wales we do not. We therefore need to look at other ways to protect homeowners and the public purse.
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"One area that should be looked at is the use of warrantees for all grant-assisted work – at the moment Local Authorities ask for certification and warrantees on all electrical and gas work, damp proof courses and fixed equipment like stairlifts, but not necessarily on structural building work. This can leave both the homeowner and public money unprotected."
David Hill, Director of National Register of Warranted Builders said: "FMB members that have been trading for three years or more have the option to join the National Register of Warranted Builders and offer cost effective MasterBond warranties to their clients. In order to join the National Register of Warranted Builders, FMB members must have their work inspected, they are also re-inspected every three years. The warranty then protects the deposit paid for the work and the work itself from structural problems as well as workmanship problems for between two and ten years depending on the warranty chosen. The housing executive in Northern Ireland which manages Northern Ireland's social housing building and maintenance will only use builders that can offer a warranty. They have found this system has cut down on the amount of lost money, not to mention disputes generally."
(CD/KMcA)
