Homeowners wanting building work done to their homes can have increased confidence when choosing a Federation of Master Builders (FMB) member from today as all new members will be required to have their work inspected.

Building companies wishing to join the FMB already have to prove they have been trading for 12 months or more, have liability insurance, are VAT registered (if applicable), pass various financial and public record checks as well as provide a professional referee. Now they will have to undergo an inspection.

Richard Diment, Director General of the FMB said: "Inspecting the work of our new members is a further step forward for both members and their clients to raise standards in the building industry. It shows that FMB builders have high standards of workmanship as well as having good business acumen. The introduction of inspections is part of an ongoing process of professionalization for the FMB and its members. We believe our members are the best in construction and the inspection helps prove that."


Mr Diment continued: "According to Trading Standards each year home owners in the UK give £170million to rogue traders. The increase in VAT earlier this year will only add to this as more homeowners take a gamble and use a builder who claims he can make VAT disappear. But we know this is a false economy and many homeowners lose money or have to pay more to have work put right. Using an FMB member means using a builder who has undergone checks and shown the company wants to behave responsibly. Plus if something were to go wrong you can turn to the FMB's complaints procedure."

(CD)